Creating Better Web Videos: Lighting

I have written articles on lighting concepts and techniques, but this is more for those who create web videos at home. You want to have the best possible lighting for each scene, whatever kind of video you are recording. While today's video cameras can practically see in the dark, there is a noticeable improvement in quality when you light a scene. Shooting outdoors is the easiest way to get a well-lit image, but in reality most video-makers are limited to shooting inside for a variety of reasons. So let's concentrate on lighting scenes indoors.

How many times have you seen videos and the people are in dark shadows? How is this corrected? Your main objective should be for the camera to see whoever or whatever is in front of it. So the answer is to light the scene. Even if your camera can see in the dark, the shot will look visually better if it is lit. People using a pro light kit have the advantage here. For the rest of us there are not many options. The only light-kit you may have is the room's ceiling fixture and a table lamp. Don't despair. There are ways to brighten up a scene with just these lights.

ATTENTION YOUNG ADULTS: Please check with your parents (the homeowners) before doing any of the following suggestions!

One way to brighten things up is by removing the glass cover on the ceiling light. It should be held on with one screw. The room will certainly brighten up. The fixture may even hold two bulbs. Even better! You might consider using 100-watt bulbs for maximum brightness. If you can find them, try using non-frosted bulbs, although you might pay more or sacrifice wattage. Just remember to stand behind the ceiling light so it shines on the actors. Do not stand directly below the light or it will create shadows.

You can also light a scene by using a movable table lamp. Just remove the shade. Again. Consider using a 100-watt bulb when using a table lamp. Move it around wherever you need it. Sometimes I use a desk lamp attached to a gooseneck base. Not only is it extremely versatile and flexible, it has a shade that allows me to aim the light. Its limitation is that I can only use a 60-watt bulb.

Keep in mind that the table lamp should be placed behind the camera and somewhere high, like on a bookshelf. Avoid just setting the lamp on a table. It will cause shadows behind and above your actors. This is okay for horror scenes, but try to get the lamp higher so that the shadows are lowered. This will make the scene look more natural. Another way to avoid shadows when using lights is to have the actors move away from any walls.

For those who create videos by themselves, determining how much light falls on the actor (you) is difficult. To begin with you can't see what the camera sees when you are in the scene. So we will take this into consideration as we move along. What you don't want to do is assume the camera image will stay the same when people enter the shot.

Let's say you look in the camera viewfinder to preview what you are recording. There is no one in the shot but it looks well lit to you. You push the record button and rush over to enter the scene. The camera will self-adjust on anything reflecting back that enters the scene. How the camera reacts next might depend on what color shirt you are wearing, how close it is, your skin tone, etc. For example, if you walk in wearing a white shirt the camera iris will react (go light and dark) to adjust for the new brightness (your white shirt).

Another problem you will run into is called backlight. This occurs when the background lighting is brighter than the light you are using on the actors. If you are using regular house lamps they may not be strong enough to overpower any other light entering the room. This will create shadows on your actors. Here are some suggestions that even someone working alone can do to avoid problems with the camera auto-iris and backlight.

Depending on how wide the shot is, put someone or something around the same height where the action is taking place. Use a friend or your younger sibling on a step stool. Try an upside down broom or mop. Lean it or put it in something to prop it up. You can even use a helium-filled balloon (not shiny metallic ones) attached to a weight. For 'close ups' you can use a basketball on a blanket, or a head-size cardboard box. Just don't use anything reflective or white. The goal here is to have an idea of where the head(s) will be when you shoot the scene. The brightest light must be there. With your 'stand-ins' in place you can now see how the light will fall on them.

Don't forget about backlighting. Remember that the sun is always brighter than any light you have. If you have this problem try putting a blanket over a window. Watch for track lighting or any other light coming from behind. Make sure things like table lamps or a kitchen stove-light cannot be seen in the back. It doesn't have to be completely pitch-black back there. Use them to light up the background if you want. Just move them around or adjust the camera so they are not directly seen in the lens.

One thing I notice with video cutaway shots is that the brightness and color changes. Sometimes it might be darker, other times brighter. Sometimes the video color changes to orange. There are ways to avoid this. The main goal is to match the brightness in each scene with a similar light. With similar light the camera should correct the color automatically. Only IF you hold it steady and give it time to adjust.

Try to get in the habit of using a tripod. If a camera is moving (hand-held shot) its automatic functions (focus, iris, color correction, etc.) are constantly adjusting. You cannot achieve a clean shot with hand-held unless you switch its zoom to manual. Another thing. Don't just try to zoom in for closer shots. A camera lens will correct itself for the shot, but the image and lighting will look different because of how the camera adjusts for distance (focal length). You may also sacrifice image quality by zooming in.

A camera only sees what you show it, and this can be used as an advantage. It can help you to achieve better lighting in your scene. In other words, if you shoot a close cutaway shot your actor does not necessarily have to stand exactly in the same place as in the previous shot. You can fool the camera so it doesn't know you are shooting in a different position

For example, scene #1 is a waist (medium) shot of your actor facing the camera and speaking. He will then turn his head to his right. Scene #2 is a close-up cutaway with the camera on his right. He begins by facing forward, then turns to the camera and continues to speak. He turns his head in both shots so that you can match them in editing. This is called visual continuity.

In regards to lighting, scene #2 is so close that the background is hardly seen. It may even be out of focus. Use this to your advantage. Move the actor and camera to where there is better lighting. Make sure you use the same general background. If you can, set your camera iris to manual and make the background out of focus yourself.

These little tips helps to make your videos look a little more polished. Using everyday house lamps may not produce professional results, but it will certainly make your videos look a whole lot better.