Lighting - tips, tricks, links, etc.

[Miss_Trixie]

Just for simplicity sake, reposting my detailed info here .

------

The following post is copied from a previous thread in the Models Only section (which you should get model status so you can access that area!)

Basically 4 of these, http://www.target.com/p/room-essentials ... A-12242155 2 in black, two in white one in/near each corner of my room, plus a fluorescent light behind my TV/pc monitors, and a 2 bulb lamp on the floor near the legs of my cam tripod.

Here's some pics:

In front of me: 2 tall floor lamps, 1 desk lamp (on floor) and the florescent behind the TVs

Behind

Then the other floor lamp is to my right and slightly behind me.

I only use soft white bulbs, as the daylight ones make me look way too pale and wash out all the colors on cam. I use a Logitech 9000 still, because the c910/920/930e all have the same effect of the daylight bulbs: washed out and pale, colorless.

I've used the pro lighting setup with umbrellas for a video and a couple photo sets. I find them too bright and "daylight" and much prefer my own lamps.

Edit to add: here's what my cam feed looks like with the current lighting setup:

--------

In my new cam room, I have much ligher neutral colored walls, so I've done away with the fluorescent light behind the TVs as the walls reflect a bit more light. I also don't have to turn on every single bulb in each lamp.

I personally find the professional light kits annoying and have only used them for a couple of my videos and not in my daily cam space.

 

[Miss_Trixie]

Thank you for the lighting tips. I think being older it is even more important....

 

[Harper]

I've been wondering about the height of the lights. Is an overhead light necessary to balance out the mid-level and under-cam lights? My overhead light is too high up and small to make much of a difference. Should I add more?

 

[Sevrin]

I've been wondering about the height of the lights. Is an overhead light necessary to balance out the mid-level and under-cam lights? My overhead light is too high up and small to make much of a difference. Should I add more?

That's not a lot to go by. Optimal lighting will vary from room to room, and from model to model.

 

[JerryBoBerry]

Been seeing more and more people use these for under cabinet lighting in kitchens and other places. Has any model used LED strip lighting for camming yet? They seem rather simple to set up. Sticky back tape means they can go under your desk easily. Some come in colors with remote controls. You could easily put up a border on the wall all around your cam desk to light forward with no shadows. And there's clip connectors so no soldering is required.

Amazon

 

[Janelle]

I have been researching like mad on lighting. The umbrellas setup would be tough for me to set up and break down every day, and with limited floor space, adjusting it would be tough. I did some searching on Amazon (I have Prime), and found this: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003A9E734/ref=psdc_1063294_t1_B001ANRC3E I figured using two of them in front, one to each side? I have a small incandescent type desk lamp w/shade behind me, nice warm-ish glow. My room has white walls, but they are not fully exposed, and one entire corner of the room has black-out curtains over the windows. The links to the lamps Amber uses are no good, could not find those lamps while searching Target.

If those would work, what bulbs? Should I diffuse them with something?

Also, I would really like to create some ambiance, probably changing that up every so often to avoid boredom. I am thinking of doing some fairy lights, initially in warm white, behind me, cascading from the top of a 4-poster canopy style bed, behind some colored sheer fabric. Few other ideas as well Love being creative and exercising my imagination, perverse as it usually may be

 

[Cutie_Kisses]

There are dedicated public camsite threads, but I've yet to see a dedicated public lighting thread, so this can be a space to ask questions, share tips & tricks and such!


I went through the public section and gathered up any noteworthy threads that discuss lighting in some sort of detail for easier viewing:

Lights Page taken from the super helpful Camgirl Wiki

How to lighting for a room
lighting
The cost of camming
Camera angles and lighting are important
Lighting recomendations?
Good cam/shitty cam <-- not specifically about lighting, but worth a glance, imo

:hello2:

THIS IS SO HELPFUL THANK YOUUUUU

 

[Cutie_Kisses]

I have such a mixture of every kind of lighting in my cam space and I use it ALLLLL! Being a redhead (I'm hard to light) who moves all over my camspace and needs to be well lit everywhere, I've definitely adopted the kitchen sink lighting strategy.

When it comes to overall room lighting, everyone is different and will benefit from different setups.
My two best tips that really apply to everyone are
1. Defuse your light. Paper lamps, shades, shoot through umbrellas... any form of lighting will be best diffused to create a more even and soft light source.

