Lighting for Video

Here you will find articles and advice on video lighting techniques, video lighting equipment, and video lighting effects... everything from the latest video lighting kits to specialized lights for camcorders.

Tips & Tricks Videos

Three Rules to Shoot Video at Night

Mark explores the basics of lighting for a nighttime shoot.

Lighting Techniques

Don't get caught in the dark on video lighting. Make sure you are ready to shoot your next video with the proper amount of lighting to get the effect you desire. The last thing you want to happen is to involve others in a poorly lit video and have to tell them that you need to shoot the video again.

• Catching the Rim Shot with Lighting
  April, 2012
  by Terry O'Rourke
  Traditional lighting using the key light as your main light isn't always the most interesting design. Try making your rim light the brightest and see how your&h…
• FloLight MicroBeam 2500W Equivalent LED Light Kit Review
  March, 2012
  by Mark Holder
  For truly versatile lighting suitable for all users check out FloLight's MicroBeam 2500W Equivalent video lights.
• Let There be Light... for Less
  February, 2012
  by Michael Fitzer
  Why use light other than the sun or your house lights? Proper lighting will give depth and clarity to your subjects, and soften objects you don't want in the…
• Get Real with Practicals
  December, 2011
  by Terry O'Rourke
  Blazing a room with studio lights without using the glow from household lamps looks fake. Most movie sets use 'practicals' in their scenes to imply realism.
• Color Temperature for Video
  October, 2011
  by Michael Fitzer
  Why is color temperature awareness important in the AV industry? Whether it's setting white balance for iPhone 4 or Nikon D90, your camera needs a starting…
• The Art of Low-Key Lighting
  August, 2011
  by Terry O'Rourke
  Properly lighting a low-key setup will entice your viewers to focus on key points in your scene, and wonder about those dark shadowy areas in the unknown.
• Lighting on the Cheap Side
  June, 2011
  by Terry O'Rourke
  Need to set up a lighting design that won't cost an arm and a leg? Whether you need incandescent bulbs, fluorescent lights or LED lighting, we'll show you the…
• Fun and Entertaining Vacation Videos
  June, 2011
  by Jennifer O'Rourke
  Vacation videos don't have to bore your viewers - you just need to understand how to edit while you're shooting on location.
• Lighten Up Your World with LEDs
  April, 2011
  by Terry O'Rourke
  LED Lighting is the lighting of choice for more videographers. Here's why.

Most Recent Lighting Reviews

Video lighting equipment can be expensive or economical depending on your willingness to be creative with guerrilla lighting techniques. These articles include reviews of professional video lighting kits as well as ideas for substitutes for those on a budget.

• LEDZ Brute 3 Portable LED Light Review
  April, 2012
  by Jackson Wong
  The Brute 3 is a versatile light that is capable of great contributions to beginning and intermediate level videographers as well as reporters and others…
• FloLight MicroBeam 2500W Equivalent LED Light Kit Review
  March, 2012
  by Mark Holder
  For truly versatile lighting suitable for all users check out FloLight's MicroBeam 2500W Equivalent video lights.
• Shine On, Videographer: Lighting Buyer's Guide
  February, 2012
  by Earl Chessher
  Video lighting has many options from ultra-portable to semi-permanent. Knowing what lighting technology to buy and what light kit is best is key when there's…
• Litepanels Sola ENG Fresnel Review
  December, 2011
  by Mark Holder
  Priced for the enthusiast or professional the Litepanels Sola ENG camera-mountable Fresnel light delivers serious performance in a lightweight package.
• Lighting Buyer's Guide - Light Up Your World
  February, 2011
  by Terry O'Rourke
  With recent advances in video technology, even casual shooters have come to expect broadcast quality video from their inexpensive cameras, as long as the…
• Kino Flo BarFly 400 & BarFly 200 Kits Reviewed
  October, 2010
  by Mark Montgomery
  The Kino Flo BarFly fixtures are built strong, cleverly designed and easily controlled. This is a superb light for many shooting environments.
• Arri H-2 "Hybrid" AC Kit Review
  August, 2010
  by Mark Holder
  If you're looking for a quality, compact lighting kit to meet a variety of lighting situations the Arri H-2 Hybrid is definitely worth checking out.
• Sima SL20LX light, Logic Keyboard and The Black Pod Review
  June, 2010
  by Evan Burt
  As amateurs, professionals or enthusiasts, buyers of consumer electronics often put a premium on bigger things like computers and cameras. But they sometimes…
• Litepanels LP-1X1 Bi-Color LED Fixture Review
  November, 2009
  by Mark Holder
  Though pricey, Litepanels 1X1 Bi-Color is one sweet piece of lighting equipment with lots of great features.

Lighting Blog Posts

• We're Living in a Golden Age of Video Production
  Feb 6
• Sony Releases LED Video Light for Its Camcorders
  Jan 10
• Keep Your Eyes on the Light
  Dec 29
• Movie Props on Sale. Halloween goodies for Video Producers
  Nov 18

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