How Proper Light Can Save You Hours of Editing

"Action!"—We all recognize this famous movie phrase. However, without proper lighting, it might be better to say "Cut!" to avoid any post-production nightmares.

Lighting in video recording is an element that can make or break your end product, and believe it or not, it even has the power to save you hours of editing. So, let's get a little more illuminated on the idea of using proper light for videos, especially in cases when time is of the essence.

Why Lighting Matters More Than You Think

You might be thinking, "My camera's pretty good. Can't I just fix any lighting issues in post?" Sure, you could try. But why force yourself to tackle a mountain of editing when you can start with almost perfect raw material? 

The right lighting on the set gives you an edge over post-production headaches, refining what your camera captures initially. Professional video lighting is more than just making things visible:

• It sets the mood and tone of your video
• It flatters your subjects
• It adds depth and dimension to your shots
• It helps your camera perform at its best
• It emphasizes and de-emphasizes elements within the frame

Most importantly, proper lighting gives you a solid foundation to work with in editing. But for those who are not familiar with video-enhancing tools, turning a poorly lit, uninspiring footage into the next viral hit will be... well...a challenge. 

Instead of spending hours trying to rescue dark, grainy footage or balance weird color casts, you can focus on the fun stuff, like adding cool effects or perfecting your transitions.

Natural Light vs Artificial Light

The two primary sources of lighting at your disposal are natural and artificial. Let's see how they measure up to each other. Natural light has some major perks:

• It's free (your wallet just breathed a sigh of relief);
• It can look incredibly flattering and natural;
• It changes throughout the day, giving you different "looks" to work with.

But natural light also has its downsides:

• It's unpredictable (clouds, anyone?);
• It can be harsh and create unflattering shadows;
• You're limited to daylight hours for shooting.

Artificial light, on the other hand, gives you way more control:

• You can use it any time of day;
• It's consistent and reliable;
• You can adjust intensity, color, and direction easily.

The downside? Good artificial lighting setups can get pricey, and there's definitely a learning curve to using them effectively.

Types of Video Lights: Picking Your Tools and Technique

Just as each video is different, so too are different types of lighting setups that best suit them. Let’s categorize light into natural and artificial sources, both having their own place in videography based on the scenario.

Lightning types at a glance:

LED Panels

LED panels are a popular type of artificial light for video production. LED panels project a bright, clear light that you can adjust to varying degrees with filters or dimmers. This flexibility makes them ideal for videography lighting in controlled environments. 

Here's why they're awesome:

• They're energy-efficient and don't get hot
• Many models let you adjust color temperature
• They provide a nice, even spread of light
• You can often dim them for precise control
   

Ring Lights

Every vlogger's new-found love now is a ring light. It's an easy way to achieve even, shadow-free lighting. They're especially popular for people filming with a single subject (like themselves) straight on, like for makeup tutorials or direct-to-camera commentary videos. 

These circular lights are perfect for:

• Eliminating harsh shadows on faces
• Creating that signature "catchlight" in the eyes
• Providing even illumination for close-up shots

While they're not as versatile as other options, ring vlogging lights are a quick and simple solution for a lot of common lighting problems.

PRO-TIP: Positioning a ring light directly in front of your face will cause it to reflect from your eyes and (especially) your glasses in a manner that can be pretty distracting. To avoid ring light reflections, position the light just above your field of vision and then angle it down slightly towards your face.

Fresnel Lights

Want to add some drama to your shots? Maybe a Fresnel light is for you. These are adjustable zoom focus lights that can produce a beam of light, much like how a lighthouse works. They're often used in TV and film production to create dynamic "shaft" effects or highly directional lighting. 

They're great for:

• Creating depth in your scene
• Highlighting specific areas or objects
• Adding cinematic flair to your shots

Just be warned: Traditional Fresnel lights can get HOT, so handle with care!

Softboxes

Softboxes are largely recommended for those who favor the "soft light" effect. It's quite similar to diffused window light. It not only brightens up the subject but also reduces heavy shadows, delivering an even tone throughout. 

Their versatility makes them ideal for:

• Minimizing harsh shadows
• Creating a natural-looking light that’s flattering for your skin
• Easily controlling light direction and spread

Tip: Many LED panels come with softbox attachments, giving you the best of both worlds.

How to Set Up Your Lighting

Okay...You have the right tools. Now, what about the technique? Well, there are countless ways to use your lights for different effects and styles. 

Let's cover some simple approaches to start with:

1. What type of video are you filming?

Before you start setting up your lights, it's important to know what kind of video you're making. Different types of videos need different lighting. Take a look at the following table to see what lighting works best for your video type. This will help you choose the right lights and set them up correctly.

