Are you intimidated by the thought of learning about vlog lighting? Don’t worry, to make a high-quality vlog, you don’t need to be a cinematography expert. A good camera and a vlog editing software can sometimes be enough to get you going on your vlogging journey.
However, most of the time, a vlog lighting equipment is required if you want the end result to be a high-quality video, even if the equipment involves only a ring light, for example. On top of that, learning some lighting-related tricks from vlogging professionals will surely come in handy when filming your vlogs.
In this article, we’ll go through the basics of vlog lighting to help you make your videos more visually appealing. Let’s roll.
Quick Summary of the Best Vlog Lighting Equipment
1. Neewer Dimmable Bi-color 480-LED Lighting Kit
The Neewer Dimmable 3-point light kit is ideal for vloggers who need high-quality and feature-rich equipment at a reasonable price.
2. Fancierstudio Lighting Kit 3 Point Light Kit
The Fancierstudio 3-point light kit allows vloggers to experiment with light and achieve some soft looks at a low cost.
3. Neewer Camera Photo Video Lighting Kit: 18
The Neewer Camera Lighting Kit is ideal for vloggers who need a portable and flexible lighting kit.
4. Flashpoint 13″ Vlogger Light AC
The Flashpoint 13’’ Vlogger Light AC is the best lighting kit for vloggers looking for quality lighting set on a budget.
5. Fovitec Fluorescent Lighting Kit
The Fovitec Fluorescent lighting kit is a feature-rich softbox lighting set ideal for vloggers, beauty gurus, and influencers.
6. Limostudio 700W Softbox Lighting Kit
The Limostudio softbox lighting kit is perfect for travel vloggers who need portable and flexible lighting equipment.
7. Emart 600W Photography Photo Video Portrait Studio
If you’re in the market for a versatile and high-quality umbrella lighting kit suitable for shooting everything from product photography to vlogs, the Emart package will be right up your alley.
8. Slow Dolphin Photography Umbrella Lighting Kit
Vloggers looking to improve their lighting at low cost will find that the Slow Dolphin lighting kit fits the bill perfectly while delivering great quality.
Why Lighting can Make or Break Your Vlogs
Vlog lighting plays a decisive role in whether or not your vlogs appear amateur or high-quality. The reason for this is simple – camera lenses don’t react to light in the same way as our eyes do. When light is reflected upon an object, it enters the brain in a form of electrochemical signal. Cameras are evolving each year but they are still not able to process light to the last detail as human eyes. That’s why understanding some vlog lighting basics will help you know when to add additional light so you ensure your video’s light quality is similar to what human eyes see naturally.
What Are Some Other Reasons for Investing in Vlog Lighting?
Aside from ensuring video quality, vlog lighting can help you determine the mood of your videos and help you evoke certain emotions in your audience. Learning the basics of vlog lighting will help you tell more compelling video stories as well as avoid losing valuable footage. Also, vlog lighting is easier to adjust during filming compared to making changes in post-production where your editing options are limited even with high-quality vlog editing software.
The more time spent learning about vlog lighting, the less time you’ll lose in editing. Plus, vlog lighting is what will set your vlogs apart from your competitors as good lighting is a sign of professionalism. The best part is that learning about vlog lighting is not that hard. Plus, once you’re past the basics, you’ll be able to experiment with lighting and get more creative with your videos.
Best Vlog Lighting Setup
Choosing the right vlog lighting setup for your vlogs will allow you to control light more easily and will reduce the time you spend in post-production. You can read below about the differences between different lighting setups and determine which vlog lighting setup is most suitable for your vlogs.
Three-point Lighting
Three-point lighting is a very common photography scenario setup which enables a subject to be equally lit from three angles. This is a basic lighting setup that’s very easy to set up for your vlogging projects.
This light scenario consists of a key light, fill light, and a backlight.
The main light source responsible for the exposure is called key light. The key light also represents the brightest source of light available. It should be high-quality and shine directly upon your face. If you’re shooting a video outdoors, then the sun is your key light.
The key light should illuminate the subject with a bulk of light and allow a dramatic shadow over the subject’s face. This light should be positioned at a 45-degree angle to the subject. It’s important to reduce the intensity of this shadow without cancelling it completely.
