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

Night Lighting

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.

• Video Lighting Equipment Buyer's Guide 2009
  July, 2009
  by Julie Babcock
  With the growing number of videographers, it can be difficult to set yourself apart. One way to stand out is by using of professional video lighting equipment.
• Lighting: The Eye Light
  March, 2009
  by Robert G. Nulph, Ph.D.
  With a twinkle in his eye, your actor can win the damsel and convince the audience of his good intentions. Creating that twinkle is all in the art of lighting.…
• Tutorial Night Light
  December, 2008
  by Brian Peterson
  How to turn the light of day into the dark of night... The technique of shooting outdoor night scenes in broad daylight has been around since the early days of…
• Lighting Lighting Film Noir Style
  November, 2008
  by Robert G. Nulph, Ph.D.
  November. The days are getting shorter, the air is crisp and the mood is dark and forlorn. These are the perfect ingredients for film noir shooting.
• Lighting Lighting Gels
  July, 2008
  by Robert G. Nulph, Ph.D.
  You're ready with 3-point lighting or a soft-light and mood setting. But ... hum... what's missing? How about some red and blue on that dull white scene?
• Creating Shadows
  June, 2008
  by Brian Peterson
  Dramatic Lighting without Fear (Or, How I Learned to Love the Dark)
• Basic Training: Three-Point Lighting 101
  May, 2008
  by Kyle Cassidy
  Lighting can be extremely complicated. Some movie and TV shoots use dozens of lights to assure proper scene lighting. Here's a primer to help dispel the…
• Lighting: Using Practicals
  May, 2008
  by Robert G. Nulph, Ph.D
  Lighting a scene using everyday lamps realistically is a skill that earns Hollywood gaffers top dollars. Here are some tips to using practicals in your next…
• Illuminations: Casting Shadows
  July, 2007
  by Robert G. Nulph, Ph.D.
  When you think about lighting, you probably think about your lights and where to place them. But what about the shadows?

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.

• Litepanels LP-1X1 Bi-Color LED Fixture Reviewed
  November, 2009
  by Mark Holder
  Though pricey, Litepanels 1X1 Bi-Color is one sweet piece of lighting equipment with lots of great features.
• Switronix Torch LED TL-50 Reviewed
  November, 2009
  by Arthur Lance
  Switronix's TL-50 TorchLED video light is a highly versatile on-camera light with a sweet price point.
• Review: Evolved Lighting Kit with Fluorescent Video Lights
  July, 2009
  by Brent Holland
  Evolved Lighting sent us a variety of lights and products to try out. Opening the hard plastic case revealed a pair of fluorescent video lights.
• Camera Light Review Litepanels Micro LED Light
  August, 2008
  by John Burkhar
  Micro Illumination
• Lights Review: Photoflex Starlite Dual Spectrum Kit
  June, 2008
  by John Burkhart
  Starlite Star Bright
• Lessons in Lighting - Lighting Buyer's Guide 2008
  March, 2008
  by Brian Peterson
  Buying lights may not be as exciting as buying a new camcorder, but the impact on your images can be equally significant. In this Buyer's Guide, we'll review…
• Lighting Buyer's Guide...and there was light.
  October, 2007
  by Randy Hansen
  From the beginning, filmmakers have known the value of good lighting. One of the first movie studios, Thomas Edison's Black Maria, rotated on a turntable so it…
• Camcorder Light Review : Varizoom VZ S2010 On-camera LED Light
  June, 2007
  by Brian Peterson
• Chimera 8005 Video Pro Plus Light Kit Review
  April, 2007
  by Brian Peterson
  Light Box

Lighting Blog Posts

• Tips for Composing, Lighting, and Shooting Corporate Videos
  Oct 30
• Videomaker Webinar Success!
  Oct 27
• YouTube and Videomaker Webinar next week!
  Oct 23
• The Show Must Go On!
  Oct 12

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