Easy Video Lighting Fix: Unbleached Muslin Bounce | Curtis Judd

Here’s a quick demo showing you the difference between lighting with unbleached muslin versus bleached white bounce materials. Using muslin is an easy way to warm up and revitalize a lighting design that’s yielding asty skin tones or generally muted results– and it’s easy to DIY! Let’s see how it’s done.

If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F4, F6, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders. Our latest courses cover Sound for Live Streaming with the ATEM Mini and an Intro to Izotope RX.

Support my work creating videos by donating at Ko-Fi.com.

Gear used or mentioned in this episode. The links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:

- Unbleached Muslin Seamless Diffusion Fabric in various sizes — B&H

- Aputure 600D Pro Daylight LED Light — Aputure, B&H, Amazon

- Aputure Spotlight Max 36º Lens Kit — Aputure, B&H

Some of my other studio gear:

- Sennheiser MKH50 microphone — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Sound Devices MixPre audio recorder — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Impact Turtle-Base C-Stands — B&H, Amazon

- Aputure LS 600x Pro Bicolor LED Light — Aputure, B&H, Amazon

- Aputure Light Dome III Softbox — Aputure, B&H

- Amaran 300c RGBWW Single-Point LED Light — Aputure, B&H, Amazon

- Amaran Spotlight SE — Aputure, B&H, Amazon

- Rosco Prismatic Glass Gobo in Cool Lavender — B&H

- Canon C70 Cinema Camera — B&H

- Canon RF 24-70 f/2.8 lens — B&H, Amazon

- Panasonic GH5 camera — B&H, Amazon

- Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 II lens — B&H, Amazon

The intro and outro music for this episode is from Musicbed - “Dynamo” by Virgil Arles. Take your films to the next level with music from Musicbed. Sign up for a free account to listen for yourself.

Copyright 2024, Curtis Judd

New Course: Fundamentals of Lighting for Single-Person Interview & Talking Head Video

We've just released a new course! This course covers the fundamentals of lighting for single-person interviews and talking-head videos. We cover the basic concepts of lighting, walk through the materials you'll need, and– finally– lead you through three different hands-on lighting design demonstrations. At the end of the course you'll be equipped with all the conceptual tools and experience you need to beautifully light your talking-head interviews with ease!

Aputure Delta Pro Powered by EcoFlow — Big generator for LED lights on location

In this week’s episode we try out the Aputure DELTA Pro, a high-wattage power station for powering your lighting kit in the field and on location. With a 3600 watt-hour capacity, 15 different types of power outlets, and luggage-style wheels and handle, this battery is well-equipped to accompany you on your next on-location shoot. In this video we walk through the DELTA Pro’s features and demonstrate how we use it to get the most out of our lighting designs outside the studio. Let’s take a closer look!

If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F4, F6, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders. Our latest courses cover Sound for Live Streaming with the ATEM Mini and an Intro to Izotope RX.

Support my work creating videos by donating at Ko-Fi.com.

Gear used or mentioned in this episode. The links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, DVEStore, Perfect Circuit, Trew Audio or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:

- Aputure DELTA Pro electric generator — Aputure, B&H

- Aputure 600d Pro LED light — Aputure, B&H, Amazon

- Aputure 600x Pro LED Light — Aputure, B&H, Amazon

- Aputure 600c Pro LED Light — Aputure, B&H, Amazon

- Amaran 200x S LED light — B&H, Amazon, Aputure

- Aputure Light Dome II soft box — Aputure, B&H, Amazon

- Aputure Spotlight Mount — Aputure, B&H, DVE Store. Amazon

- Rosco Prismatic Glass Gobo in Cool Lavender — B&H

- Canon C70 Cinema Camera — B&H

- Panasonic GH5 camera — B&H, Amazon

- Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 II lens — B&H, Amazon

The intro and outro music for this episode is from Musicbed - “Dynamo” by Virgil Arles. Take your films to the next level with music from Musicbed. Sign up for a free account to listen for yourself.

