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

Why Do Pros Use Gear Like This? Prolycht Orion 675 FS Full Spectrum LED Light

In this week’s episode, we discuss why the Prolycht Orion 675FS full-spectrum LED light, and other lights like it, are powerful tools in pro-level workflows. The Orion 675 light is brighter than 1.2K HMI and 2K tungsten lights, includes a full palette of common gel presets, and can be connected to various pro-level remote control solutions. In this video we talk through and demonstrate some of the 675’s key features and discuss how and why they’re important to pro productions and workflows. Let’s take a closer look!

Have a look at Newsshooter's detailed review of the 675 FS here.

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:

- Prolycht Orion 675 FS Full-Spectrum LED Light — B&H

- Prolycht Orion 300 — B&H

- XLR cables (high quality 59 C214) — B&H

- Sound Devices MixPre-3 II Series audio recorder — B&H, Sweetwater, DVE Store, Trew Audio, Amazon

- Sound devices Pix-E stand (for the MixPre) — Amazon

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

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

- Rosco Gobo creates the pattern on the back wall — B&H

- Canon C70 cinema camera — B&H

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

- Schneider Radiant Soft 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 2022, Curtis Judd

NANLITE Forza 60C — Tiny, full color light & talking head lighting ideas

In this week’s episode, we have a look at the NANLITE Forza 60C RGBLAC LED light. This small LED light adds 3 color chips- lime, amber, and cyan- to a traditional red/green/blue LED array for a wide range of output colors. The Forza 60C has several modes, including HSI, RGB, and XY, as well as a color temperature range of 1,800 to 20,000 K. The 60C kit includes the light itself, a few different powering options, an FM to Bowens mount adapter, and 45º reflector; you can also add on a fresnel lens and set of barn doors. In this episode we demonstrate how lights like the Forza 60C can be creatively used in various film projects and scenes.

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:

- NANLITE Forza 60C Full Color RGBLAC LED Light — B&H, Amazon

- NANLITE Fresnel Lens and Barndoors Set for Forza 60C — B&H

- Canon C70 cinema camera — B&H

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

- Schneider Radiant Soft diffusion filter — B&H

- Panasonic GH5 — B&H, Amazon

- Panasonic 12-35 mm F2.8 Lens — B&H, Amazon

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

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

- Aputure Amaran P60X used for rim light — B&H, Amazon

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

- Rosco Gobo creates the pattern on the back wall — B&H

- Sennheiser MKH8050 microphone — B&H, Amazon

- Sound Devices 888 audio recorder/mixer — Trew, B&H, Sweetwater

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 2022, 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

Aputure Amaran COB 60X and P60X LED Lights for Video Creators

In this episode, we have a look at the Aputure Amaran COB 60X and P60X LED lights for video. These little lights put out a good bit of light despite their size and their color quality is top notch. 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, or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:

- Aputure Amaran COB 60X single-point Bowens mount LED Light - Amazon

- Aputure Amaran P60X panel LED light - Amazon

- Umbrella for soft light - Amazon

- Impact soft box (the HUGE box I used for the key light) - B&H

- Cardelllini clamp to mount the soft box to a c-stand - B&H

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

- Aputure Light Dome Mini II - Aputure, B&H, 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

- Sound Devices MixPre series audio recorders - B&H, Sweetwater, DVE Store, Amazon

- Sennheiser MKH8050 microphone - B&H, Amazon

- Panasonic GH5 camera — B&H, Amazon

- Olympus 45mm f/1.8 lens — B&H, Amazon

- Canon C70 Camera — B&H

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

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

Copyright 2021, Curtis Judd

Lupo Movielight 300 Dual Color PRO LED Light for video and photography

In this episode, we have a look at the Lupo Movielight 300 Dual Color PRO. This is Lupo’s Bowens mount, single-point light, which is also color tunable between 2800K and 6500 K. Let’s take a closer look at using this light for video production.

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 are Sound for Live Streaming with the ATEM Mini and Introduction 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:

- Lupo Movielight series of LED Lights for video and photography used as the key light in this video — B&H

- Lupo Actionpanel LED light used for rim light — B&H

- Panasonic GH5 camera — B&H, Amazon

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

- Canon C200 camera — B&H

- Canon 24-105mm f/4L lens — B&H, Amazon

- Aputure Amaran 100D LED light used to light the back wall with the spotlight mount — Aputure, B&H, DVE Store, Amazon

- Aputure Spotlight Mount ellipsoidal projection lens for Aputure COB lights — Aputure, B&H, DVE Store, Amazon

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

Copyright 2021, Curtis Judd

LED Lighting Evolution Featuring the Prolycht Orion 300 FS

In this episode, I talk about how the Prolycht Orion 300 FS’s Hyperlight light engine is an evolutionary step forward for film and video production.

