If you’ve recently taken up live streaming, there’s so much that you need to keep track of. Setting up all the right tech to broadcast is time-consuming and a little confusing at first. If you’re not sure why your videos are looking dull, the lighting you have is probably the issue. Here’s your guide to optimal lighting for video streaming so your viewers get the best experience.
In this Article:
All Videos Need Good Lighting
Any video you broadcast needs good lighting, or viewers can’t see what’s going on. Many newbies make the mistake of thinking that the natural light they have is enough. It’s enough to the naked eye, but on camera, it won’t reflect that way. You’re going to need some good live stream lighting setup so you can offer the best experience.
🔦 Picking The Best Lighting
To make sure you have the best lighting for live streaming, you’ll need to consider a few factors:
🔆 Light Source
Check the lighting source that you already have. Natural lighting can be variable, so try to understand how it fluctuates throughout the day in your location. When picking out lights, avoid overhead lights as these throw shadows that you won’t want. Also, remember that larger lights are softer than smaller ones.
🔆 Intensity
The intensity of your light is equally necessary. ‘The more intense a light is, the brighter it is,’ says blogger Darien Hardcastle, from Boom Essays.’ ‘This gives you more intense light, but if you need to soften it, you can use a diffuser.’
🔆 Color Temperature
You’ll also need to consider the color temperature of your lighting, as this affects the overall look of your video. The temperature is measured in kelvins, and the higher the number, the lower the temperature is.
🔆 Physical Requirements
You’re must cater to some specific needs when it comes to the practicalities of your lights. For example, do you need something easy to carry around? How tall does the light source need to be? What accessories will you need for best live stream lighting for your video streams?
💡 Types Of Lights for Optimal Live Streams
You’ve got lots of different options when it comes to choosing lights for streaming. Here are some of the most popular types of light that you can use:
🔆 Ring Light
This is the most widely used light source for the majority of the streamers. These are powerful lights that are shaped like a ring and light up everything around evenly. It’s an excellent beginner’s light, as it’s so easy to set up and use. Ring lights also banish shadows, so they’re great for things like makeup tutorials.
🔆 Key Light
This will be your leading light, usually an LED light. Using one of these with a diffuser will give you the light you need to brighten up your video stream properly. You’ll need a diffuser with a stand to properly use a key light.
🔆 Fill Light
These lights will fill in any areas that your crucial light doesn’t reach and expel any shadows. Umbrella and softbox lights are perfect for this type of lighting.
🔆 Back Light
Backlight can be used in combination with key and fill lights, as they work to eliminate the remaining shadows. As the name suggests, it sits behind you and shines on you either from above, to the side, or directly behind you as needed.
🌟 Setting Up Your Lights
Once you have your lights, you need to set them up in the correct configuration. Here are some ways you can configure your lighting for the best results:
🔆 3 Point Lighting
If you have a key, back, and fill light, then this is how you’ll want to set them up. The key and fill lights sit to either side of the camera, lighting the subject, while the backlight sits to the side behind them. 3 point lighting for live streaming is a promising solution for optimal live streams.
🔆 One Light
If you have one light, place it behind the camera to get the most optimal results.
🔆 Loop Lighting
You can get a professional look with a combination of key and fill light. Place the key light on one side of the camera, slightly above eye level, and the fill light on the opposite side to prevent shadows.
Read More: Video Bitrate: A Complete Guide
🚦 Concluding Thoughts
When creating the perfect live streaming setup, lighting is generally overlooked. While many other important factors to consider in your live streaming setup, lighting remains a vital element. Now that you have all the necessary information for optimal lighting, you are professionally adept at creating consistent and high-quality live streaming. While live streaming can be fun and fruitful, it doesn’t necessarily require a lot of fancy and expensive equipment. Pick and choose from the best lighting for live videos and use a professional live streaming tool such as OneStream Live to further enhance your live streams’ quality.
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