{"id":1187,"date":"2020-03-17T11:31:04","date_gmt":"2020-03-17T11:31:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.spotlight.com\/?p=1187"},"modified":"2026-02-10T16:16:08","modified_gmt":"2026-02-10T16:16:08","slug":"lighting-and-sound-for-self-tapes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.spotlight.com\/news-and-advice\/the-essentials\/lighting-and-sound-for-self-tapes\/","title":{"rendered":"Lighting and Sound for Self-Tapes"},"content":{"rendered":"

A guide to lighting and sound for performer self-tapes from Spotlight’s Audio Visual Specialist, Nicholas Peel.<\/h2>\n

If you’ve read our article about\u00a0setting up and filming self-tapes<\/a>\u00a0and are ready to learn more about lighting and recording sound, then this is the guide for you! Nicholas gives his tips and kit recommendations if you’re ready to take the self-tape recording to the next level.<\/p>\n

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If you’re filming with natural light, don’t film with the performer standing in front of windows as they\u2019ll appear as a silhouette on camera<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Lighting Self-tapes<\/h3>\n

Lighting is important when it comes to making self-tapes look amazing. You can use natural light but\u00a0if you are in the UK you can\u2019t always guarantee the sun will be out so it may be worth investing in some studio lights for those dark and dreary days.\u00a0If you Google \u2018video softbox<\/a>\u2019, you\u2019ll find some brilliant plug-in studio lights on stands that cost around \u00a330 each.<\/p>\n

There are\u00a0two different types of light:<\/p>\n

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  1. Soft light\u00a0is from a large source, which casts few shadows on a subject and is flattering\u00a0on people’s skin tones.<\/li>\n
  2. Hard light\u00a0is from a small source and casts sharp shadows on the subject. Be aware that if you\u2019re filming using your smartphone, the light can cast hard shadows and create a hotspot that makes skin look a bit odd.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Our top lighting tips:<\/p>\n