Podcasting has evolved from a simple audio-only format into a medium where video is equally important. Video podcasts offer a more engaging experience for viewers, allowing you to create a connection with your audience through visual storytelling. One key element that can make or break the quality of your podcast video is lighting.
In this blog, we’ll explore how to create the perfect podcast lighting setup using high-quality, professional equipment. Whether you're recording from a home studio or a professional setting, getting the lighting right is essential to producing sharp, clear, and visually appealing video content. Let's break down the essential gear you need and why it’s critical for your podcast.
Why Good Lighting Matters for Podcasts
Before we delve into the gear, it's important to understand why lighting is so vital for podcasts. Whether you're recording in a studio, at home, or on location, good lighting affects several crucial elements:
Clarity: Poor lighting can obscure facial expressions and make your video podcast look unprofessional. Proper lighting ensures the speakers are well-lit, making their expressions and movements clear to viewers.
Mood and Atmosphere: Different lighting setups can create specific moods. A warm, soft light can create a cozy atmosphere, while brighter, cooler lighting can evoke a more clinical or professional feel.
Focus: Good lighting keeps the speaker as the focal point, directing attention to what matters most—the podcast's content.
Video Quality: Even with a high-quality camera, poor lighting can result in grainy or low-resolution footage. Proper lighting enhances the video’s sharpness and overall quality, preventing visual noise or artifacts caused by insufficient light.
Colour Accuracy: Using high CRI (Color Rendering Index) rated lights is essential for reproducing accurate colours in both photos and videos. Lights with a high CRI (90+) ensure that skin tones, objects, and backgrounds appear true to life, maintaining consistency across different devices and viewing platforms.
This is particularly important in podcasts where maintaining a natural or specific look is key to delivering a professional-grade production.
Now that we understand the importance of lighting, let's explore the essential equipment required to create the perfect podcast lighting setup.
Essential Lighting Equipment
C-Stand for Lighting
A solid stand is crucial for positioning your lights effectively. The Silver Heavy Duty Photographic C-Stand with Boom Arm is an excellent choice for this purpose. This versatile stand can support heavy and large lights, making it suitable for various setups. With its robust locking capabilities and the ability to add sandbags for extra stability, this c-stand ensures your lighting equipment remains secure during your recording sessions.
Sandbags for Stability
Stability is key when setting up your lights, especially when mounted overhead. To maintain balance and ensure safety, using counterweights like Spectrum Black Pre-Filled Weighted Shot Sandbags is highly recommended. These 10kg sandbags are ideal for stabilising your stand and preventing any accidental tipping. Place the sandbags on the stand’s legs or hang them on the boom arm to keep your setup steady and safe.
Choosing the Right Softboxes
Softboxes play a crucial role in achieving the perfect lighting effect. Lantern softboxes, in particular, are a fantastic choice for providing soft, even, omnidirectional lighting that reduces harsh shadows and creates a flattering look for your subjects. With their wide beam spread, they are ideal for a variety of setups. Here’s a breakdown of options based on size:
Small (Spectrum 40cm Lantern Softbox): For those in need of a compact lighting solution, the Spectrum Mini 40cm Lantern is perfect for use with lower-powered flash strobes or continuous LED lights. Its smaller size makes it ideal for tight spaces and setups where portability is key.
With a 180° light spread, it offers soft, natural-looking illumination, enhancing the quality of your recordings without overpowering the scene. It pairs well with lights like the Godox SL-60W or even speedlites such as the Godox V860III.
Medium (Godox CS-50T 50cm Lantern Softbox): If you’re working in a moderately sized space, the Godox 50cm Lantern provides a versatile option. It offers a 270° beam spread, ensuring that the subject is evenly lit from all angles.
This makes it ideal for close-up shots, interviews, or table setups where you need reliable, diffused lighting without taking up too much room. Its medium size balances portability with power, making it a go-to choice for small to mid-sized studios.