Another important part of the 3-point lighting configuration is the fill light. This light should reduce the shadows created by the key light. It should be less intense than the key light so it doesn’t overpower your main source of light, which as we already mentioned is the key light. Keep in mind to place the fill light opposite of the scene.
To complete your vlog lighting setup, don’t forget about the backlight. The backlight should illuminate the subject from behind. It adds depth and creates a visual separation between the subject and the background.
Ring Lighting
Ring lighting is a popular vlog lighting setup among solo vloggers given that it can evenly distribute lighting for close-up shooting. It also reduces harsh shadows and gives your face a flattering look by using soft light. As the name suggests, ring lighting is a big circle that focuses the light around the subject’s face. It’s also very convenient, as you can use it on an independent stand or, if it’s a smaller ring light, even attach it to your phone. If you’re working on a budget, you’ll get the most out of this vlog lighting setup.
Soft-box Lighting
Soft-box is a lighting configuration specially designed to soften the light. Often, natural and studio lights can throw harsh shadows over the subject’s face which can disbalance the lighting. The soft-box is designed to fit around a lighting source and diffuse it so it can light a subject’s face with a light and soft tone. By using soft-boxes you’ll be able to adapt your vlog lighting any time in an indoor setting.
Natural Light
Natural light can help you illuminate your video without using any expensive equipment. This is any light source that is contributing to the lighting of the scene. Outdoor lights, the lights in your room, or the lighting coming from your windows – these can all contribute to your vlog lighting. However, working with natural light solely can be tricky if you don’t prepare for the scene.
If you’re shooting your vlogs outdoors, the best time to do it is in the “blue” and “magic” hours of the day. Blue hour is the time of the day when the sun is below the horizon. This happens twice a day – when the sun goes down and when the sun comes up. The blue hour is ideal for filming outdoor scenes at night as there is enough ambient light to give exposure to your subject’s face. Plus, artificial light sources coming from street lights, cityscapes, and monuments look great on video in this period as they make the perfect contrast to the bluish tones in the skies.
The “magic hour” is the time of the day when the sun is just about to set. During these periods the light is very soft and there are no harsh shadows, so it’s ideal for shooting videos that you’ll usually make in the day time.
Umbrella Lighting
Umbrella lighting represents a portable source of light used to illuminate a subject with indirect lighting. They distribute the light evenly and can help you create more controlled lighting for your vlogs. These lights are made of translucent white fabric which diffuses intense light and throws more soft and light tones over the subject’s face. Umbrella lighting is great for indoor vlogging as it can help you achieve a more polished look.
Best Vlog Lighting Equipment
Three-point Lighting
Neewer Dimmable Bi-color 480-LED Lighting Kit
The Neewer Dimmable 3-point lighting kit is a powerful package that can light your entire face evenly and achieve some soft looks. This is one of the best lighting kits on the market which comes at a reasonable price.
This lighting kit features yellow LED lasting bulbs, white diffuser, power cable, and an adjustable light stand. Additionally, the Neewer Dimmable set comes together with a large carrying bag. Vloggers who want to experiment with lighting will be able to create some harsh and dramatic looks with the help of the U-mount bracket.
Pros
- Portable and flexible
- LED lasting bulbs
- White diffuser
- U-mount bracket
Cons
- Flimsy stands
Fancierstudio Lighting Kit 3 Point Light Kit
If you’re looking for three-point lighting equipment to achieve some soft looks, the Fancierstudio package is a great choice. This is a starter kit that contains a wide array of equipment including 45watt 5500k fluorescent bulbs, 7ft height light stand, and two umbrellas.
This is a flexible and portable lighting kit that comes together with a large carrying bag. Equally good for shooting videos and studio photography, the Fancierstudio lighting kit is ideal for vloggers on a budget.
Pros
- Three CFL light bulbs
- Light stand
- White translucent umbrellas
Cons
- No instruction manual
Ring Lighting
Neewer Camera Photo Video Lighting Kit: 18
The Neewer Lighting Kit is one of the most popular ring lighting setups for vloggers. With this professional lighting setup, vloggers can easily achieve a three-dimensional look and create professional videos.
