Deciding How Best to Light your Video Shoot

As I’ve learned more about lighting, I’ve thought more and more about how I can light my subjects to create the best possible looking dance videos. Without doing anything else, the lighting choices will have the biggest effect on your video productions.

Some things to think about when you are deciding how to light your shoots are:

How nimble of a shoot is this? Is there even time for extra light setup? (Most often my shoots are 1 hour, and I realllly push that time with my light setup - it takes a good 15-25 minutes to get the studio light aesthetic I like!). Of course, I make little changes every time haha.

What kind of mood are you looking to create? (bright? Dark? Shadows? Happy? Sad?)

What’s the budget?

What light do you have available to you at the studio, including natural light and overhead studio lights? What lighting gear do you have and what combination would be perfect for the shoot?

Where are the outlets? And if they are far, do you have extension cords? Battery powered lights? 

An overarching expectation here is that you will visit the studio where you will shoot. Do it if you can, because it will allow you to prepare better and go into your shoot with confidence. 

Lighting setup is a multi step process. You have to bring your lights in and assemble them, see how they light the subject, make adjustments and make on-the-spot decisions as to what to include/exclude.

If you are using any kind of natural light, be aware that it can change over the course of your shoot. Will this affect your edit? Something to be mindful of. If you are planning for a certain time of day, it is best to visit the studio at THAT hour. For example, one time I did a shoot in the afternoon, and while I had never seen this other times I had visited, there was a harsh direct light coming in through the skylight literally hitting the dancer, but in a not-so-flattering way. I had to decide whether it was worth the effort to get a ladder and block out the light, or just shoot it with her there, but use less of those shots with her standing in that area. What a pain! 

Studio lights are hit or miss, but usually miss. They aren’t meant for production, they are meant to light the studio...not the person you are filming. You can always ask the studio owners if you are able to adjust them and see what they say...but often studio lights are not something to be relied on for a custom light setup. Another note - they aren’t usually pointed in the direction that would be most optimal! If you visit the studio, study where the lights are directed and how they might affect your shot. If you are only filming with the studio’s lights, check to see how filming different areas of the room might be better than another.

I’ve got plenty more to say about lighting, but I’ll close it here. Let me know if you have any questions or notes in a comment - I’d love to hear!

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