Adding More Light

To this point, you’ve made do with the lighting you have. However, just as you might use a flash to add light to your still photography, it is natural to use additional lights for shooting your video. Keep in mind that your eyes are far more sensitive to light than your DSLR camera when shooting video. The use of extra lights can go a long way toward creating a sharper image. Just remember that you’ll need to white balance the camera again if you change the lighting in your room or location.

Using Practical Lights

Film and video professionals often refer to the “real” lights at a location as practical lights (Figure 8.4). They can include floor lamps, desk lamps, or any other indoor lighting you might find at a location. If you’re shooting in a dark room, consider adjusting the lighting level. If you’re lucky, the lights will have a dimmer or three-position switch so you can adjust the intensity of the light until you have a level that works well for your scene.