2. Have a low placed light, such as a desk lamp on the floor to avoid that dark hole affect, especially if you often stand.

I've started using pillow cases to diffuse light, it works great!

 

[Cutie_Kisses]

I have been researching like mad on lighting. The umbrellas setup would be tough for me to set up and break down every day, and with limited floor space, adjusting it would be tough. I did some searching on Amazon (I have Prime), and found this: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003A9E734/ref=psdc_1063294_t1_B001ANRC3E I figured using two of them in front, one to each side? I have a small incandescent type desk lamp w/shade behind me, nice warm-ish glow. My room has white walls, but they are not fully exposed, and one entire corner of the room has black-out curtains over the windows. The links to the lamps Amber uses are no good, could not find those lamps while searching Target.

If those would work, what bulbs? Should I diffuse them with something?

Also, I would really like to create some ambiance, probably changing that up every so often to avoid boredom. I am thinking of doing some fairy lights, initially in warm white, behind me, cascading from the top of a 4-poster canopy style bed, behind some colored sheer fabric. Few other ideas as well Love being creative and exercising my imagination, perverse as it usually may be

I have a similar situation where I can't use professional lighting either.

I use regular old lamps with "soft white" bulbs that are 550 lumens, I find they create a nice warm feel. I diffuse with paper plates and or white printer paper depending on how much light I need to block out (they haven't caught fire like I was initially afraid of but I've had them that way for two years now with no issue)

Those lamps you linked to would definitely be good.

 

[Cutie_Kisses]

Been seeing more and more people use these for under cabinet lighting in kitchens and other places. Has any model used LED strip lighting for camming yet? They seem rather simple to set up. Sticky back tape means they can go under your desk easily. Some come in colors with remote controls. You could easily put up a border on the wall all around your cam desk to light forward with no shadows. And there's clip connectors so no soldering is required.

Amazon

I tried this last week, the lights turned on for all of 5 minutes and then never came back on, also the tape didn't stick very well. It is a good idea though, maybe you will have a better experience.

 

[AmberCutie]

I use regular old lamps with "soft white" bulbs that are 550 lumens, I find they create a nice warm feel. I diffuse with paper plates and or white printer paper depending on how much light I need to block out (they haven't caught fire like I was initially afraid of but I've had them that way for two years now with no issue)

If you invest in LED versions of these bulbs, you'll find they don't nearly get hot like regular bulbs. Perks are they save you electricity and your cam room won't get so unbearably warm with many of them on for a few hours at a time.

 

[camille_]

I second that. One night Miss_Lollipop got on cam but didn't have her usual lighting. She just had a desk lamp behind her laptop facing toward her. It gave a softer glow that highlighted her great. She looked really beautiful in just that simple light.

I can't seam to keep from looking wasted out!

 

[Janelle]

Given my disability, and how it can limit available space, ability to setup and break down, etc, and after seeing what others opted for (primarily Amber! ), I took a chance and grabbed this lamp from WalMart: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Mainstays-HBT-60302F-Mainstays-64-Track-Tree-Floor-Lamp-Black/12173440

So far, it is working great with some 14W (60W equiv) CFL bulbs.
The shades on each lamp allow enough light through, so I aim them in different directions (one up-ish, other two down and off to side slightly) so they do not aim into my face. Have not tried diffusers yet, but might at some point (tough enough getting the cam thing figured, lol). Each lamp has its own switch. They even had little desk lamps that looked VERY similar. I have asked people in my room if the cam is okay, lighting okay, etc. I was even asked what cam I was using, and the person asked because it looked so good! I was afraid it looked bad, HahHA!

 

[camille_]

I just want to say I strongly reccomend DAYLIGHT/full spectrum bulbs. These bulbs are white and mimic natural sunlight (usually around 7000k). Yellow or blue lamps can make you look weird. Avoid having brightly colored walls or curtains around your camspace as well because these things can reflect back on to you and mess up your white balance.

For my lighting I bought TWO of this set http://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/2pk-combo-set/6000134546239

They are inexpensive, tasteful enough for my livingroom, and create a diffused light. My concern when shopping was that I dont have a dedicated cam room, so I wanted something nice-ish looking that people wouldn't question.

If you have a dedicated space or dont worry about looks, you can get these http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/likewise-trouble-lamp-with-4m-cord-0525012p.html at any hardware store. You can also buy stands for them. Much cheaper than photography lighting equipment, porn sets use them all the time.

