Great lighting can help your video content shine, but poor lighting can create a dull, blurry mess. One of the most common ways of lighting video content is three-point lighting. You may have heard the term in film school, but how can you take full advantage of its benefits on set? Read this quick summary to find a simple method for crushing three-point lighting in every shot.
Addressing the Angles
In order to excel at three-point lighting, you must understand the purposes of all three points. It involves three types of lights—the key light, the backlight, and the fill light.
The key light is the main source of illumination, exposing the whole room to light before introducing additional sources. In order to begin your three-point lighting setup, place the key light in front of the subject in your camera. Then, place the bulb slightly to the side so the light can cast shadows on the subject, creating distinct visual depth when paired with a fill light.
Setting Up Fill Lights & Backlights
A fill light fills the shadows so you can see those details instead of hiding them. However, the fill light should be half as bright as the key light to capture the right visual balance. While the fill and key lights create visual depth on the subject, your backlight adds more depth to the overall scene.
The backlight rests behind the subject in the frame, and you can adjust precisely where it sits as you see fit. The reason to position the backlight behind the subject is to create a strong outline that makes them pop off the background. Simply put, this is a way to add intriguing visual depth to a flat image.
Preparing To Perfect the Look
You should invest in professional video lighting equipment that delivers a high-quality performance. However, our simple method for crushing three-point lighting comes down to experimenting with your hardware. The information above pertains to setting up a basic three-point lighting arrangement, but you can truly perfect the look by giving yourself time to set up the lights and explore your options in the shoot.
The lights may be in the right spot, but it’s up to you to highlight the most poignant details in the camera frame. Are you getting the right level of depth from your backlight? By considering such questions on set and scrutinizing your work, you can develop the best-looking content possible. Try this three-point lighting method for your video content to elevate the aesthetic and capture the focus of your audience every time.