Hello everyone! 

This is Minamoto, from olq!

For the first installment of olq’s blog, I'd like to discuss the role of lighting, which is essential in video production. 

The lighting equipment used for this blog is the “Fiilex P360S 3-Light Set" LED lights.
 

Its compact design allows you to pull out the handle and carry it along like a suitcase for easy transport.

The Role and Purpose of Lighting 

Lighting is a key element in video production. 

It not only illuminates the subject but also creates color, depth, and atmosphere, enhancing emotion. 

For example, harsh direct light creates dramatic effects, while soft indirect light produces a relaxed atmosphere. 

Furthermore, the angle and color temperature of light can transform a scene from bright and cheerful to dark and tense.

The Basics of the Three-point Lighting System 

One fundamental lighting technique in video production is the “three-point lighting method".

This method uses three light sources: the key light (main light source), fill light (auxiliary light source), and back light (background light).

This time, we decided to put the spotlight on our Kibomaru cactus, which we've been growing here at the office.

・Key Light: The primary light source for the scene, providing the strongest light on the subject. 

It is typically positioned at a 45-degree angle from the front of the camera, directed toward the subject.

【Image with only the Key Light applied】

・Fill Light: a light directed toward the subject from the opposite side of the Key Light to provide softer illumination and reduce shadows.

This can also be achieved with a reflector board. Placing a reflector board in front of the subject to bounce light back can similarly reduce the shadows cast by the key light.

【Image with key light and fill light applied】

The shadows created by the key light have softened slightly.

・Back Light: Positioned behind the subject, it serves to make the subject stand out from the background. 

This creates depth and a three-dimensional effect on the subject.

【Image with back light added to key light and fill light】

Adding the backlight really brought out the three-dimensional effect.

This three-point lighting technique isn't just for portrait photography; it can be applied just as effectively to product photography, too!

About the Color Temperature of Light

The color temperature of light significantly affects the mood of an image.

Color temperature is measured in "Kelvin（K)". Lower color temperatures indicate「warm colors」like red and orange, while higher color temperatures indicate "cool colors" like blue and white.

Warm lighting creates a cozy, inviting atmosphere, while cool lighting conveys calmness and cleanliness. Adjusting color temperature allows you to effectively control the emotional mood of a scene.

【←Image with warm color 2800K applied】　　　　　　　　　　　　　　【Image with cool color 6500K applied→】

This is just my personal impression, but...

Warm colors make the food look hot, while cool colors make it seem cold. 

That's exactly the impression I got from the warm and cool tones.

After the shoot, the staff enjoyed eating these rice balls.

Using Diffuser and Reflectors

Diffusers and reflectors are essential tools for adjusting lighting effects.

Once again, we'll feature the Kibomaru cactus.