This is the tutorial I used waaay back when. Its the basic whatever thats been hashed out a million times.


Thats my :twocents-02cents: on lighting!

Good info!

 

[CamiSnowflake]

you girls are amazing! i've learned so much for ACF already.

 

[ZoeSlave]

Thank you this was super helpful for my very first video and helping me for future shows

 

[alexa_voltage]

I actually had a photographer give me pointers on my lighting. I sent him pictures of my camroom and he suggested since I have limited space to get one lighting source. I I currently use three umbrella lights, my closet light for light on the side and the over head light in my room. I also used to use one of those huge lights that curves overhead that has 6 bulbs. yeah I realized it was way too much . He told me that I had way too much lighting and all these lighting sources were overpowering the ones that I wanted to use for my lighting. He said just using the umbrellas alone is better. He also recommended that I buy an umbrella that is 71 inches across and use it as my main source. take away the 3 smaller umbrellas I use now and just put the big one on one of the lights. just using the lights that were attached. and than take the other 2 and shine them through. I'm gonna try it and see if it works. Maybe it will give you guys ideas too

 

[Shutterbuck]

...He also recommended that I buy an umbrella that is 71 inches across and use it as my main source. take away the 3 smaller umbrellas I use now and just put the big one on one of the lights. just using the lights that were attached. and than take the other 2 and shine them through. I'm gonna try it and see if it works. Maybe it will give you guys ideas too

Just playing devil's advocate here... but have you considered the size of the umbrella he is recommending? I have four or 5 of them and I love them for a quick and clean, 1 light scenario... however, they're HUGE! Huge is great for soft, even lighting but If you don't have the room to justify having one of these things looming over you, you might want to consider something a touch smaller.
Just for size reference, here's a picture:

That's Lux Neon over there on the left. She's not the tallest cam girl I've met... but she's no elf, either. The light and umbrella are about 7 feet from her.

 

[alexa_voltage]

Yes I considered the size lol. I wouldn't buy something if I hadn't considered it. Hes a professional light instructor so I'm pretty sure he knows what hes talking about. with the way my room is set up it should work just fine. Can't be any worse than what I have now lmao xD

 

[Tyra Spanxxx]

There are dedicated public camsite threads, but I've yet to see a dedicated public lighting thread, so this can be a space to ask questions, share tips & tricks and such!


I went through the public section and gathered up any noteworthy threads that discuss lighting in some sort of detail for easier viewing:

Lights Page taken from the super helpful Camgirl Wiki

How to lighting for a room
lighting
The cost of camming
Camera angles and lighting are important
Lighting recomendations?
Good cam/shitty cam <-- not specifically about lighting, but worth a glance, imo

:hello2:

Thank you! My new umbrella lights just arrived and I am still playing with them to figure out my set up.

 

[Pandagrl]

Just for simplicity sake, reposting my detailed info here .

------

The following post is copied from a previous thread in the Models Only section (which you should get model status so you can access that area!)

Basically 4 of these, http://www.target.com/p/room-essentials ... A-12242155 2 in black, two in white one in/near each corner of my room, plus a fluorescent light behind my TV/pc monitors, and a 2 bulb lamp on the floor near the legs of my cam tripod.

Here's some pics:

In front of me: 2 tall floor lamps, 1 desk lamp (on floor) and the florescent behind the TVs

Behind

Then the other floor lamp is to my right and slightly behind me.

I only use soft white bulbs, as the daylight ones make me look way too pale and wash out all the colors on cam. I use a Logitech 9000 still, because the c910/920/930e all have the same effect of the daylight bulbs: washed out and pale, colorless.

I've used the pro lighting setup with umbrellas for a video and a couple photo sets. I find them too bright and "daylight" and much prefer my own lamps.

Edit to add: here's what my cam feed looks like with the current lighting setup:

--------

In my new cam room, I have much ligher neutral colored walls, so I've done away with the fluorescent light behind the TVs as the walls reflect a bit more light. I also don't have to turn on every single bulb in each lamp.

I personally find the professional light kits annoying and have only used them for a couple of my videos and not in my daily cam space.

WOW that set up rocks! Love it! a room dedicated just for camming! love the big screen set up, this is something i need to do in the future. for now im in my bedroom with a ceiling light,works good for lighting for me. thanks for sharing tips!

