Video Lighting: A combo of LED and natural light

A lot of people ask me about the lighting in my tutorial videos. This is what I use: LED light panels, natural light and a translucent light panel. I use the panel for reflecting light into the scene or for diffusing natural light coming in the windows.

Get LED video lights from Amazon: http://amzn.to/yzq8qf
Get the diffusion panel from Amazon: http://amzn.to/zc6seu

-- Yup, those are affiliate links.

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This is for those of you who shoot video tutorials. More about diffusion: http://youtu.be/5eWRnqHPRu4

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• zena1x1maven
• LED video lighting
• video light
• Marlene Hielema

[shanejohnston2]

That was great Marlene! Can you do a video on setting white balance for shooting video like this one?

[MarleneHielema]

Good idea, but let me explain it to you here. (It's best to check your camera manual on how to exactly set a custom white balance. I can only tell you how it works on the Canons.)

What I do is point the camera at the light source (with that WB filter thingy on) and take a shot. That photo then becomes the new reference for your custom white balance. That's the part where you have to read the manual to set that up.

Is that enough info to get you going?

[gnowfglins]

Thanks, Marlene. You always teach me something new. :)

[MarleneHielema]

Thanks! Did you notice how the sun and clouds changed my lighting throughout this video? Sometimes you just have to go with the flow.

[gnowfglins]

Yes, I did notice! It made me feel better because that happens to me all the time. That reminds me of another question I had -- what do you use for your backdrop?

[MarleneHielema]

For my backdrop I use a piece of 4x6 foot artists canvas that I bought at an art supply store. I dyed it black, (which turned out dark grey) then crinkled it and let it dry that way to get the mottled look. Then I ironed it flat. I keep it on a roll so it stays unwrinkled. In the past I've used a dyed canvas paint drop sheet (It's a bit bigger, but thinner) and has more natural wrinkles too. I also bought a 9x12 foot cloth backdrop (also light grey) for group shots.

[ThatInterviewGuy]

Hey Marlene another great video tip! Do you have any recommendations for an entry level led light kit for a home video studio?

[MarleneHielema]

Yes, there's that too. I'm not a fan of CFLs. They give me massive headaches. The LEDs aren't cheap. I have a 1000 Watt and a 500 Watt set of panels and they were about $900 or so. You can start with one, but I'd get a bright one for sure.

[MarleneHielema]

LOL! I think you're pretty grown up already. Your videos are really good.

[klimadesigngroup]

CFL have mercury that is why they are dangerous. How much are the LED's ?