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Izzy Video 014 – The Difference One Light Can Make

New to Izzy Video? A few things you should know: I created this site to be a resource to help you get started and develop your skills in shooting video. I've posted more than 100 video tutorials on how to shoot and edit video. Several are free downloads, and I consistently release new tutorials every month. You'll notice that many videos are available to members only.

Finally, I recommend you subscribe to my RSS feed, or the newsletter (the form is in the sidebar) to make sure you get new videos as they're released. Thanks for visiting!

izzyvideo14

Inside this video tutorial you’ll find an extra surprise (a big announcement, and I won’t spoil it here).

Anyway, this tutorial demonstrates more basic light information, and also shows the impact of good lighting. If you’re frustrated by the type of picture you get with your camera when shooting around the house, this episode might provide some answers to your problems.

This video is for members only.

Update:

I had to repost the file, slightly edited. It’s just my voice at the end now. Unfortunately there was a technical problem with the rendering that created a funny glitch in the previous version.

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16 Responses to “Izzy Video 014 – The Difference One Light Can Make”

  1. Dan Wenz says:

    I look forward to browsing your site, for which I offer thanks.
    I use Win XP Home and downloaded your Episode 14, but no luck opening it, yet. I did download Quicktime thinking it would be needed, but the file is an “m4v” file and won’t open, so far. I tried renaming it “mov”, still no luck. Or are Podcasts involved, about which I am ignorant :-) Any help appreciated, thanks.

  2. MIchael Hogan says:

    Israel,

    These tutorial videos are excellent. I am teaching myself how to make some video with my DV camera. I knew a few things, but these vidoes are a great resource. Thank you so much.

  3. Chris Johnson says:

    Israel, Izzy, the Man!,

    You certainly have a polished skill in capturing technique. You’re ability to clearly demonstrate techniques, explain them and most importantly capture these together and produce such wonderful podcast tutorials in easy to follow.

    I like that you are very down to earth and just give great simple advice. I am anxious to see how your next venture works out, Glimpster. I’m waiting to see what else you can produce. I hope I haven’t expressed that I have high expectation of you :-)

    Your podcast is the best I’ve seen that suites my interests.

    Keep up the good work.

    Chris

  4. dibbkd says:

    Izzy, I really learned a lot from this lighting tutorial. I have never really thought about the light before, but see now what a difference it makes.

    More of these lighting videos would be nice, and maybe you could go into details about what brand of lights, bulbs, or whatever you use.

    This of course will increase the video hobby budget if I have to buy more stuff, but hey, that’s what hobbies are for right? :)

  5. Israel says:

    Kevin,

    Lights are certainly expensive, especially since it’s important to buy good lights.

    It’s my opinion that if you have $2,000 to spend on your video hobby, you take $1000 and buy lights and the other $1000 and buy a camera. Then you borrow $500 and buy a good microphone. Heh.

    Lights are critical, as important (or maybe more) as the camera.

    Thanks for the great feedback as always.

  6. downloads but does not run says:

    please debug

  7. Glenn says:

    I’m having the sample problem as Dan Wenz where I can’t play this particular episode on either Quicktime or iTunes on my PC.

  8. Glenn says:

    Works now! Excellent tute as usual ;)

  9. Freevlog » New Vlog: Izzy Video: DV Tutorials in Video Podcast Form says:

    [...] Comment: http://www.izzyvideo.com/2006/01/07/izzy-video-14-the-difference-one-light-can-make/ [...]

  10. BlogaCine | Blog Venezolano de Cine » ‘Izzy Video’: más tutoriales sobre producción y postproducción de video says:

    [...] Hasta ahora su autor, Israel Hyman —un fanático de Apple y un editor de Final Cut Pro—, ha publicado una veintena de video tutoriales que cubren temas como continuidad (y la dirección de objetos y personajes dentro del encuadre), el montaje de fotos fijas, los tres puntos de iluminación, la exposición, efectos con la opacidad, o la diferencia que puede hacer en una imagen, el uso de una luz, entre otros. [...]

  11. HB Radke says:

    Izzy;

    I really got a lot out of your series. I will be putting your tips to work on all of my upcoming videos. You also inspired me to start a vblog http://www.radke.com/vblog

    Shalom
    HB

  12. Grant says:

    Nice instruction videos. Make us feel like a pro.

    Just one question though. What is a m4v format and how do I run it on my PC?

  13. Israel says:

    M4V is the native video format for the iPod Video. You can also watch it using itunes. If you need to download iTunes, visit http://www.apple.com/itunes

  14. Corl says:

    Amazing results! That is exactly the results I’m looking to get in my video. I thought I’d have to buy a high end camera.

    What kind of light did you use for your key light here? What degrees was it in the Kelvin range? What wattage was it? Did you set your white balance to it’s light reflecting off the board?

    Do you know if one can use a more common full spectrum light, instead of speciality professional grade bulb?

    Thanks

  15. Bill Bliss says:

    Izzy, I would be interested in your take on my one-light technique. Although three point lighting is great when you can do it and control where your subject is, you really can’t do it in uncontrolled situations like a kid’s birthday party. I found quickly that using a bright light on the camera was worse than using flat room light because it was an unnatural glare and it really bothered the kids and distracted them, both with the wincing, then the showing off. My solution was to take one or more of those tall halogen torch lamps that were popular a while ago (and cheap!) and bounce good halogen light off the ceiling. The kids got used to it quickly, it didn’t move around attracting attention to itself, and I had much better light to work with to catch the natural action. Of course having all the light come from overhead did make the shadows somewhat unnatural, but with the entire ceiling as a light source, the shadows were soft.

  16. Bonnie says:

    I was looking for info about lighting and caught this. Thanks!

    I also wanted to say that your little Trinity totally STEALS THE SHOW. Holy cow, what a cutie.

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