When it comes to your video, content is key – but so is lighting! Choosing the right lighting setup can set the mood for your production, add color and texture to a specific scene, and even change the appearance of objects. While the options are endless, there are three main lighting components you’ll want to consider when determining the lighting setup for your video.

Three Point Lighting

Okay, So this is technically three in one, but what can we say? We’re thorough. So let’s talk three point lighting. To put it simply, three point lighting refers to the use of three main forms of lighting techniques:

Key Lighting

You could call this the main “spotlight” of lighting, as it focuses strictly on the “key” subject. It’s advised to install the key light on the same side of the cameras as your subject, but you do have some wiggle room with height to set the mood as well.

Fill Lighting

Consider this a step two after key lighting. This is to “fill” the extra spots of darkness that key lighting might have missed. So if the key lighting is for your spotlight subjects, fill lighting is for the background subjects, objects, etc. Fret not though, there are plenty of ways to dim this lighting if it’s too harsh.

Back Lighting

As the name implies, this lighting is placed behind the main subject. This may be used to illuminate the shadow of the subject to make it stand out. The camera will typically take well to this lighting when the subject is not too close, giving the shadow a chance for the spotlight for a change.

Natural Outdoor Lighting

Shooting outdoors can be interesting. If you’re out on set by early-mid afternoon: you could have all the natural lighting you need. However, with ever changing schedules: shooting a scene at the exact same time for days on end isn’t always possible. But don’t count out the sun for some good natural lighting on a shoot, you never know how things can turn out.

Contrast Lighting

Contrast can often be the defining feature of a video. It can be used to lighten or strengthen shadows of objects, and even create the perfectly lit close up shot. However, It’s important to realize poor contrast can distract your viewers. It can be fun to incorporate into a scene; but be sure it’s done properly and never overdone. Your audience will often love different styles of lighting throughout one video, so try them all out!

Lighting can make or break a video – so make sure you’re choosing wisely. If you still don’t feel like a lighting expert after this blog (ha!), then talk to your video production team about what they’re doing to address lighting in your video. Don’t have a video production team? Well, aren’t you in luck?!