Recommendations for Facetime lighting.

[romanof]

Not sure which forum this really belongs in, but this was the closest to the topic, I think.

A question for veterans of YouTubing and video conferencing.

I am looking for better lighting for my FaceTime calls. Never worried about it before because they were seldom and short. Now, of course, it is the only connection with the outside world.

I have noticed that with my normal room lighting, the shadows make me look like Bela Lugosi in a vampire movie. Adding more light just gives the look of Casper the Ghost - almost whiteout. Now I realize why a movie set has a hundred lights in the ceiling. So, right now I have a kluge with small lights hanging from cords above and at the side of the monitor and they work fairly well, but the electrical mess is temporary and needs to be cleaned up.

This is a mancave, so natural light is not an option. Surfing around, I think my need is a light bar across the top of the monitor, although a search of Amazon seems to indicate that those are for reading and softening the blackness of a dark workroom. My camera is a high quality HD, not the 720 gear in the monitor.

So, for anyone who spends their workhours talking into FaceTime or Zoom, what is your setup?

Thanks, all.

 

[AZhappyjack]

A decent 10- 12-inch ring light would work great... I use one of the Chinese branded ring lights from Amazon... I also have a couple of 8" light panels... the nice part about these light panels and rings is that both the brightness and the light temp (color) can be tweaked to meet your needs... and the prices aren't too steep - $20-$40 each.

 

[Pilot Jones]

Get a nice LED light in whatever form factor you desire, point it to your face from like a 60-70 degree angle to one side and diffuse it with some muslin or diffusion paper.

Plus, keep the room behind you relatively dim (or lit in a different color to stand out more against your background.

 

[romanof]

A decent 10- 12-inch ring light would work great... I use one of the Chinese branded ring lights from Amazon... I also have a couple of 8" light panels... the nice part about these light panels and rings is that both the brightness and the light temp (color) can be tweaked to meet your needs... and the prices aren't too steep - $20-$40 each.

Thanks. I had to go to Amazon to find out what a "ring" light was, but they had dozens of them. I borrowed one from a nephew and gave it a try. Installed just above my monitor it works great, especially with the feature that it can be color-changed for best complexion match. I doubt that it would suffice for a dedicated YouTuber, but at least now I look like me. Which may be good or bad, depending on your opinion.

Thanks again.

 

[Erehy Dobon]

The ring light is a kludge for camera lighting. It's better than the point light source of a single flash or off-camera light unit but it's still a kludge.

The old-time equivalent were those makeup mirrors that stage performers used with incandescent bulbs:

MISAVANITY Hollywood Vanity Makeup Mirror with Lights Vanity Mirror with Wireless Charger and 10X Magnification, Beauty Cosmetic Mirror with 12 LED Bulbs for Tabletop Dressing Room

MISAVANITY Hollywood Vanity Makeup Mirror with Lights Vanity Mirror with Wireless Charger and 10X Magnification, Beauty Cosmetic Mirror with 12 LED Bulbs for Tabletop Dressing Room

www.amazon.com

What you really want is a diffuse light source and maybe something to fill in the shadows. Search for "light box" to see what a diffuse light source is.

As for filling in the shadows, there are many ways for this to be done. In bright outdoor sunlight often reflectors are used.

The most flattering lighting is generally indirect natural lighting. The only problem is that the sun moves so you can't get consistent results all the time. Also wherever you are shooting might not have the right exposure.

You can see this in social media photos and lousy real estate photographs: harsh, unflattering shadows due to bright direct midday sunlight.

 

[romanof]

The ring light is a kludge for camera lighting. It's better than the point light source of a single flash or off-camera light unit but it's still a kludge.

The old-time equivalent were those makeup mirrors that stage performers used with incandescent bulbs:

I have been looking at various sites that show lighting for webcams and such. Quite a fascinating subject as it turns out and one that I barely knew existed. In fact, some almost have a professional setup which to my (unprofessional) eyes looks to be far more expensive than the mere computer/webcam for which they are made. Light temperature, diffusers, aspect ratios, high and low key lights... Looks to me to be almost a hobby (or profession) in itself.

My needs are far less than some YouTube star, but I am making progress. When the holidays are over and the shipping factors return to normal, I will get some of the recommended side and fill and diffuse lights that I see used for Zoomers and replace my... yes, as you say, kludge, of a borrowed ring light, clamp lights hung everywhere with cloth diffusers, a string of Xmas lights with white bulbs wrapped around... I could go on, but it is ridiculous enough now.

Been fun, though.

 

[Erehy Dobon]

Photographic/cinematic lighting is a well studied topic and the basic concepts and practices were developed in the 19th century, starting with still photography.

The biggest question you need to ask yourself is how much you are willing to spend (time and money) on this.

Vloggers, Instagram influencers, etc. making six figures will not hesitate to drop ten grand on pro gear. However, technique will be more critical than gear. This is not specific to photography/videography. It's pretty much valid anywhere.

It sounds like you could probably benefit from some tutorials on basic lighting. Just search the web for "portrait lighting". Since you're just a talking head sitting in front of a computer, you're basically just a portrait.

 

[mmomega]

Diffuse any kind of LED that's being put directly in front of you.
You can get good results with some table lamps, aluminum foil and parchment paper, a thin pillowcase, anything to cut the harshness of most lights.

Most people have things within reach that they can try and see what the results give them.
Build from that point and. Every new thing you try is a new layer of experience and potential tool moving forward.