Tools used in Lighting

Basics of Video Camera, Lights & Sound

Unit 3
Topic 21
Presentation by- Mohit Kishore Vatsa
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 Objectives of the Lecture

• To explain the students about different tools used in lighting

• To understand about their use in video production

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 Lecture Outcomes

After going through this lesson, a student shall be able to

understand:
• Different tools used in lighting
• Use of such tools in video production

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 Lighting Tools

Gels
• Coloured gelatin sheets, placed in front of the lights will create
different intensities of reds, yellow and blues.
• Other colours and textures are also available for effects.
• The most commonly used are the cellophane sheets.

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 Lighting Tools (Contd..)

Diffusers
• Flame-proof ‘spun’ fibre glass sheets fixed over the lamp, or
some material such as butter paper supported in a large frame.
• Work as diffusers and will diffuse the lights, making it softer
and reducing its intensities.

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 Reflectors

• Reflectors: Reflectors, including white umbrellas and handheld

circular flexible material and white thermocol sheets, add a
filling of light, reflecting it gently back from its source.
• White umbrellas, are used indoors, reflectors are mostly used
outdoors in newsgathering and simple interview situations.
• Flexible reflectors are available in different sizes in the market
and fit into a carry bag when folded.
• Reflectors are of two types- hard and soft.

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 Reflectors (Contd..)
• The hard surface is a flat surface, either hand-held or stand-
mounted, with a polished surface reflecting either sunlight or
an artificial light.
• It is normally 4 feet x 2 feet in dimension and used outdoors in
soaps and commercials.
• It usually has both hard and soft reflectors pasted on to them on
either side to reflect the required kind of light.
• Mounted on stands, it can withstand winds and bounce light
exactly where desired.

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 Reflectors (Contd..)

• The soft reflectors are flexible or foldable, and made of fabric.

• While one side is gold, the other is silver or pure white.
• These fabric reflectors are preferred in interview situations
because they are highly portable.
• To save cost thermocol sheets or even white chart paper can
also be used.

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 Reflectors (Contd..)

Reflectors Indoors
• They can be used to bounce off strong light from a window or
even from artificial lights.
• We can use reflectors stands to mount when shooting a
stationary subject so reflectors are also used to fill in light in a
scene.
• The room ceiling can act as one of the best reflectors.

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 Reflectors (Contd..)

• It is best not to point a sun gun at the subject because it

produces heat and makes the subject uncomfortable.
• Instead point the sun gun to the ceiling of the room or a wall
opposite the subject to have a soft light illuminate the subject.

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 Suggested Further Readings & References

• Belavadi, V. (2013). Video Production. New Delhi: Oxford

University Press.
• Donald, R., & Spann, T. (2000). Fundamentals of Television
Production. Wiley.
• Millerson, G. (1999). The Technique of Television Production.
London: Focal Press.
• Zettl, H. (2005). Television Production Handbook, Cengage
Learning.
• Source of Images: Video Basics, Sixth Edition, Herbert Zettl

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Thank you

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