Copyright 2023, Curtis Judd

How I Light My Backgrounds — Creative Background Lighting for Video

In this week’s episode we have a look at several methods of lighting the back of your set while filming talking-head shots. Putting some thought into what’s going on in the background of your shots can help sophisticate the look of your video. Here, we cover solid-color lighting as well as fancier effects that can be achieved with RGBLED lights, different color temperatures, and metal, glass, or homemade gobos. Let’s take a closer look!

If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F4, F6, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders. Our latest courses cover Sound for Live Streaming with the ATEM Mini and an Intro to Izotope RX.

Support my work creating videos by donating at Ko-Fi.com.

Gear used or mentioned in this episode. The links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, DVEStore, Perfect Circuit, Trew Audio or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:

- Aputure LS 300X used for background light — Aputure, B&H, Amazon

- Aputure Spotlight Mount — Aputure, B&H, DVE Store, Amazon

- Litepanels Gemini 1x1 LED panel — B&H, Amazon

- Rosco glass gobos — B&H

- Rosco steel gobos — B&H

- RODE NT1 Cardioid Condenser Microphone — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Sound Devices MixPre audio recorder — B&H, Trew Audio, Sweetwater, DVE Store, Amazon

- Rycote PCS Microphone Quick-Release System — B&H

- Canon C70 cinema camera — B&H

- Canon RF 24-70 f/2.8L lens — B&H, Amazon

- Schneider Radiant Soft 1 diffusion filter — B&H

- Panasonic GH5 camera — B&H, Amazon

- Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 II lens — B&H, Amazon

The intro and outro music for this episode is from Musicbed - “Dynamo” by Virgil Arles. Take your films to the next level with music from Musicbed. Sign up for a free account to listen for yourself.

Copyright 2023, Curtis Judd

Aputure LS 600c Pro LED light — Creative Lighting Demo

In this week’s episode, we have a look at Aputure’s newest addition to their Light Storm 600 series: the 600c Pro. This is Aputure’s first full-color point-source fixture and completes the Light Storm 600 trifecta alongside the 600D Pro and 600X Pro. It’s equipped with an RGBWW color LED array, a standard Bowens mount, a redesigned user interface, professional connectors, a variety of powering options, weather-resistant construction, and Sidus Link integration. In this video, we’ll show you a couple of ways it might be creatively used to light a film production. Let’s take a closer look!

Reviews of other Aputure 600 series LED lights:

600x Pro bi-color LED light

600d Pro daylight LED light

If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F4, F6, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders. Our latest courses cover Sound for Live Streaming with the ATEM Mini and an Intro to Izotope RX.

Support my work creating videos by donating at Ko-Fi.com.

Gear used or mentioned in this episode. The links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, DVEStore, Perfect Circuit, or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:

- Aputure Light Storm 600c Pro 600W RGBWW Point-Source LED Light — Aputure, B&H, DVE Store

- Aputure P300C LED used as key light — Aputure, B&H

- Aputure Spotlight Mount - Aputure, B&H, DVE Store. Amazon

- Rosco Prismatic Glass Gobo Cool Lavender creates the color pattern on the back wall - B&H

- Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 6K — B&H, DVE Store, Amazon

- Canon C70 camera — B&H

- Canon RF 24-70 f/2.8L lens — B&H, Amazon

- Sennheiser MKH8050 microphone — B&H, Amazon

- SoundDevices 888 Audio Recorder – Trew Audio, B&H, Sweetwater

Take your films to the next level with music from Musicbed. Sign up for a free account to listen for yourself.

Copyright 2022, Curtis Judd

Aputure LS 600X PRO LED Light — What makes it PRO?

In this week’s episode, we have a look at the Aputure LS 600X PRO LED light for video and film production. Specifically, we look at what makes this light professional versus a lot of other LED lighting instruments on the market. The Aputure Light Storm series of LED lights have come a long way!

If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F4, F6, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders. Our latest courses cover Sound for Live Streaming with the ATEM Mini and an Intro to Izotope RX.

Support my work creating videos by donating at Ko-Fi.com.

