Inexpensive Tutorial Lighting Tips
Lighting solutions for the everyday beauty
Have you ever tried to take a picture without flash while standing in front of a window? Did you notice that the people you're trying to take a picture of look like dark shadows while the window looks completely normal? That's because the camera is focusing on the lightest object in the frame and that happens to be the window. Some don't realize that even though you can see perfectly fine in that room, when recording a video, the camera can't pick up the same view. This is why lighting is very important. If you're having trouble with ways to properly light tutorials we have a couple of easy and inexpensive ways to improve your setup!
Recording in the Day
The easiest and least expensive trick is recording with natural light! Make sure the light is directly hitting your face and not behind you. If you happen to have a window on one side of you, you can easily add more natural light on the opposite side without it costing a fortune. All you need is a large white presentation board. Place that presentation board on the opposite side of the window and make sure that it is angled towards your face. It acts as a "bounce card" and will bounce the light from the window and reflect it on the side of your face that isn't getting enough light.
Lighting Solutions for Night
If you need artificial light and are low on funds, painter lights with clamps are a great option. They can be placed wherever they can clamp on, are very lightweight, and run for about $7 a piece at your local hardware store! Make sure that you purchase daylight bulbs that have less of a yellow tone (soft white gives everything a golden glow that's pretty in real life, but looks yellow on camera) so that the white balance on your camera will be normal. Having two lamps on each side will properly light your face. Also, if the lights are too bright, which might be the case for daylight bulbs, you can use vellum to filter the light. Just tape some over the lamp and you're good to go!
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Nyla N.
Im a Photographer and Ive been a Photographer for years
the lighting thing is WRONG!
people who are originally light toned to begin with will appear light in cam,OBVIOUSLY!..Alek wek still looks dark in any bright lighting,so does wesley snipes and others.. the brighter the better when it comes to lighting because it brings out your true tones.Personal preference. WE HUMANS ALSO DONT TAKE PICS IN THE DARK! Ive seen pics where its a group photo and the light people appeared pale and darker toned people still appear darker toned. Its a basic concept.
Dark skin will appear dark skkin regardless, light skin will appear light on cam regardless! Lighting doesnt change skintone, if that were the case wesley snipes and the rest of black celebrities would be looking caucasian. please dont say "lighting" it is not lighting! Pale people will appear pale on cam, dark skinned people will appear dark. lighting only brings out the true tones.
White or Light skin shows out better in front of the camera then dark skin. It has to do with reflection of light. White or light skin reflect light 100 fold better then dark skin (which absorbs it). And if you know anything about cameras u know the object that is being captured by the camera has to reflect the light projected unto it in order to be caught by the camera lens.
So terms such as "Washed " are inappropriate! and natural lighting shouldnt even be called natural because it looks jaundice/yellow. the brighter the better
Joyce W.
i really like the whiteboard idea! :)
Tiffany F.
I just got my new lighting, so hopefully my videos will look better
Dana A.
What is the difference between vellum paper and tracing paper? Can tracing paper be used?
Stephanie H.
So cool I don't ever mess with my lighting. Now I may try it out.=D
Althea N.
I have natural light on one side, I'm going to give th whiteboard a try!
Wendy G.
I've found that natural lighting really is the best!
But I think I'm gonna have to try that presentation board trick!
I find that unless I'm directly in fromt of the camera and not at an angle whatso ever one side of my face just always seems slightly darker, great tip thanks for sharing :)
Jenna G.
great tips !!
Catherine M.
This Is Awesome I will Have to try this !
Arleene T.
Super helpful tips, thanks! Now I want to start filming tutorials and try this out :)