How do you know if your lighting is good enough?

1 Check your exposure

The first thing you need to do is to check your exposure, which is the amount of light that reaches your camera sensor. If your exposure is too high, your video will look overexposed, meaning that the highlights will be blown out and lose detail. If your exposure is too low, your video will look underexposed, meaning that the shadows will be too dark and noisy. You can use a tool called a histogram, which is a graph that shows the distribution of brightness levels in your image, to monitor your exposure. Ideally, you want to have a balanced histogram, with no spikes on the left (shadows) or the right (highlights) edges.

2 Adjust your white balance

The next thing you need to do is to adjust your white balance, which is the color temperature of your light source. Different light sources have different color temperatures, ranging from warm (orange) to cool (blue). If your white balance is not set correctly, your video will have a color cast, meaning that it will look either too warm or too cool. You can use a tool called a color chart, which is a card with different shades of gray and colors, to set your white balance. You need to place the color chart in the same light as your subject, and then use your camera settings or a software to match the white balance to the gray card.

3 Control your contrast

The third thing you need to do is to control your contrast, which is the difference between the brightest and the darkest areas of your image. Contrast can affect the depth, drama, and clarity of your video. If your contrast is too high, your video will look harsh and unnatural, with too much difference between the highlights and the shadows. If your contrast is too low, your video will look flat and dull, with not enough difference between the highlights and the shadows. You can use a tool called a light meter, which is a device that measures the intensity of light, to control your contrast. You need to measure the light on your subject and on your background, and then adjust your light sources or your camera settings to create the desired contrast ratio.

4 Choose your light source

The fourth thing you need to do is to choose your light source, which is the type and direction of light that illuminates your scene. There are two main types of light sources: natural and artificial. Natural light sources are the sun and the sky, which can provide a soft and natural look, but can also change unpredictably depending on the weather and the time of day. Artificial light sources are lamps, flashes, and LEDs, which can provide a controlled and consistent look, but can also require more equipment and power. You also need to consider the direction of your light source, which can affect the shape, texture, and mood of your subject. There are three main directions of light: front, side, and back. Front light sources are placed in front of your subject, which can create a flat and even look, but can also reduce the dimension and detail of your subject. Side light sources are placed on either side of your subject, which can create a contrasty and dramatic look, but can also create harsh shadows and highlights. Back light sources are placed behind your subject, which can create a rim and silhouette look, but can also cause lens flare and underexposure.

5 Modify your light quality

The fifth thing you need to do is to modify your light quality, which is the softness or hardness of your light source. Soft light sources are those that have a large surface area and are diffused by a material or a distance, which can create a smooth and flattering look, but can also reduce the intensity and directionality of your light. Hard light sources are those that have a small surface area and are not diffused by anything, which can create a sharp and edgy look, but can also create harsh shadows and highlights. You can use different tools to modify your light quality, such as reflectors, diffusers, umbrellas, softboxes, and grids.

6 Experiment with your lighting

The sixth thing you need to do is to experiment with your lighting, which is the fun and creative part of videography. There is no one right way to light your scene, as different lighting setups can create different effects and emotions. You can try different combinations of light sources, directions, contrasts, white balances, and modifiers, and see how they affect your video. You can also use different colors, shapes, patterns, and movements of light to add interest and variety to your video. The best way to learn and improve your lighting skills is to practice and play with your lighting, and see what works and what doesn't for your project.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?