Lighting for streaming is an important part of ensuring that the broadcast image is of the highest quality possible. You will achieve a cinematic effect that will naturally attract your followers if you support it with good content. This comprehensive guide will answer all of your questions.
WHY LIGHTS ARE IMPORTANT FOR STREAMING
The tone, warmth, and intensity of the light are all things to think about.
Knowing what you want to say is crucial when deciding on the type of lighting you’ll need. High intensities are required to spread joy, while low intensities are recommended to convey a sense of mystery.
Another thing to consider is what you want to emphasise in the video. The spotlights should be focused on you if you want to highlight your silhouette. If you want to draw attention to a specific object, however, the light should guide the viewer to that element.
TYPES OF LIGHTS YOU CAN USE IN STREAMING
There are two categories into which the type of lighting in live performances can be grouped: natural light and artificial light.
Natural Light
It is the most cost-effective option because you will not have to spend any money to obtain it. To get a good quality of natural light, you’ll need to position yourself in the room’s brightest area.
The disadvantage is that quality lighting will be limited to the middle of the day. This has significant drawbacks, such as the inability to shoot on rainy days, cloudy skies, or during non-sunny hours. Furthermore, the room must be oriented to receive adequate light.
Artificial Light
Artificial light is the great alternative to natural light. Its great advantage is that you can shoot at any time of the day and even at night.
Artificial light with lamps
For those who are just getting started with streaming, using artificial light with lamps is the best option. They are very cost effective because only one or two lamps are required.
It has the advantage of being able to record in spaces with no natural light, such as during rainy or cloudy days or at night.
Its great drawback is that the lighting will depend on the type of bulb. If it is warm, the image will be seen with yellow or orange tones. On the other hand, if it is cold, it will be seen with bluish or pale tones.
Artificial light with lighting kit
Professional streamers use the lighting kit to achieve flawless lighting for their live shows. As a result, image quality improves at an exponential rate.
The only drawback is that it necessitates the purchase of lighting equipment. There are, however, very affordable options for improving the image quality of your streaming, such as the one we show you.
There are different alternatives to illuminate the space where the broadcasts will take place. Depending on your needs, you will have to choose one or the other.
Ring Light
The ring light has grown in popularity as a result of influencers’ use of it in apps like TikTok. It’s ideal for close-ups because of its circular design, which reduces shadows.
The low cost and ability to adjust the intensity and colour of the light are two of this device’s advantages. It has up to ten different tones, ranging from warmer to cooler.
Spotlights with Bulbs
This is the lighting option of choice for those who want to go beyond what ring lights can provide. Spotlights with bulbs are used in the same planes as ring lights, but with the added benefit of providing more professional lighting.
Fabric filters can be used to control the light, and the spotlights can be turned on and off with a switch. They are less expensive than LED spotlights, but they have a shorter useful life and take up more space.
LED Spotlights
LED spotlights are a great replacement for bulb spotlights because they perform better. They have the advantages of taking up less space due to their flat shape, being lighter, and being able to be used for longer periods of time without overheating.
They also have the advantage of being able to control the light’s intensity and tones, as well as having a longer useful life than bulbs.
Their disadvantage is that they require a larger investment, but the benefits they provide will make the investment worthwhile.
Flash or Torches
They are the most well-known and oldest option available. Torches, also known as Flash, are a type of lighting that is attached to the camera’s structure. Its purpose is to light up the shot that is being recorded.
It’s notable for its versatility and the ability to record while on the go. Furthermore, because of its light weight, it is easily transportable.
Their main flaw is that they provide a very strong point of light. The objects or people being recorded appear to be brightly illuminated, but only from a single point, resulting in strong shadows.
Streaming Lighting Kit
Lighting kits are the most suitable for you if you are a professional streamer or if that is your ultimate goal. There are different alternatives of lighting packages, although it is advisable to purchase several light points. As a minimum you should have two, although three are recommended: the main light, the fill light and the backlight.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Here are the most common questions from users who want to take their live performance to the next level.
What Light Power do I need for Streaming?
For live performances, there are several options for dimming the light output. While flashes and torches do not allow you to control the light intensity, ring lights and LED spotlights do. That is to say, you will be able to customise it to fit each moment and goal of the video.
Which Lights Streamers use?
Lighting kits are used by professional streamers to ensure that their videos have the best possible image quality. They use a variety of light sources that are set up in such a way that they can achieve the desired effects. If they’re dealing with something mysterious, they’ll use darkness, and if they’re bringing joy, they’ll use brightness.
But it doesn’t stop there; the best youtubers use dimmable lights in a variety of colours, as well as LED wall and ceiling panels that can be controlled from a smartphone.
What Lighting Accessories do I need?
To achieve a professional result in the lighting of your videos, in addition to using three (or even four) light points, you will need to incorporate the so-called softboxes.
A softbox is a lighting accessory whose function is to diffuse the light of the spotlight or flash that is placed inside it. It also allows it to be softer and more directional, reducing shadows and producing a more natural effect.
A cheaper alternative would be the use of umbrellas. These are easier to handle and transportable due to their reduced weight. However, the light diffusion is less homogeneous.