 

[CandyGlitter]

Still trying to figure out how to prevent my ring lights from reflecting in my glasses while filming. I've purchased a diffuser and I have anti-reflective coating on my glasses, but I can still see the outline of the light in my glasses on camera.

 

[Rose]

Still trying to figure out how to prevent my ring lights from reflecting in my glasses while filming. I've purchased a diffuser and I have anti-reflective coating on my glasses, but I can still see the outline of the light in my glasses on camera.

If you ever figure that out, please let me know. I've given up wearing mine during filming because I just can't get it to go away. And forget ever going near the camera in them, that makes it like 10 million times worse.

 

[Lucyxx]

hey guys, only a week into this so this may not be useful but i hope it can help someone out like it helped me. I've got a couple of those cowboy studio lights from amazon (and was amazed by how good they were!). The only thing i keep forgetting is, if i move positions in my room, i.e. from the desk to the bed, I keep forgetting to re-angle the lights leaving my face in a slight shadow, making it looking grey and often a bit odd thanks to the light from my laptop screen. I now make sure each time i move to just take a sec to check my face is illuminated by the lights and it seems to help (I've been told it makes a big difference). Hope this can help some people!

 

[Somnia Mia]

Does anyone here use the Logitech 930? I have read many tutorials about lighting. Most of the suggestions don't seem to work well with the 930 an my skin tone. I'm very washed out. The 930 seems that it doesn't need much light at all. Anyone else have experience with this camera?

 

[Daiisyyyy]

I second that. One night Miss_Lollipop got on cam but didn't have her usual lighting. She just had a desk lamp behind her laptop facing toward her. It gave a softer glow that highlighted her great. She looked really beautiful in just that simple light.

This is how I do my lighting sometimes but be warned! Having a light that close and aimed directly at you is extremely hot after a few hours! Hydrate chica

 

[AmberCutie]

extremely hot after a few hours

LED Bulbs!

 

[Daiisyyyy]

Ahaaaa. Thanks love! Did you get my MFC mail?

 

[ZoeSlave]

To the ladies about the outline of your frames appearing on your glasses, it is only a suggestion and has seemed to work for me so far....
I have a lamp that sits relatievely close to just behind my laptop and webcam on one side and face it to the main centre area of where I am most on cam, in the corner where its able to be seen I have a tall lamp that shines pretty bright ulliminating most of my room on screen. Then I have a 3rd and most of the time a final lamp at the end of my bed off screen, where its not too bright but gets rid of the shadow on the right side of me and behind me as well.
There are some days where the lighting is not sufficent enough and so then I would turn on my over head light on as well in my room the other 3 lamps and would only turn off the dim light at the end of my bed if need be...

Hopes this help all fellow glasses xoxoxo
May not work for everyone but so far it has worked for me

 

[alexa_voltage]

Just for simplicity sake, reposting my detailed info here .

------

The following post is copied from a previous thread in the Models Only section (which you should get model status so you can access that area!)

Basically 4 of these, http://www.target.com/p/room-essentials ... A-12242155 2 in black, two in white one in/near each corner of my room, plus a fluorescent light behind my TV/pc monitors, and a 2 bulb lamp on the floor near the legs of my cam tripod.

Here's some pics:

In front of me: 2 tall floor lamps, 1 desk lamp (on floor) and the florescent behind the TVs

Behind

Then the other floor lamp is to my right and slightly behind me.

I only use soft white bulbs, as the daylight ones make me look way too pale and wash out all the colors on cam. I use a Logitech 9000 still, because the c910/920/930e all have the same effect of the daylight bulbs: washed out and pale, colorless.

I've used the pro lighting setup with umbrellas for a video and a couple photo sets. I find them too bright and "daylight" and much prefer my own lamps.

Edit to add: here's what my cam feed looks like with the current lighting setup:

--------

In my new cam room, I have much ligher neutral colored walls, so I've done away with the fluorescent light behind the TVs as the walls reflect a bit more light. I also don't have to turn on every single bulb in each lamp.

I personally find the professional light kits annoying and have only used them for a couple of my videos and not in my daily cam space.

Would the light shades being colored change the lighting on webcam? I assumed they would. But I am having a hard time finding reasonably priced ones that arent colored :/ idk if I could just switch them out for ones that arent colored but it doesnt look like it. I found some track tree ones with the three lights that arent colored but they dont have as much movement