Setting up a videography studio necessitates several considerations, ranging from picking the correct camera to selecting the perfect backdrop. Studio lights for videography, on the other hand, are particularly important. In this article, we will focus on the following topics to dive into the world of studio videography.
- Why lighting is important for studio videography?
- What is the key to good videography studio lighting?
- What are the common types of LED studio lights used in videography?
- Studio light sources recommended under different budgets
Why lighting is important for studio videography?
Lighting is one of the most important aspects of videography. It has the ability to influence viewers' perceptions, direct their attention, and produce real depth in a two-dimensional medium. Controlling light allows your firm or organization to build the ambiance, time of day, and even portray complicated emotions in corporate video productions.
In a studio, lighting is much more important. It gives you complete control over the illumination of your scene, eliminating the unpredictable nature of natural light. The proper lighting setup ensures uniformity, improves visual clarity, and spotlights the subject effectively.
What is the key to good videography studio lighting?
The color rendering index (CRI) compares a light source's ability to correctly reproduce the colors of diverse objects to that of natural light. The television lighting consistency index (TLCI) has established itself as an important assessment indicator in the media sector. The value of these indices, which better describe the requirements of picture recording, should be more than 90.
High TLCI and CRI values (above 90) indicate that the light source properly reproduces colors, resulting in more colorful and realistic visuals. Low values, on the other hand, indicate distorted colors, which can make your film appear unpleasant and amateurish.
What types to choose from?
Studio lights for videography come in different types, including light panels, ring lights, monolight styles, and light wands. They are mainly different in shape and come with various features apt for various videography lighting scenarios.
Light panels: Light panels work nicely for both videography and photography. You receive a continuous light source, as well as intensity, direction, and placement, all of which can be simply adjusted to meet your studio videography needs. These light panels provide full control over color temperature, allowing you to tailor the hue to natural light as needed. Furthermore, because LED panels use less energy than their counterparts, they are also more energy efficient.
Ring lights: Ring lights and content production work hand in hand. So, if you're a makeup influencer, model, artist, YouTuber, or flat-lay photographer, a ring light is a must-have. They are simple to operate and an excellent alternative for natural light. They allow you to shoot around the clock without compromising the quality of the images or videos you take. A professional ring light may quickly improve the video quality by delivering a flicker-free, bright, continuous lighting source.
Monolight styles: Monolight LED lights are an excellent choice for both videographers and photographers. These lights are bright, lightweight, and simple to use. Furthermore, the mono-light type LEDs may be used with modifiers for creating a variety of lighting effects. Mono-light style LEDs are ideal for editorial fashion photographs and product photography because they provide dramatic shadows without distracting from the subject.
Studio lights for videography recommendations: 3 picks for different budgets
Here we will recommend three options according to the budgets. Just choose the one that suits your requirements.
Natural light: Zero budget choice for studio videography
Natural light is a zero-budget option for studio videography. Choose a well-lit location to record (the brighter the better), with the sunshine facing you rather than coming from behind you. Soft lighting is very flattering so try using a curtain to diffuse and soften the light.
The window light serves as the key light. This may result in harsh shadows on the opposite side of your face that is not illuminated. To eliminate shadows, shoot videos straight in front of a huge window. Alternatively, use a sheet of aluminum paper to reflect the light entering through the window and direct it to the darkest side of your face.
You should be very cautious, however. The sun shifts, making it difficult to maintain consistency in your videography. However, with proper preparation and adjustments, you may surely employ natural light sources in your studio videography.
COLBOR CL60M: Studio light for video shooting under $130
The COLBOR CL60M is a 65W studio light for video shooting. It offers 65W of power, which translates to 22540Lux of illumination at 1m away when the CL60M is used with the supplied reflector. This is bright enough to illuminate a small studio on its own. The CL60M boasts great flexibility with PowerCube design and multiple power supplies. You can combine several CL60M to get higher output if needed. Besides AC power, the CL60M can also be powered by a V mount battery, PD power bank, and NP-F batteries. This reduces the limits of the power cord.
Features:
- Illumination: 22,540Lux (at 1m 5600K, with supplied reflector)
- 5600K color temperature to mimic natural light
- 97+ CRI for rendering colors accurately
- Supplied Bowens-mount adapter for attaching light modifiers
- Multiple power supply options, including AC power, V mount battery, PD power bank, and NP-F battery
- PowerCube design for combining several fixtures for higher output
- 7 preset lighting effects
- Wireless app control available
COLBOR CL220: Powerful studio light for videography under $300
The COLBOR CL220 is one of the studio lights for videography that could offer professional lighting setup. Its Bowens mount and NATO grooves allow it to attach to multiple light modifiers and videography gears. This ensures flexible adjustments of videography lighting and gives endless options for studio work. The CL220 features variable color temperatures from 2700K to 6500K, which can be controlled by the onboard knobs or COLBOR Studio App. This app allows remote control over brightness, color temperature, lighting effects, etc., which is useful especially when the light is positioned in a difficult place.
Features:
- Illumination: 52,700Lux (at 1m 5600K, with supplied reflector)
- 2700K-6500K color temperature
- 97+ CRI for accurate color reproduction
- Bowens mount and NATO groove for wide compatibility with light modifiers and filming gears
- Can be powered by AC power and V mount battery
- 10 preset lighting effects for simulating real-life scenarios
- Wireless app control available