[1/6] Lighting tutorial: some bright ideas!

You don't think a conversation partner in the dark is legitimate to talk about video? That's fine with us too... And the rest of the world too...

‍

If there's one thing that's paramount in a video, it's the image. Nowadays, given the quality of the cameras built into smartphones and the ease with which they can be used, it's inconceivable that one of your viewers will struggle to make out a speaker's face. Nevertheless, a few minor lighting constraints may arise. Fortunately, Boris - the great EasyMovie consultant technician - is on hand to show you how to position your speaker so that he or she is well lit when filming on your premises.

"Let the sunshine in!"

‍

As Boris points out, it's possible, if not probable, that the company you're working for doesn't have any film studios available. Rest assured, however, that this isn't necessary to get the right image.

Depending on the office, some rooms are more exposed to daylight than others. We advise you to take advantage of these areas as soon as they become available. The sun's rays give your interviewer a better complexion, and he or she reflects a more attractive image of your company than if filmed in a cellar... What's more, light is more diffused in a room with several windows, as the walls reflect the rays and mark the speaker's shadows less.

Watch out for enemy lights.

Be careful, though: a window doesn't necessarily mean you have to show them. The viewer should feel their presence, not see them. Your speaker would be against the light if he were filmed with his back to these openings, and therefore much too dark for an Internet user to want to follow his speech. Never forget that a clear speech starts with a clear speaker.

You're not the first to think that placing yourself under a ceiling spotlight will compensate for the darkness of certain rooms and make you stand out, but things aren't quite that simple... Zenithal light is generally used to highlight objects of all kinds. For a human being, it creates very unsightly shadows on and under the face due to hair, nose and chin. At the very least, try to position yourself between two spotlights, rather than directly in line with them, if you don't have a window available. The aim is to be lit from the front, not from above.

Now you know what parameters to take into account to position yourself so as to be correctly lit indoors. Let's get together again soon to learn the same thing, but outdoors!

Discover our other tutorials :