100D — The Amaran LED Video Light Really Shines: Review

Hey YouTubers, Aputure is gunning for your money and in my humble opinion, you should give it to them. Aputure has announced four new point-source COB LED lights under the Amaran brand. The 100d, 100x, 200d, and 200x. “D” standing for daylight and “X” for bi-colour. All coming in at a fraction of the price compared to their Light Storm 120d and 300d fixtures. We were fortunate enough to get our hands on a 100d Amaran LED video light and we were not disappointed. Continue reading 100D — The Amaran LED Video Light Really Shines: Review

What is a Leko Light and How to Use It — Lighting Techniques

Gaffers and Cinematographers know the benefits of the Leko light. Once solely used for lighting up auditoriums and concert venues, these lights can now level up your scenes without spending more than a couple hundred dollars. For those unfamiliar, let’s go deeper. What is a Leko light and how can you use it on set?Continue reading What is a Leko Light and How to Use It — Lighting Techniques

Basics of Film Lighting — 4 Qualities of Light You Should Know

Have you ever wondered how to make your films look like the pros? You might feel inclined to blame your camera, your lenses, your budget, but that would be the wrong response. All of the great cinematographers study the characteristics of light. Learning how to control the fundamentals of lighting will allow you to shape light that creates images worthy of the big screen. Although we will be discussing cinematography lighting, all of these principles apply to photography lighting as well. As this series of articles on lighting techniques progress, we will go into greater detail about each of the four…

What is Fill Light — The Unsung Hero of 3 Point Lighting

Filmmakers always strive to make an audience feel a certain way when watching their films. One of the most fundamental ways is through lighting. And fill light is one of the most fundamental lighting methods to understand. It determines the contrast, shadows, and brightness of the shot. Understanding the fundamentals of light, how to shape it, and how to use it to elevate your story will make you a more well-rounded filmmaker. Once you grasp the basics of fill light and how it functions, you can create a lighting style that is unique and functional. Let’s dive into the fill…

Lighting Ratios Explained — And Why They Matter

Photography and cinematography are often referred to as “painting with light.” This means that photographers and videographers need to have a keen understanding of how to use light when capturing images, from both an artistic and scientific standpoint. Lighting ratios stand firmly in between the two camps, used creatively but achieved through a mathematical formula. Let’s look at what a lighting ratio is, and how you can use it.Continue reading Lighting Ratios Explained — And Why They Matter

Film Lighting Terms — A Complete Filmmaker’s Glossary

Knowing how to film means knowing how to light. As a cinematographer, videographer, or director, you need to know an entire glossary of film lighting terms in order to effectively communicate your vision to the crew. We’ve listed the most common lighting terms you’ll hear on set.Continue reading Film Lighting Terms — A Complete Filmmaker’s Glossary

Three-Point Video Lighting: Key, Fill, & Backlight Setup Guide

Why do filmmakers need to know about 3 point lighting? It's great for picture-day photography, but what if you’re looking for an explanation of how 3 point lighting works for film and video?We’re going to show you why 3 point lighting is important for filmmakers, but also take you deeper into some advanced techniques, and how you can use it to effectively light large scenes.Continue reading Three-Point Video Lighting: Key, Fill, & Backlight Setup Guide