This lighting kit features a gooseneck tube with which you can twist and bend the lighting. Plus, this setup has a ring head that can be adjusted to catch different shooting angles.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Portable
- LED bulbs
Cons
- Doesn’t feature a tripod head
Flashpoint 13″ Vlogger Light AC
The Flashpoint 13 Vlogger Light AC is perfect for beauty vloggers who want to look their best on camera. This lighting set is powered with 50w which is relatively low so you won’t have a problem placing the ring light in front of you. With the Flashpoint 13 Vlogger light AC you will manage to reduce all shadows and light your entire face evenly.
You can also adjust the brightness to achieve a soft look. This lighting set is perfect for beauty vloggers looking to achieve studio-quality results on a budget.
Pros
- Flexible
- Portable
- Low heat output
Cons
- Shaky
Soft-box Lighting
Fovitec Fluorescent Lighting Kit
The Fovitec Soft-box lighting kit is an excellent lighting set for vloggers who want to look dazzling on camera. This lighting kit features 45W fluorescent lamp bulbs which can help you achieve the ideal ambient light.
This lighting kit comes together with a hand strap, a large carry bag, and a boom stand. Additionally, the Fovitec lighting set has three lamp heads attached with 5 bulb sockets. This is a pricey but quality lighting kit that can help savvy vloggers and photographers take their creativity to the next level.
Pros
- 45W fluorescent lamp bulbs
- Three light heads with 5 bulb sockets
- Large carry bag
Cons
- Flimsy stands
Limostudio 700W Softbox Lighting Kit
The Limostudio is a portable softbox lighting kit that’s ideal for shooting travel vlogs. This is a flexible lighting set that weighs just 10 pounds so you won’t have a problem taking it anywhere with you. Plus, it comes together with a durable small carry bag and can be packed in just a few minutes.
This lighting kit does a great job at removing shadows and bumps with its two 85W 6500k compact fluorescent bulbs. The Limostudio softbox lighting kit is perfect for vloggers who are constantly on the move but still want to achieve studio-quality results.
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Portable
- Flexible
- Durable carry bag
Cons
- Quality control issues
Umbrella Lighting
Emart 600W Photography Photo Video Portrait Studio
If you’re looking for high-quality lighting that will deliver studio-like results, consider buying the Emart 600W Photography Photo Video Portrait Studio umbrella lighting kit. This kit contains four umbrellas, two reflector umbrellas, and two translucent white soft umbrellas.
This is a high-quality softbox lighting kit capable of providing premium light for your vlogs. Additionally, this lighting kit features a bulb carry case and a heavy-duty carry case so you won’t have a problem transporting your equipment anywhere.
Pros
- Translucent umbrellas
- Adjustable general light holder
- Bulb carry bag
- Heavy-duty carry bag
Cons
- Plastic socket holders
Slow Dolphin Photography Umbrella Lighting Kit
The Slow Dolphin Photography Umbrella Lighting Kit is specialized in providing premium light. This lighting kit delivers great quality and is ideal for vloggers on a budget. Aside from shooting videos, users can also use this lighting kit for creating product-photography, portraits, and scientific photography.
Packed with two translucent umbrellas and two black reflector umbrellas, the Slow Dolphin lighting kit can help beginners bring their vlogs to the next level.
Pros
- Two translucent umbrellas
- Two black reflector umbrellas
- Photography light stand
- Flexible
Cons
- The carry bag doesn’t fit all products
Vlog Lighting Tips
It takes some time and patience to master vlog lighting. It’s important to learn the lighting basics but also to explore your options and even break some lighting rules to achieve some new effects. That’s why we’ve rounded these vlog lighting tips to get you started on the right track.
Make Use of Windows
If you’re filming indoors during the day, make sure to use the full lighting potential of the windows in your room. Windows can help you achieve a soft and diffused lighting and should be in front of you when filming. However, do not film a video in front of a window flooded by sunlight because intense lighting coming from a window can disbalance the lighting and create black shadows on your face.
Focus Your Key Light
To use the full potential of the key light, you need to make sure that it illuminates only your subject without lighting the background at the same time. To achieve this, you’ll need to reduce the intensity of your key light by casting a shadow over it. For this, you can use any object that will be able to reduce the key light’s intensity. For example, if you’re filming indoors and the window is your key light, then use a curtain to focus the brightness onto your face. Achieving focused lighting is easily done with a softbox lighting setup.
