If you’re new to vlogging, then one thing you need to know is lighting can make or break your content. Even if you have the latest camera with incredible specs, without good lighting, your content will look washed out, dim, and unappealing. In this blog, I’m going to share with you some of the top lighting techniques that you can use to create high-quality vlogging content.

🔦 Natural Light 🔦

First up, we have natural light. As the name suggests, natural light simply refers to the light that nature provides. When using natural light, there’s no need for extra equipment, and it’s free! However, it’s important to remember that natural light can change throughout the day and can be affected by weather conditions. So, you’ll need to plan your filming schedule around the best time of day to utilize natural light.

When filming indoors, it’s best to set up near a large window or in a room with a lot of natural light. This will give you a soft and even lighting setup. To achieve the best results, avoid filming during midday when the sun is directly overhead, as this can create harsh shadows.

A person sitting next to a window filming a vlog

🌟 Ring Light 🌟

Another popular lighting technique for vlogging is using a ring light. A ring light is a light that is shaped like a ring and is directly attached to the camera lens. It provides a very soft and even light that eliminates shadows.

Ring lights come in different sizes, and you can adjust the brightness according to your needs. They are especially helpful in low-light situations and can create the perfect lighting for close-up shots, as well as portraits.

A closeup of a ring light attached to a camera lens

💡 Softbox Lights 💡

Softbox lights are similar to ring lights but are much larger and provide a broader lighting angle. They are perfect for getting the most amount of light onto your subject without creating harsh shadows.

When using softbox lights, position them at a 45-degree angle to your subject, and adjust the height according to the desired shot. Softboxes come in different sizes, and you can also adjust the brightness to compensate for different environments.

A person in front of a softbox light setup, adjusting the height and angle

🌅 Golden Hour 🌅

The golden hour is the first and last hour of sunlight in the day when the sun is low in the sky and casts a soft, golden light. This type of light creates a warm and inviting atmosphere, and it’s perfect for vlogging content.

The golden hour is great for filming outdoors, and it’s best to plan your shoot according to when it will occur. You can also use reflectors to direct the light towards your subject and help eliminate any harsh shadows.

A person filming vlogging content during the golden hour, with the sun behind them

🔜 Prepping Your Lighting Setup 🔜

Before filming your vlog, it’s important to take some time to set up your lighting equipment. Consider your environment and what lighting technique would work best for the situation. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different setups to see what works best for you.

Remember, lighting is an essential aspect of creating high-quality vlogging content, and it can make all the difference in final output. Invest in the right equipment, and take the time to plan out your lighting setup for each video.

A person surrounded by lighting equipment, preparing to film a vlog

🎬 Lights, Camera, Action! 🎬

In conclusion, the lighting techniques outlined in this blog are just scratching the surface of what you can achieve. Create the perfect lighting setup for your vlog by experimenting with the different types of lighting and figuring out what works best.

Remember, lighting is one of the most important elements of creating vlogging content, so it’s worth investing some time and money into getting it right.

A montage of vloggers using different lighting techniques, with the final image being a a vlogger with great lighting, holding up a thumbs up