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.

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:

- Prolycht Orion 300 FS LED light and accessories - B&H

- Chimera 4x4 frame - B&H https://geni.us/enY27

- Chimera 4x4 full cloth - B&H

- Spring Clips to hold bounce material on c-stand - Amazon

- C-stand - B&H, Amazon

- Foam core poster board - Amazon

- Sekonic C800 photo spectrometer - B&H, Amazon

- Sekonic Speedmaster L-858D-U Light Meter - B&H, Amazon

- Sennheiser MKH 8050 microphone - B&H, Amazon

- Sound Devices 888 audio recorder - B&H, Sweetwater

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

- Signa EF 24-70 f/2.8 DG OS ART lens - B&H, Amazon

- Schneider Radiant Soft Diffusion Filter - B&H

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

Copyright 2021, Curtis Judd

When to use Hard Light featuring the Lupo Dayled 1000 Dual Pro LED Light

In this episode, I talk about when hard light is useful for interview video. Then we review the Lupo Dayled 1000 Dual Pro LED fresnel light. I love having a hard light to create background effects and the nice thing about hard lights is that you can bounce them to make them soft.

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.

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:

- Lupo Dayled 1000 Dual Pro LED fresnel light - B&H

- Lupo Superpanel LED lights - B&H

- Chimera 4x4 frame - B&H

- Chimera 4x4 full cloth - B&H

- 5-in-1 reflector - B&H, Amazon

- Sound Blanket Producer’s Choice by Vocal Booth to Go

- Spring Clips to hold bounce material on c-stand - Amazon

- C-stand - B&H, Amazon

- Foam core poster board - Amazon

- Sekonic C800 photo spectrometer - B&H, Amazon

- Sekonic Speedmaster L-858D-U Light Meter - B&H, Amazon

- Sennheiser MKH 8050 microphone - B&H, Amazon

- Sound Devices 888 audio recorder - B&H, Sweetwater

- Panasonic GH5 camera for b-roll - B&H, Amazon

- Panasonic 12-35 f/2.8 IOS Lens - B&H, Amazon

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

- Signa EF 24-70 f/2.8 DG OS ART lens - B&H, Amazon

- Schneider Radiant Soft Diffusion Filter - B&H

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

Copyright 2021, Curtis Judd

Interview Lighting Part III - Book Lighting - Natural Look

Be sure to also check out the first two parts of our interview lighting series:

Quick lighting designs with LED Panels:

Soft Key Light:

Block, Bounce, Diffuse:

In this episode, I demo book lighting - a way to make very natural looking light. This works well when you have existing light and you want to keep it looking natural while also making sure the existing light doesn’t change and ruin an interview half way through!

Thanks to Litepanels for providing the Gemini and Astra 1x1 panel lights for this demonstration.

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.

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:

- Litepanels Gemini 1x1 Hard RGBWW LED Light - B&H, Amazon

- Litepanels Gemini 1x1 Soft RGBWW LED Light - B&H

- Grid for 60 degree beam - B&H, Amazon

- Litepanels Bluetooth dongle for Gemini - B&H

- Litepanels Astra series of panel lights, more affordable - B&H

- Rosco 1/2 soft frost - B&H

- Chimera 4x4 frame - B&H

- Chimera 4x4 full cloth - B&H

- 5-in-1 reflector - B&H, Amazon

- Sound Blanket Producer’s Choice - Vocal Booth To Go

- Spring Clips to hold bounce material on c-stand - Amazon

- C-stand - B&H, Amazon

- Foam core poster board - Amazon

- Sekonic Speedmaster L-858D-U Light Meter - B&H, Amazon

- Sennheiser MKH 8050 microphone - B&H, Amazon

- Sound Devices 888 audio recorder - B&H, Sweetwater

- Panasonic GH5 camera for b-roll - B&H, Amazon

- Panasonic 12-35 f/2.8 IOS Lens - B&H, Amazon

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

- Signa EF 24-70 f/2.8 DG OS ART lens - B&H, Amazon

- Schneider Radiant Soft Diffusion Filter - B&H

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

Copyright 2021, Curtis Judd