Mastering Design Principles: Essential Knowledge of YT Banners & Art

Best YouTube Banner Size and Channel Art Dimension (The Ultimate Guide)

Richard Bennett

Oct 26, 2023• Proven solutions

0

YouTube is a social platform that relies on visually exciting material to attract the audience. Just like a book with an appealing cover compels a person to pick it up and read, it is significant to display and advertise your YouTube channel in a way that makes viewers click and browse through the channel.

Despite creating a beautiful banner on your desktop screen, it might end up distorted on a mobile screen if the recommended sizes for all kinds of gadgets are not followed. Hence, choosing your YouTube channel art dimension is essential since it is the viewer’s first impression. To commence with, you must be careful about your YouTube banner size and channel art dimensions. Are you wondering how to create the perfect banner or cover photo as we know it? Worry not as we are going to tell you the exact details to achieve an ideal YouTube banner size that fits all devices from computers to phones.

• Part 1: The Recommended YouTube Banner Size
• Part 2: The Best YouTube Banner Size on Different Devices
• Part 3: The Best YouTube Video Maker–Wondershare Filmora

Part 1: The Recommended YouTube Banner Size

According to YouTube’s official standards, the recommended banner size is 2560×1440 pixels. However, the minimum image dimensions are 2048×1152 pixels. To ensure that your text is visible regardless of the screen size, sticking to the “safe area” of 2560×423 pixels is the best option. Why are these sizes significant? Well, it’s essential to keep in mind the fact that people worldwide will be using different kinds of gadgets to access YouTube, and it is crucial to optimize your YouTube banner size for it to be ideal.

Part 2: The Best YouTube Banner Size on Different Devices

For the best results on all devices, your YouTube banner size should be:

1. TV
2. Desktop Minimum and Mobile
3. Tablet
4. Desktop Max

YouTube Channel Art/Banner Dimensions Displayed on TVs

2560 x 1440 px

YouTube will display your entire channel art on TVs

Here’s what our YouTube channel art example would look like on a TV.

YouTube Channel Art/Banner Dimensions Displayed on Smaller Desktop Monitors and Mobile Phones

1546 x 423 px

On small desktop monitors and mobile devices, YouTube will display less than 20% of your entire channel art, the center area measuring a width of 1546 pixels and a height of 423 pixels. You want to make sure that your text and logo make it into this part.

Here’s what our YouTube channel art example would look like on a mobile phone.

YouTube Channel Art/Banner Dimensions Displayed on Tablets

1855 x 423 px

On tablet devices, YouTube will display around 20% more of your channel art, just to the sides of your smaller desktop monitor and mobile device area.

Here’s what our YouTube channel art example would look like on a tablet device.

YouTube Channel Art/Banner Dimensions Displayed on Larger Desktop Monitors

2560 x 423 px

On larger desktop monitors, YouTube will display the entire width of your channel art but not the upper and lower part.

Here’s what our YouTube channel art example would look like on a large desktop monitor.

By following these dimensions in the design of your YouTube channel art/banner, you can be sure to have a responsive image that works best across different devices.

Have you ever had trouble with your YouTube banner size?

If you’d like to make your own channel art, check out our list of Top 9 YouTube Channel Art Makers .

Part 3: The Best YouTube Video Maker–Wondershare Filmora

Want to create a spectacular YouTube video with excellent graphics but lack the expertise? Don’t stress! Wondershare Filmora is here to save the day with its incredible video editing features. Despite the professional outcome it provides, it has been customized for easy use by the beginners.

Key Features:

• Supports GIF and 4K Resolution with advanced text editing features.
• Directly import files from any social media platform, for example, Facebook.
• Transform your video by layering multiple video clips and adding titles, filters, and overlays.
• Time-lapse, noise reduction, and split-screen preset available.

Compatibility:

• Windows: Microsoft Windows 7/Windows 8/Windows 10 (64 bit OS recommended).
• Processor: Intel i3 or better multicore processor, 2GHz or above.
• RAM: 4 GB RAM (8GB required for HD and 4K videos).

To Sum Up

So, are you ready to optimize your channel by following the YouTube banner size’s basic requirements? We hope you are now aware of the importance your YouTube channel art dimension has.

