Photography and videography is a very technical industry. Between camera gear, shoot setup, and everything else, it’s no wonder why putting together an entire shoot can take up quite a lot of time. However, one of the most important factors in any photography and videography shoot will always be the lighting that is going to be used on set.
You can have the very best camera and gear, but if you don’t know how to work with proper lighting, then you may end up wasting a lot of time on set. Without proper lighting, you may end up with photos and videos that come off as forgettable.
But if you get your lighting right, then you can transform a very typical scene into something really special. If you’re interested, here are some things that you can keep in mind about lighting when working on a production.
Natural light isn’t enough for what you need
Some video production professionals argue that natural light might be better for your photos or your videos. After all, that’s the whole point of the golden hour, isn’t it? There is no denying that natural light can work wonders for your set, but it can also serve to be your downfall.
Natural light can be beautiful, but it is also notoriously unpredictable. One minute, the lighting can be absolutely perfect, and the next, a cloud can get in the way of the whole thing.
Relying on nature to provide your lighting can cause a lot of problems because anything can happen, from the shifting of the shadows to the movement of the sun. it’s much better to rely on a lighting setup that you can control and rely on.
Good lighting can surpass basic gear, and it’s cheaper too
Of course, there are some excellent cameras that can function perfectly well in a low-lit setting. However, you might not have access to these, or they may be too out of your budget to buy just for this one production.
On the other hand, purchasing a few lights will only cost you a fraction of the price of one of these cameras, and you will still obtain the same effect. You also face the risk of your camera gear becoming obsolete as soon as the newest model comes in.
Lights will never go out of style. In addition to this, lighting can really elevate a production, even if all you have is the most basic camera and set gear. Good lighting can really make a lot of difference in a good photography and videography shoot, and a bad one.
Lighting has always been used to create the mood in a scene
Lighting has always been used strategically in order to create the right mood and atmosphere within a scene. Whether you’re going for a bright and hopeful look or a more dark and sinister look, you can achieve a wide spectrum of moods with a few strategically placed lights without having to pay for expensive editing.