Gear used or mentioned in this episode. The links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, DVEStore, Perfect Circuit, or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:

- Aputure 600X PRO LED light — Aputure, B&H, DVE Store, Amazon

- Aputure 600D PRO LED Light — Aputure, B&H, DVE Store

- Aputure Light Dome II — Aputure, B&H, Amazon

- Aputure F10 Fresnel — Aputure, B&H, DVE Store, Amazon

- Aputure F10 Barn Doors — Aputure, B&H, DVE Store, Amazon

- Impact Luxbank softbox - B&H

- Aputure Amaran 100D - Aputure, B&H, DVE Store, Amazon

- Aputure Spotlight Mount - Aputure, B&H, DVE Store. Amazon

- Rosco Prismatic Glass Gobo Cool Lavender creates the color pattern on the back wall - B&H

- Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 6K - B&H, DVE Store, Amazon

- Simga EF 24-70mm f/2.8 lens - https://geni.us/bhOWVlW

Take your films to the next level with music from Musicbed. Sign up for a free account to listen for yourself.

Copyright 2022, Curtis Judd

Better Lighting for Your Videos: Flags, Bounce, Diffusion

In today’s episode, we cover some techniques and affordable tools you can use to improve the quality of your video lighting: Flags, bounce boards, and diffusion.

If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F4, F6, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders. Our latest course is Sound for Live Streaming with the ATEM Mini.

Super Flags and grip heads - Compact, lightweight light shaping flags you can use with their grip heads on any light stand.

Gear used or mentioned in this episode. The links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, Pictureline or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:

- C-stands - B&H, Amazon

- Impact Light stands lightweight - B&H, Amazon

- Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 6K - B&H, Pictureline

- Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 ART Lens - B&H, Pictureline, Amazon

- Aputure 300x LED Light - Aputure, B&H, Pictureline, Amazon

- Aputure Light Dome 2 soft box - Aputure, B&H, Pictureline, Amazon

- Aputure Nova LED Panel Light - Aputure, B&H, Pictureline

- Panasonic GH5 camera - B&H, Pictureline, Amazon

- Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 OIS Lens - B&H, Pictureline, Amazon

- Lupo Superpanel 30 Full Color Soft - B&H

The intro and outro music for this episode is from Musicbed - “For the Kids” by Utah. Get a free trial of the best music for your videos at Musicbed.

Copyright 2020, Curtis Judd

100K Thank You, Lighting, & Sound

Thanks for building a community focused on learning how to improve the visual and sound quality of video and film!

If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F4, F6, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders.

Music for this stream was "Back to You" by Utah. Get a free trial of the best music for your videos at Musicbed.

Gear used or discussed in this livestream. The links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, Pictureline or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:

- Earthworks SR314 condenser microphone stainless steel - B&H, Sweetwater

- Universal Audio Apollo x6 Thunderbolt 3 audio interface - B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon

- Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini Pro HDMI switcher & recorder - B&H, Amazon

- Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 DG OS HSM Art Lens for Canon EF - B&H, Pictureline, Amazon

- Canon C200 camera for demonstration shots and live-streaming - B&H, Pictureline

Copyright 2020, Curtis Judd

Light This Location Short Film Challenge

There is no better way to improve your lighting skills than to get out there and light a scene. Aputure is hosting the 2019 “Light this Location” short film challenge which is a great way to improve your lighting chops and exercise your creative skills. If you’re up for the challenge, check out the details at Light This Location.

CAME TV RGB Ring Light - Boltzen Cassiopeia C-50

In this episode, we have a look at the new foldable ring light from CAME-TV, the Boltzen Cassiopeia C-50. This is both an RGB light which can produce any color on the spectrum plus also be used as a daylight or tungsten balanced light for more traditional lighting. Interesting concept and an interesting light. Let’s take a closer look!

If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses including processing dialogue audio, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F8 and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders.

Links to gear used in this video:

Came-TV Boltzen Cassiopeia Ring Lights

Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K - I used this to record most of this episode

Panasonic 12-35mm F/2.8 OIS Lens (Amazon) - Used on the Pocket 4K camera

Aputure AL-MW (Amazon) - tiny, waterproof background light in talking head shots

Lupo Superpanel 30 Full Color - Pro level RGB background panel light in some of the product shots

Copyright 2019 by Curtis Judd

Music Copyright 2019 by Cary Judd. Used with permission.