Also, for your channel to be distinctive and attractive enough, it must be edited, which is now relatively easy through video editing apps like the Wondershare Filmora. What are you waiting for? Invest in this pocket-friendly application to create stunning videos in no time and take your channel to the next level.

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett

Oct 26, 2023• Proven solutions

0

YouTube is a social platform that relies on visually exciting material to attract the audience. Just like a book with an appealing cover compels a person to pick it up and read, it is significant to display and advertise your YouTube channel in a way that makes viewers click and browse through the channel.

Despite creating a beautiful banner on your desktop screen, it might end up distorted on a mobile screen if the recommended sizes for all kinds of gadgets are not followed. Hence, choosing your YouTube channel art dimension is essential since it is the viewer’s first impression. To commence with, you must be careful about your YouTube banner size and channel art dimensions. Are you wondering how to create the perfect banner or cover photo as we know it? Worry not as we are going to tell you the exact details to achieve an ideal YouTube banner size that fits all devices from computers to phones.

• Part 1: The Recommended YouTube Banner Size
• Part 2: The Best YouTube Banner Size on Different Devices
• Part 3: The Best YouTube Video Maker–Wondershare Filmora

Part 1: The Recommended YouTube Banner Size

According to YouTube’s official standards, the recommended banner size is 2560×1440 pixels. However, the minimum image dimensions are 2048×1152 pixels. To ensure that your text is visible regardless of the screen size, sticking to the “safe area” of 2560×423 pixels is the best option. Why are these sizes significant? Well, it’s essential to keep in mind the fact that people worldwide will be using different kinds of gadgets to access YouTube, and it is crucial to optimize your YouTube banner size for it to be ideal.

Part 2: The Best YouTube Banner Size on Different Devices

For the best results on all devices, your YouTube banner size should be:

1. TV
2. Desktop Minimum and Mobile
3. Tablet
4. Desktop Max

YouTube Channel Art/Banner Dimensions Displayed on TVs

2560 x 1440 px

YouTube will display your entire channel art on TVs

Here’s what our YouTube channel art example would look like on a TV.

YouTube Channel Art/Banner Dimensions Displayed on Smaller Desktop Monitors and Mobile Phones

1546 x 423 px

On small desktop monitors and mobile devices, YouTube will display less than 20% of your entire channel art, the center area measuring a width of 1546 pixels and a height of 423 pixels. You want to make sure that your text and logo make it into this part.

Here’s what our YouTube channel art example would look like on a mobile phone.

YouTube Channel Art/Banner Dimensions Displayed on Tablets

1855 x 423 px

On tablet devices, YouTube will display around 20% more of your channel art, just to the sides of your smaller desktop monitor and mobile device area.

Here’s what our YouTube channel art example would look like on a tablet device.

YouTube Channel Art/Banner Dimensions Displayed on Larger Desktop Monitors

2560 x 423 px

On larger desktop monitors, YouTube will display the entire width of your channel art but not the upper and lower part.

Here’s what our YouTube channel art example would look like on a large desktop monitor.

By following these dimensions in the design of your YouTube channel art/banner, you can be sure to have a responsive image that works best across different devices.

Have you ever had trouble with your YouTube banner size?

If you’d like to make your own channel art, check out our list of Top 9 YouTube Channel Art Makers .

Part 3: The Best YouTube Video Maker–Wondershare Filmora

Want to create a spectacular YouTube video with excellent graphics but lack the expertise? Don’t stress! Wondershare Filmora is here to save the day with its incredible video editing features. Despite the professional outcome it provides, it has been customized for easy use by the beginners.

Key Features:

• Supports GIF and 4K Resolution with advanced text editing features.
• Directly import files from any social media platform, for example, Facebook.
• Transform your video by layering multiple video clips and adding titles, filters, and overlays.
• Time-lapse, noise reduction, and split-screen preset available.

Compatibility:

• Windows: Microsoft Windows 7/Windows 8/Windows 10 (64 bit OS recommended).
• Processor: Intel i3 or better multicore processor, 2GHz or above.
• RAM: 4 GB RAM (8GB required for HD and 4K videos).