Large (Godox CS-65T 65cm Lantern Softbox): For larger spaces or when you need maximum coverage, the Godox 65cm Lantern Softbox delivers. Its wide spread of soft, even light is ideal for illuminating bigger areas or multi-person setups. The larger surface area ensures a beautifully diffused, natural light, making it perfect for podcasts, film shoots, or any scenario where broad, shadow-free lighting is required.
Selecting the Right Light
High-Quality COB LED Lights
Choosing the right light is essential for achieving the best results. Ideally, you should use a COB LED light with a power output of 100W or more. Here are some top choices:
Aputure Amaran 100X-S: This light offers a variable colour temperature range and silent cooling, making it a reliable and versatile option for content creators who need excellent colour accuracy in a compact form.
Godox SL100Bi: With adjustable colour temperatures and a Bowens mount for compatibility with popular softboxes and modifiers, the SL100Bi is a versatile and reliable choice for those looking for quality lighting.
Godox ML100Bi: This compact yet powerful bi-colour LED studio light offers excellent versatility, with a high CRI and TLCI rating for professional results. The ML100Bi is ideal for vlogs, interviews, and smaller setups, offering multiple power options, including mains and V-Lock.
Litemons LA150Bi: A bi-colour LED light with stepless dimming capabilities and Bowens S-mount compatibility. Its 150W output makes it ideal for YouTubers and livestreamers who need quick lighting adjustments and flexibility with modifiers.
Godox SL150IIIBi: A professional-grade 150W light with remote control capabilities and a wide range of colour temperatures. It’s perfect for those who require precise control over their lighting setup in more demanding environments.
Aputure Amaran 200X-S: The 200W version of the Amaran series offers higher output and more advanced features for users who need extra power and versatility in their setups, making it ideal for larger or more complex shoots.
Litemons LA200Bi: A budget-friendly 200W bi-colour LED light that provides impressive performance with adjustable colour temperatures and special effect modes, giving content creators the flexibility to adapt their lighting to different scenarios.
Advanced Lighting Options
For those needing higher output and additional features such as RGB capabilities:
Litemons LA150R: This 150W model adds RGB functionality, providing access to a broad spectrum of colours and creative effects. It’s ideal for adding unique visual touches to your podcast or video content.
Litemons LA200R: A 200W RGB LED light offering high output and advanced effects, the LA200R allows for full creative control, perfect for larger setups or creators seeking more dynamic lighting options.
Tips for Setting Up Your Podcast Lighting
Position Your Lights Correctly: Place your lantern softbox directly above or slightly in front of your subject to ensure even, omnidirectional illumination. This placement helps evenly light the entire area and minimise harsh shadows. You can use additional lights or softboxes to fill in any remaining shadows and create balanced lighting from all angles.
Use Softboxes for Even Lighting: Softboxes help to diffuse the light and create a softer, more flattering appearance. Position lantern softboxes above or around your recording area to reduce harsh shadows and achieve a natural look.
Stabilise Your Equipment: Ensure your lighting stands are secure and balanced by using sandbags. This prevents accidental tipping and ensures a stable setup throughout your recording.
Experiment with Lighting Angles: Adjust the angles and positions of your lights to find the most flattering setup. Consider using a key light, fill light, and backlight to create depth and dimension in your shot.
Adjust Colour Temperature: Use lights with adjustable colour temperatures to match the ambient lighting of your recording environment. This helps to maintain consistency and avoid colour discrepancies in your video.
Control Light Intensity: Use dimming features on your lights to adjust the intensity and achieve the desired look. Avoid overly bright or harsh lighting, which can be distracting and unflattering.
Final Thoughts
Creating professional lighting for your podcast doesn't have to be complicated. With the right equipment—C-Stands, sandbags, softboxes, and COB LED lights—you can dramatically improve your podcast’s production quality and visual appeal.
Investing in good lighting equipment will not only make your podcast look better but also provide a more enjoyable experience for your viewers. By following these steps, you can ensure your podcast is well-lit and professional, helping you stand out in the ever-growing world of video podcasting.