Diffuse The Sun
If you’re filming outside, you can use the sun as a backlight. To achieve edge light, the sun should not be in the full-frame in your camera. This is easier said than done. The trick is to lower the sun’s intensity while still keeping your subject exposed to the sun. To achieve this, you should find ways to diffuse the sun. Pick a location where the sun’s intensity is lowered but still illuminates your subjects. For example, film your videos between buildings and trees. They will diffuse the sun’s intensity and help you achieve that nice edge light.
Develop a Lighting Style and Keep It
Once you master vlog lighting, you’ll find a style that works best for your vlogs. This vlog lighting style should align with both your vlogging topics and your brand. Every brand sticks to a style consistency so they can build a recognisable brand identity. This also goes for your vlogs. A consistent and effective lighting technique is important as it will make your brand look more professional to your audience.
Use a Vlog Lighting Kit
If you’ve already tried some lighting techniques, you must’ve noticed that keeping control of the light in your videos is difficult. Sometimes imbalanced lighting can break a perfect video. To avoid this, you may consider investing in a vlog lighting kit. A vlog lighting kit can help you adjust the light intensity at any time and is especially useful for indoor filming.
Comparison table
| Product name | Level | Price |
| Neewer Dimmable Bi-color 480-LED Lighting Kit | Advanced | $179.99 |
| Fancierstudio Lighting Kit 3 Point Light Kit | Beginner | $138.99 |
| Neewer Camera Photo Video Lighting Kit: 18 | Beginner | $108.99 |
| Flashpoint 13″ Vlogger Light AC | Beginner | $31.00 |
| Fovitec Fluorescent Lighting Kit | Advanced | $189.95 |
| Limostudio 700W Softbox Lighting Kit | Beginner | $44.56 |
| Emart 600W Photography Photo Video Portrait Studio | Advanced | $60.49 |
| Slow Dolphin Photography Umbrella Lighting Kit | Beginner | $50.99 |
F.A.Q
In order to light your vlog correctly, you’ll need to diffuse your main light. You can do this by setting a translucent reflector in front of the main light to diminish its intensity. If you are making vlogs in which your face is constantly exposed, set your main light in front of you so your face is lighted entirely without bumps and shadows.
Depending on the quality they want to achieve, vloggers use all kinds of equipment including 3-point light sets, soft-boxes, umbrella and ring lighting. Beginners usually use ring lighting as these are more affordable. We recommend the Flashpoint 13″ Vlogger Light AC as the best starter kit for beginners that comes at a low price. Those interested to achieve some studio-quality results can use a 3-point light set such as the Neewer Dimmable Bi-color 480-LED Lighting Kit.
To make a vlog studio, you’ll need a good camera and effective lighting. However, if you’re a beginner, you can start by using the natural light in your room. Try to avoid harsh lighting and use the window light to illuminate your face by placing the camera in front of you at that time of the day when the sun is below the horizon. However, if you want to achieve a professional look, you can invest in a lighting kit. We recommend the Fancierstudio Lighting Kit 3 Point Light Kit which is a starter kit for vloggers who want to achieve soft looks and avoid harsh shadows.
There’s a wide array of high-quality equipment on the market for vloggers who want to produce controlled lighting. We highly recommend the Neewer Dimmable Bi-color 480-LED Lighting Kit which is a versatile and feature-rich set for YouTubers who want to take their videos to the next level. The Fancierstudio Lighting Kit 3 Point Light Kit is also a great choice for beginners who want to experiment and learn the ropes of good lighting.
Both umbrella and softbox lighting kits can help vloggers achieve soft and controlled lighting for their vlogs. The main difference between the two is that umbrellas can diminish shadows more easily and achieve diminished lighting, while softboxes produce a controlled and direct lighting that is capable of lighting the entire face evenly.
Above, we’ve covered the essential vlog lighting techniques and tips you need to make sure your videos have high-quality lighting. Keep in mind to experiment with different vlog lighting setups before you find which is most suitable for your vlogs.
Last update on 2024-11-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API. Our editors may earn a small commission if products are purchased via our external partner links.
