Whether you want to start a new Youtube channel, wish to improve your videos, or simply want to learn more about filmmaking, lighting will most likely be an item to tick on your to-do list! That's why in this post I wanted to share with you a few lighting tips and tricks, and very simple and cheap ways to place your lights in order to get a clean and professional looking video both indoors and outdoors. Have you ever heard words like key light, fill light or three-point lighting and wondered what the heck people were talking about?
Well, let's get to it then!
The key light is your main source of light, it is aimed towards your subject (so, you, if you're filming yourself) and lights it the most. You can place it wherever you want as long as it faces the subject, but you'll typically find it at a 45º or more angle, to give it more depth and dimension (casting shadows on the opposite side of the face).
The fill light aims at brightening a bit the harsh shadows on and around your subject. It sits on the other side and is not necessarily aimed straight at it. It could be an actual light, or some kind of reflector (either a professional one or just something white: a wall, a piece of polystyrene, a shirt...). This is not gonna be very bright, it's a more diffuse source of light.
The back light (also called retro light) is placed opposite the key light, and lights the back of the subject (duh). It's not very bright either, and it can be a different color, the point being to create a more defined separation between the subject and the background. It will add a pretty seamless but effective contour around the back of the subject (defining the hairline if the subject is a person).
You can read the full article on Publish0x to get all the tips, along with handy-dandy charts to help you place your lights!
Until next time, stay creative! See you!