Your video recording is off to a great start. Even though you’re on a tight budget and no frills, you’re getting the quality shots you want. A problem arises when you plan the next phase of your production, an indoor shoot. Your budget will not allow you to pay for professional lighting. Renting professional lights is an alternative, but that can also be costly if the indoor shoot is done in a few days.

Don’t worry, a cost effective alternative is available to you simply by taking a trip to your local mall.

During the last decade, there have been significant advancements and advancements in lighting with the introduction of compact fluorescent bulb (CFL) and LED technology, and now with the entry of these alternatives, the sky is the limit.

In the past, it was taboo even to think about using fluorescent lighting in video production because the lighting from the old ones gave off a sickly green hue that you had to spend so much time balancing the white. This has changed due to these new technologies. Many professional lightboxes and lighting kits today use CFLs or LED lighting.

The fact that these new bulbs do not burn hot, have low energy consumption and have a long service life are just a few of the many benefits for productions of most budgets.

The lighting output of these bulbs can be compared to traditional incandescent bulbs and can meet your lighting needs without spending a lot of money.

EXTREMELY LOW COST

The cheapest lighting alternative that I will introduce to you is called Incandescent Clamp Light. The price range for this fixture is between $ 7.00 and $ 20.00 and consists of a bowl-shaped lighting hood with an attracted mounting clamp so it can be easily hung. You can find these units and bulbs at places like Lowe’s, Home Depot, Ace Hardware, or any home improvement center or hardware store.

Although incandescent is in the name it does not mean that you are limited to using traditional bulbs. CFL and LED bulbs can be used with these devices, but be sure to follow the device’s wattage rating, as with incandescent bulbs, you cannot exceed the limits of what is required for that particular unit. Typically these fixtures can accommodate up to a 150 watt light.

Another benefit is that you can attach the device to almost any surface without damaging it. These units can also easily be used as key lighting themes.

Personally, I have a professional tungsten lighting kit, but because they get very hot and need a cooling time before disassembling them on set, I prefer to use my CFL lighting, which consists of some professional incandescent lamps, brackets and umbrellas. I still use my clamp lights and they are still effective.

While you’re lacking features like barn doors for adjusting lighting, brackets for mounting accessories, and other items that you find in pro kits, you have a useful alternative. You can slowly upgrade to more professional lighting when your budget allows.

Three of these fixtures, plus a pack of CFLs, would cost less than $ 30 at the low end. For an extremely effective lighting kit, you can’t beat that price.

Another lighting alternative is work lights. You will also find these units at home improvement centers or hardware stores. The price range for these units is between $ 19 and $ 300. These units use halogen or, in the newer units, LED.

The benefit of these lights is that they come with their own adjustable brackets. They can be added to your clamp light kit and still keep it within your budget constraints.

The downside to this choice is that the least expensive units are halogen and can get hot. They will be brighter than your CFLs, so adjusting them to match your lighting would be more of a challenge.

Choosing the LED version is an option, but keep in mind that if you get multiple units to make a kit, it will come close to the price of a low-end professional light kit that will have barn doors, brackets, scrims, etc.

Regardless of the type of lighting you choose, you can be sure that your production will not lose the brilliance you have worked so hard to maintain throughout your shoot. With the recent introduction of these lighting alternatives, video producers of any budget can achieve professional lighting. There is no longer any need to fear losing your audience due to poor lighting.