2. Assess your space:

• Look for available natural light sources
• Identify potential problem areas (like harsh shadows, reflective surfaces)
• Consider the size of your shooting area

3. Choose your main light source:

• Window light: Great for a soft, natural look
• LED panels: Versatile and easy to control
• Ring lights: Perfect for face-on shots and vlogging

Pro tip: Combine natural and artificial light for the best results. Use window light as your key light and fill in shadows with video lights.

4. Set up your key light:

• Position it at a 45-degree angle to your subject
• Adjust the intensity to avoid overexposure
• Use diffusion if the light is too harsh

Now let's dig into some specific lighting arrangements with different amounts of light sources:

Three-point lighting: This is one of the best lights for video production scenarios when you want to fully illuminate your subject without losing detail. It involves using three types of lights:

1. Key light: This is the primary source of light, usually placed at a 45-degree angle from your subject.
2. Fill light: Positioned opposite to the key light, this softens and reduces shadows cast by the key light.
3. Backlight (also called hair or rim lighting): Slightly above and behind your subject, aiming toward their shoulders, creating separation from the backdrop with a subtle glow.

Two-point lighting: A simplified version of the three-point setup, this scheme uses two lights:

1. Key light: Again serves as your primary source, positioned at about a 45-degree angle from your subject.
2. Fill light: Placed opposite to the key light serving the same purpose: softening shadows. Only this time, there is no backlight involved.

One light technique: When conditions are tight and you need to be resourceful, one well-used light might be all you'd need:

1. Key light alone: The light is placed at a 45-degree angle to your subject and can create an evocative, one-sided interplay of light and shadow if used creatively.

5. Add a fill light:

• Place it opposite the key light
• Set it to about half the intensity of the key light
• Use a softbox for a more flattering, diffused light

6. Incorporate a backlight:

• Position it behind and slightly above your subject
• Aim it at the shoulders to create separation from the background
• Adjust the intensity to create a subtle glow

Fun fact: The best lights for video production often mimic natural light, with a color temperature of around 5600K (daylight).

7. Experiment with different lighting setups:

Post-Production Tips: Making the Most of Your Footage

Even with the best lighting techniques, some tweaks might still be needed to perfect your footage. Grim, isn't it? But luckily, Flixier comes to your rescue with its suite of post-production tools. 

Here are some ways you can put the final touches on your well-lit video:

• Video enhancer: Perfect for tidying up the small imperfections that might have crept in during filming. You can adjust elements like contrast, saturation, and exposure to optimize your video.
• Audio enhancer: A conversation might sink into oblivion if your audience can’t hear you. Unless you’re trying a silent video, use an audio enhancer to normalize speech levels and background music volumes and reduce unwanted noise. 
• Video brightness editor: Instead of spending hours grappling with controls in complex video editors, choose this tool for quick fixes on your video's brightness. For those slightly under-lit or over-exposed scenes, the video brightness editor is a lifesaver.

Common Lighting Mistakes (And How to Fix Them)

Ask any professional videographer about their biggest gripes, and poor lighting will likely top the list. Here are some common missteps you might make while lighting your videos and how to avoid them:

Harsh shadows: If you notice hard, heavy shadows in your shot, it means that your light source is too direct or close to your subject. Lower your key light or use a softbox to diffuse it.

Unflattering shine: If your subject's face is looking shiny or oily in the footage, decrease the intensity of your key light. Alternatively, use powder makeup on your subject to reduce natural oil and sheen.

Over-exposure: Seen as bright spots (often white) in your footage where there should be details, which means you've set excessive lighting. Moderate the brightness level starting from your key light source. Over-exposed spots CANNOT be repaired during post-production, so make sure to avoid them.

A flat appearance: When there’s not enough contrast between your subject and the background, it often results in a flat image. To remedy this, add a backlight or hair light to create separation from the background

Weird color casts: If your footage has odd colors (like a strange blue or orange hue), you need to adjust your white balance. This occurs when different light sources with varying color temperatures mix. Use lights with adjustable color temperature or gel your lights to match.

Underexposure: If your video looks too dark, increase the output of your key and fill lights. Alternatively, use the video brightness editor for quick fixes in post-production.

Let There Be (Good) Light!

Pop quiz: What horror movie had bright, cheerful lighting? Exactly! Well...maybe Midsommar is the exception. But it proves a point: light informs our reactions to visual content, and your audience will subconsciously clue into the mood and aesthetic of your video based on its lighting.

So what's going to work for you? A cool, calm, natural light feel? Or a warm, controlled artificial look? Maybe a one-light setup that brings in tasteful shadows is your style. No matter the mood you're aiming to create or the story you’re telling, good lighting can make all the difference.

For that post-production touch, Flixier is just a click away, making it simpler for you to get the desired result.