(Ruth Sherman) Amateur Video Lighting - On Camera Presence, Speaking Confidently On Camera

http://ruthsherman.com http://videocharisma.com

Hey there, it's Ruth. I want to talk to you today about lighting. First the time of day. It's daylight. It is one p.m., so a little bit past noon. It is the Northeastern United States in the middle of January, which means the sun's at a fairly low point in the sky. Still, it's sunny outside and I do have windows over here, over here and on the wall behind me so there's enough light coming in to make it sort of flattering. The camera I'm using is a pocket camera, a Flip, so it's letting enough light in. You are seeing some shadows and it's also picking up the lovely light coming from my cozy fireplace. So now what I've done is I've turned on an artificial light. I have a tall floor lamp with a very bright halogen bulb and I have it aimed toward the ceiling. The ceiling is white and the wall colors in this room are light as well. So the light is diffused. You can see the reflection on my hair and I still have daylight coming in through the windows. What you're seeing now is still the same time of day, but now I've moved the floor lamp so that now it is actually right over here. You can't see it, but it's right over here and it's aimed down at my hair. We can call that the hair light. Again, it's a floor lamp, I have it in my house, it's not professional lighting. But I do have professional lights on also. I have a light right off here, a softbox is what it's called, with fluorescent bulbs, very powerful fluorescent bulbs that gives this side of my face a glow and this side of my face is less lit so it gives some definition. Still got daylight coming in from the windows, too. So, now I've pulled out all the stops. I've got two softboxes, one over here that I haven't touched, but I put one on that was standing right over here to the other side and the daylight is still pouring in as well as the floor lamp that is over here acting as the hair light. And of course we still have the fireplace going so this is the light that is coming into this room right now. This makes my face, I think, seem kind of washed out, though I kind of like it 'cause it takes away all my lines and wrinkles. Ok, so now it's dark outside. There's no light coming in from either of these windows or the windows behind me. Instead, I have my two softboxes, which are on full, I've got my floor lamp with the nice, bright halogen bulb coming down on my hair and, of course, I've got my fire in the fireplace, so really very little change. There's some change but very little change. IN other words, with artificial lighting and with the right in-house lighting, it is always daylight. I know I look like I have one leg or no legs because I've been sitting cross-legged on this chair which is kind of deep. But I have one softbox completely off now, I've still got the hair light, at the same intensity, I have the other softbox, the one over here with just one bulb, and of course, I have my nice, cozy light from the fireplace. And this is about seven a.m. Videographers, filmmakers, photographers call this time of day and at sunset the golden or magic times because of the beautiful light the sun gives off at this time of day. And if you want to get some more tips on video or presentation, or public speaking, hop on over to RuthSherman dot com or VideoCharisma dot com where you can download your Celebrity VideoCharisma Speakrets absolutely free. See you there!

Category:

Howto & Style

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• Ruth Sherman
• video lighting
• speak confidently on camera
• on camera presence
• fearless public speaking
• video
• Charisma
• presentation skills coach
• presentation skills training
• public speaking
• public speaking coaching
• public speaking training
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• nonverbal communication

[FelixRMTV]

Great lighting tips Ruth and very entertaining video. Thanks. - Juan.

[tommyisastrategist]

Yes, please do show us how you set up your lights. My lights are the bane of my existence.

[mikewattstv]

Great lighting tips and thanks for sharing!

[goodfinancialcents]

Love all the lighting tips! Looking in to buying a light kit.

[greenlightcoach]

Ruth this was great! I'd love to see an additional video where you turn the camera around so we can see the lights and how easily you set them up (height, etc). Thanks for the information!

[SpiceUKMovies]

I love all your videos Ruth, such great info, and well presented! Keep em coming!

[RebeccaHappy]

what an excellent description of all the different light sources we may have access to.

[howeneil1]

Loved this Ruth. Lighting really makes a difference and I always struggle with positioning. Great info.

[wendylynne2010]

Very helpful Ruth! Lighting is always the toughest thing for me to get right!

[MarleneHielema]

Awesome lighting tips Ruth! I like to use softboxes and reflectors too. I've left you a video response with a couple of other options that involve natural and LED lights.