<p>For action, you're probably going to need flat, even lighting. Builders' work lamps, bounced off white walls or reflectors, are probably the most cost-effective way of lighting large spaces. </p>

<p>You can make some changes to lighting and contrast when you edit, though it's no substitute for lighting your film properly. It's called colour correction. You can also apply an overall colour 'look' to your film, which is called grading. Most editing programs (e.g. iMovie) allow you to apply basic effects and corrections. Programs like Final Cut Pro X, the <strike>open source</strike> Da Vinci Resolve (free lite version), and (steep learning curve) Adobe After Effects let you do professional correction and grading. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-10-20T19:05:13.657Z
I have a work lamp, but is there a way to make a deflector? If you know a video that specifically talks about lighting large spaces, please tell.
JSASCS
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-10-20T20:42:07.910Z
Pretty sure Da Vinci Resolve isn't open source.  The lite version is free, however.
Jason Conrad
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-10-21T06:09:51.253Z
Yeah, Da Vinci costs about $1K if you want the full version.
stib
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-10-21T06:09:59.627Z
A reflector can be made out of literally anything white. Popular cheapo reflectors include polystyrene sheets, bedsheets hung from walls, pieces of white cardboard, and white walls.
stib
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-10-21T07:17:46.660Z
All of those are good ideas. You can also buy affordable folding five-in-one reflector/diffusers which are more convenient to carry around.
Learnaboutfilm
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-10-20T16:05:33.853Z
2016-10-21T07:20:00.550Z
2016-10-21T07:20:00.550Z
Learnaboutfilm
<p>You could visit <a href="http://www.premiumbeat.com/blog/5-diy-lighting-tips-for-filmmakers-on-a-budget/" rel="nofollow">this</a> website for some DIY video's to set-up your own film lighting and <a href="http://learnaboutfilm.com/making-a-film/equipment-for-low-budget-filmmaking/lighting-low-budget-filmmaking/" rel="nofollow">this</a> website for some more information about which lights to use.</p>

<p>You should also make a thoughtful decision on the camera/lens you are about to use. More info can be found <a href="http://learnaboutfilm.com/making-a-film/equipment-for-low-budget-filmmaking/filmmakingcamera/" rel="nofollow">here.</a></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-10-18T22:12:54.993Z
2016-10-18T23:36:23.287Z
2016-10-18T23:36:23.287Z
Bruno van der Kraan
<p>I need to light a video for a project, I am making a movie trailer for a book I like and need to light a large space (It is an action book and there is running in the trailer.) Simply, I have to light an action video and I don't want to spend lots of money on this one project. Also, if there is a program that can edit the lighting and contrast after you record, please tell. So how would I do this?</p>

<video><lighting><budget>
How to light a video properly?
JSASCS
# How to light a video properly?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-10-18)

I need to light a video for a project, I am making a movie trailer for a book I like and need to light a large space (It is an action book and there is running in the trailer.) Simply, I have to light an action video and I don't want to spend lots of money on this one project. Also, if there is a program that can edit the lighting and contrast after you record, please tell. So how would I do this?

**Tags:** video, lighting, budget


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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2016-10-20. Score: 2 | Accepted answer

For action, you're probably going to need flat, even lighting. Builders' work lamps, bounced off white walls or reflectors, are probably the most cost-effective way of lighting large spaces.

You can make some changes to lighting and contrast when you edit, though it's no substitute for lighting your film properly. It's called colour correction. You can also apply an overall colour 'look' to your film, which is called grading. Most editing programs (e.g. iMovie) allow you to apply basic effects and corrections. Programs like Final Cut Pro X, the open source Da Vinci Resolve (free lite version), and (steep learning curve) Adobe After Effects let you do professional correction and grading.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: I have a work lamp, but is there a way to make a deflector? If you know a video that specifically talks about lighting large spaces, please tell.  
> **username_2**: Pretty sure Da Vinci Resolve isn't open source.  The lite version is free, however.  
> **username_3**: Yeah, Da Vinci costs about $1K if you want the full version.  
> **username_3**: A reflector can be made out of literally anything white. Popular cheapo reflectors include polystyrene sheets, bedsheets hung from walls, pieces of white cardboard, and white walls.  
> **username_1**: All of those are good ideas. You can also buy affordable folding five-in-one reflector/diffusers which are more convenient to carry around.  

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### Answer by username_4 on 2016-10-18. Score: 0

You could visit [this](http://www.premiumbeat.com/blog/5-diy-lighting-tips-for-filmmakers-on-a-budget/) website for some DIY video's to set-up your own film lighting and [this](http://learnaboutfilm.com/making-a-film/equipment-for-low-budget-filmmaking/lighting-low-budget-filmmaking/) website for some more information about which lights to use.

You should also make a thoughtful decision on the camera/lens you are about to use. More info can be found [here.](http://learnaboutfilm.com/making-a-film/equipment-for-low-budget-filmmaking/filmmakingcamera/)


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