How I Light My Backgrounds — Creative Background Lighting for Video
In this week’s episode we have a look at several methods of lighting the back of your set while filming talking-head shots. Putting some thought into what’s going on in the background of your shots can help sophisticate the look of your video. Here, we cover solid-color lighting as well as fancier effects that can be achieved with RGBLED lights, different color temperatures, and metal, glass, or homemade gobos. Let’s take a closer look!
If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F4, F6, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders. Our latest courses cover Sound for Live Streaming with the ATEM Mini and an Intro to Izotope RX.
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Gear used or mentioned in this episode. The links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, DVEStore, Perfect Circuit, Trew Audio or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:
- Aputure LS 300X used for background light — Aputure, B&H, Amazon
- Aputure Spotlight Mount — Aputure, B&H, DVE Store, Amazon
- Litepanels Gemini 1x1 LED panel — B&H, Amazon
- Rosco glass gobos — B&H
- Rosco steel gobos — B&H
- RODE NT1 Cardioid Condenser Microphone — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon
- Sound Devices MixPre audio recorder — B&H, Trew Audio, Sweetwater, DVE Store, Amazon
- Rycote PCS Microphone Quick-Release System — B&H
- Canon C70 cinema camera — B&H
- Canon RF 24-70 f/2.8L lens — B&H, Amazon
- Schneider Radiant Soft 1 diffusion filter — B&H
- Panasonic GH5 camera — B&H, Amazon
- Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 II lens — B&H, Amazon
The intro and outro music for this episode is from Musicbed - “Dynamo” by Virgil Arles. Take your films to the next level with music from Musicbed. Sign up for a free account to listen for yourself.
Copyright 2023, Curtis Judd