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Lighting

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. 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. Make sure you know the basics of 3-point lighting which applies to video lighting as well as photography.

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  • TutorialNight LightTutorial 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 film. It is commonly called Day for Night (DFN), and you can spot it in films like It's a Wonderful Life, Planet of the Apes and Jaws; documentaries like The Creation of the Universe; and, of course, the French film, Day for Night.
  • Light it Right (DVD)Light it Right (DVD)
    November, 2008
    In this DVD on video lighting, the experts at Videomaker teach lighting techniques so you can set up the best lighting environment for a video camera. Lessons on studio lighting & outdoor lighting will show you how to light videos like a professional videographer.
  • One Light Wonder - 5 pgsOne Light Wonder - 5 pgs
    November, 2008
    Learn how to be creative with single-source lighting, both indoor and outdoor.
  • Book of Forms - Lighting PlotBook of Forms - Lighting Plot
    November, 2008
    Videomaker's Complete Book of Forms contains 91 essential forms to make shooting and producing video easier. The following is one section of the Complete Book of Forms.

    Includes: Lighting Plot and Lighting Layout.
  • Depth of Field - 5 pgsDepth of Field - 5 pgs
    November, 2008
    Manipulate your viewer into watching one portion of your movie, while other events continue in the scene!
  • Producing a Documentary Part 1 - 6 pgsProducing a Documentary Part 1 - 6 pgs
    November, 2008
    Learn how to move your story from dream to distribution!
  • Video Glossary of Terms - 21 pgsVideo Glossary of Terms - 21 pgs
    November, 2008
    Confused by the alphabet soup of video production terminology? Videomaker’s extensive Glossary of Terms provides definitions for hundreds of commonly and not so commonly used terms in the field of videography.
  • Wedding Videoland - 6 pgsWedding Videoland - 6 pgs
    November, 2008
    A light-hearted look at wedding video. The Goal: Create a top-notch video keepsake that will be treasured for generations to come.
  • LightingLighting Film Noir StyleLighting 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.
  • Videomaker Presents - Episode 127 - TIPS & TRICKS: Video Green Screen Magic TricksVideomaker Presents - Episode 127 - TIPS & TRICKS: Video Green Screen Magic Tricks
    September, 2008
    Jennifer shows you how to create a magic wand effect using special effects and video green screen background software.
  • Lighting Lighting GelsLighting 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 ShadowsCreating Shadows
    June, 2008
    by Brian Peterson
    Dramatic Lighting without Fear (Or, How I Learned to Love the Dark)
  • Basic Training: Three-Point Lighting 101Basic 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 mystery.
  • Lighting: Using PracticalsLighting: 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 video.
  • Illuminations: Casting ShadowsIlluminations: 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?
  • Illuminations: One Light WonderIlluminations: One Light Wonder
    May, 2007
    by Robert G. Nulph, Ph.D.
    Sometimes you only have one available light. Other times, you chose to use one light for effect. It's not what, but how you use it that makes your video shine.
  • Quick FocusQuick Focus
    February, 2007
    by Jennifer O'Rourke
  • Jargon: Lighting Terms
    February, 2007
    by Videomaker Editors
    Lighting Terms
  • Basic Training: Looking for LightBasic Training: Looking for Light
    January, 2007
    by Kyle Cassidy
    Shooting in a low light setting is more than just turning down the lights or opening your camcorder's aperture. You can't take low light shooting lightly.
  • Video Lighting: High Definition LightingVideo Lighting: High Definition Lighting
    May, 2006
    by Dr. Robert G. Nulph
    We are entering a new era of video production. Our hard work will show in all its HD glory and our sloppy mistakes will glare in HD horror. But light can help us.
  • How DID They do that?How DID They do that?
    April, 2006
    by Randal K. West
    It's April Fool's Day, and what better way to amuse your friends than getting a little giddy with the camera and going a little wacko with your video?
  • Illuminations: In the MoodIlluminations: In the Mood
    March, 2006
    by Jim Stinson
    In lighting, the most important aesthetic quality is mood: the feeling communicated by the lighting design.
  • Basic Training: Shooting an InterviewBasic Training: Shooting an Interview
    March, 2006
    by Kyle Cassidy
    It might not be 60 Minutes, (more like 15 minutes!) but if you want to make your interviews shine like Ed Bradley's on CBS, read on!
  • Basic Training: Shoot Yourself!Basic Training: Shoot Yourself!
    February, 2006
    by Kyle Cassidy
    If you visit a Hollywood film production, or sit through its credits, you know it takes busloads of people to get the production in the can. But what if you don't have access to busloads of people?
  • Lighting Your Video: Back to the Hardware Store?Lighting Your Video: Back to the Hardware Store?
    December, 2005
    by Jim Stinson
    Lighting accessories can be as easy to make as a trip to the local hardware store.
  • Illuminations: One-Light to Cover them AllIlluminations: One-Light to Cover them All
    November, 2005
    by Jim Stinson
    Budget and creative lighting are just a couple reasons why you'd want to shoot with only one lighting instrument.
  • Lighting TermsLighting Terms
    July, 2005
    by Jennifer O'Rourke
    Glossary of lighting terms used by videographers.
  • Illuminations: Moving TargetsIlluminations: Moving Targets
    May, 2005
    by Jim Stinson
    In lighting a subject in motion, focus on the important points in the movement path.
  • Shooting Day for NightShooting Day for Night
    December, 2004
    by Jim Stinson
    Making day resemble night on your screen means tinting the overall images blue, then adding white light, and adjusting contrtast and brightness to sell the trick.
  • Home Video Hints: Holiday Videos that Rock!Home Video Hints: Holiday Videos that Rock!
    December, 2004
    by Jim Stinson
    A quick and easy recipe for capturing family memories.