This post is about the difference between light and day. No, that isn’t a typo... Today we’re talking about lighting in more detail. Lighting is an especially important part of creating good video, and there's a fine line between a dark dingy presentation and an engaging and inspiring video.

Natural light is the best. There's nothing like good old fashioned sunlight to beautify just about anything. It brings out the natural colors, skin tones, and adds a lovely glow to all subjects. It really makes things look their best.

If you live in a place with lots of sun throughout the year like I do, it's a video production paradise. I always plan my filming during daylight hours and maximize the sun streaming through my studio window.

However, what if you don’t have access to good light? If you live in a relatively sunless place, like the Pacific Northwest, parts of Europe, or near one of the earth's poles. Now things can get more complicated.

As I mentioned in my previous blogpost called 3 Tips for Better Video, many cameras allow you to make adjustments to make your subject look lighter, in case you don’t have enough natural light. Even with good natural light, I tend to brighten my videos to get that beautiful uplifting vibe of a well shot clip. So if you don't have sunlight to rely on, you'll really want to use this option readily.

You can easily learn how to do this by studying your camera’s user’s manual, reading a blog, or watching a YouTube video. Just do a search online for your camera or smartphone’s model number, and see what options pop up. For many digital devices, updates are regularly available, which can at times include an upgrade to your camera usage. Try to stay informed so you don't miss improvements that could be useful to you in your production process.

I had also previously mentioned, that daytime bulbs are a fantastic option. They do a really good job of mimicking the light of the sun, giving you the ability to film anytime of the day or night. Ring lights are another very popular choice to light up your face or workspace.

Not sure how bright to make your frames? Here's a good balance. Make sure it doesn't look too bright or overexposed, washing out colors and important details. On the other hand, it shouldn't look dark and murky making colors and details hard to distinguish.

When I was learning this balance, I studied photography accounts on Instagram, like @thelittleplantation. This food photography has a combination of light and bright backgrounds as well as dark and moody ones. If you study these images, you’ll notice that the secret is in adding a light source to at least one side of the subject matter even if the background is dark.

Above is an example of course creator Lucy Lambiex in Amsterdam, who sometimes choses to film her class outdoors. For indoor filming, she prefers using professional lighting equipment. She says, “I prefer using artificial light, because it is stable, but I would definitely use a daylight setup if I just started and didn’t have any of the equipment. Don’t let lack of equipment hold you back.”

She goes on to say that anyone can put together a simple setup using a large window and a reflector made of aluminum foil on cardboard. She demonstrates how to do this a 14-minute Skillshare class called Master the Light and Mood of your Head Shots. If you are a Skillshare member you can check it out here. Otherwise you can find lots if tutorials for easy lighting setups on YouTube.

Some course creators also choose to use a darker moody effect when filming their classes. You’ll need a darker background for this option, like a wall painted in a deep color or a dark color drape. There are many online references about the three point lighting method that will help you effectively achieve this look. As you can see in the image below Graphic Design teacher Nayda Cruz uses the three-point method when filming her classes to control light and shadow.

Nayda lives in Puerto Rico where there is you’d think the lighting would be perfect, however, the island weather produces an interesting conundrum. Nayda explains, “Throughout the day we may get broken clouds, or the angle of the sun changes. For example, I film in my office where in the morning the light is subtle and nice. But in the afternoon it is very bright. Morning light can work for a short video.” That’s why Nayda opts for artificial lighting that she can better control.

Filters are also another popular way to add different tones, effects, and moods to enhance your video. There is a lot of information and instruction online regarding this as well.

I prefer a simple set up, and I love a natural look. I am very fortunate to have pretty even sun all day long, but I'm not opposed to learning new tips. You should experiment with some of these options if you feel your lighting isn't quite right. Try different things while taking screen tests to see what you like best. There's a lot to be said for trial and error!

If you do, please let me know In the comments below what you discover, and what you liked best for your video lighting.

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