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 more about processing audio for your video and film projects in DaVinci Resolve Fairlight, you can find our complete course at https://school.learnlightandsound.com/p/fairlight-fundamentals-mixing-dialogue-in-fairlight.

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. https://school.learnlightandsound.com

Support my work creating videos by donating at Ko-Fi.com http://ko-fi.com/curtisjudd

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 https://geni.us/LBXWV
- Aputure Spotlight Mount — Aputure, B&H, DVE Store. Amazon https://geni.us/kfAj
- Litepanels Gemini 1x1 LED panel — B&H, Amazon https://geni.us/ghsC
- Rosco glass gobos — B&H https://geni.us/BMmlvu
- Rosco steel gobos — B&H https://geni.us/Yqzw
- RODE NT1 Cardioid Condenser Microphone — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon https://geni.us/Uz0w
- Sound Devices MixPre audio recorder — B&H, Trew Audio, Sweetwater, DVE Store, Amazon https://geni.us/O8e0
- Rycote PCS Microphone Quick-Release System — B&H https://geni.us/1WBdkmX
- Canon C70 cinema camera — B&H https://geni.us/ABYB
- Canon RF 24-70 f/2.8L lens — B&H, Amazon https://geni.us/qwsEs
- Schneider Radiant Soft 1 diffusion filter — B&H https://geni.us/VFScD
- Panasonic GH5 camera — B&H, Amazon https://geni.us/InspOl
- Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 II lens — B&H, Amazon https://geni.us/gr47

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: https://geni.us/G7by

Copyright 2023, Curtis Judd

#Lighting #Gobo #Aputure #Spotlight

Index
00:00 Start
00:08 Summary
00:23 Solid color splash
01:15 Ellipsoidal lenses (spotlights)
01:40 Gobos
02:57 Other color modifiers
03:55 Make your own modifiers!
04:30 Please buy my courses