Light it: how to optimize lighting

Choose video recording locations with lighting in mind. Supplement your video shoot with a lighting kit when necessary. Lighting kits are available for loan at the Student Multimedia Design Center.

At the very least, light the face of your subject or the focus of the scene. This is especially important in low ambient lighting. “Natural” lighting that is not manipulated in some way is hardly ever acceptable.

For advanced lighting, use a three-point lighting system:

1. for the face (key)
2. for the back (back)
3. to fill in shadows (fill)

To see how these three lights interact with a subject, try the Three-Point Lighting Simulator from MediaCollege.com.

Analyze the background for sufficient contrast with the subject. Be careful not to create a situation where the contrast is too strong for the camera to adjust to. Keep sources of light just out of the frame. Make sure the greatest intensity of light is in front of the subject. When outdoors, keep all lighting sources, including the sun, behind the camera.

Don't have a lighting kit?
Use available lighting. If you are recording inside during daytime, move the subject closer to a window. At other times, use available light fixtures. Tilt lamp shades or remove the shade entirely to get more light on the subject. In general, incandescent lights are less harsh and produce better color on facial features than fluorescent lights.