To Sum Up

So, are you ready to optimize your channel by following the YouTube banner size’s basic requirements? We hope you are now aware of the importance your YouTube channel art dimension has.

Also, for your channel to be distinctive and attractive enough, it must be edited, which is now relatively easy through video editing apps like the Wondershare Filmora. What are you waiting for? Invest in this pocket-friendly application to create stunning videos in no time and take your channel to the next level.

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett

Oct 26, 2023• Proven solutions

0

YouTube is a social platform that relies on visually exciting material to attract the audience. Just like a book with an appealing cover compels a person to pick it up and read, it is significant to display and advertise your YouTube channel in a way that makes viewers click and browse through the channel.

Despite creating a beautiful banner on your desktop screen, it might end up distorted on a mobile screen if the recommended sizes for all kinds of gadgets are not followed. Hence, choosing your YouTube channel art dimension is essential since it is the viewer’s first impression. To commence with, you must be careful about your YouTube banner size and channel art dimensions. Are you wondering how to create the perfect banner or cover photo as we know it? Worry not as we are going to tell you the exact details to achieve an ideal YouTube banner size that fits all devices from computers to phones.

• Part 1: The Recommended YouTube Banner Size
• Part 2: The Best YouTube Banner Size on Different Devices
• Part 3: The Best YouTube Video Maker–Wondershare Filmora

Part 1: The Recommended YouTube Banner Size

According to YouTube’s official standards, the recommended banner size is 2560×1440 pixels. However, the minimum image dimensions are 2048×1152 pixels. To ensure that your text is visible regardless of the screen size, sticking to the “safe area” of 2560×423 pixels is the best option. Why are these sizes significant? Well, it’s essential to keep in mind the fact that people worldwide will be using different kinds of gadgets to access YouTube, and it is crucial to optimize your YouTube banner size for it to be ideal.

Part 2: The Best YouTube Banner Size on Different Devices

For the best results on all devices, your YouTube banner size should be:

1. TV
2. Desktop Minimum and Mobile
3. Tablet
4. Desktop Max

YouTube Channel Art/Banner Dimensions Displayed on TVs

2560 x 1440 px

YouTube will display your entire channel art on TVs

Here’s what our YouTube channel art example would look like on a TV.

YouTube Channel Art/Banner Dimensions Displayed on Smaller Desktop Monitors and Mobile Phones

1546 x 423 px

On small desktop monitors and mobile devices, YouTube will display less than 20% of your entire channel art, the center area measuring a width of 1546 pixels and a height of 423 pixels. You want to make sure that your text and logo make it into this part.

Here’s what our YouTube channel art example would look like on a mobile phone.

YouTube Channel Art/Banner Dimensions Displayed on Tablets

1855 x 423 px

On tablet devices, YouTube will display around 20% more of your channel art, just to the sides of your smaller desktop monitor and mobile device area.

Here’s what our YouTube channel art example would look like on a tablet device.

YouTube Channel Art/Banner Dimensions Displayed on Larger Desktop Monitors

2560 x 423 px

On larger desktop monitors, YouTube will display the entire width of your channel art but not the upper and lower part.

Here’s what our YouTube channel art example would look like on a large desktop monitor.

By following these dimensions in the design of your YouTube channel art/banner, you can be sure to have a responsive image that works best across different devices.

Have you ever had trouble with your YouTube banner size?

If you’d like to make your own channel art, check out our list of Top 9 YouTube Channel Art Makers .

Part 3: The Best YouTube Video Maker–Wondershare Filmora

Want to create a spectacular YouTube video with excellent graphics but lack the expertise? Don’t stress! Wondershare Filmora is here to save the day with its incredible video editing features. Despite the professional outcome it provides, it has been customized for easy use by the beginners.

Key Features:

• Supports GIF and 4K Resolution with advanced text editing features.
• Directly import files from any social media platform, for example, Facebook.
• Transform your video by layering multiple video clips and adding titles, filters, and overlays.
• Time-lapse, noise reduction, and split-screen preset available.

Compatibility:

• Windows: Microsoft Windows 7/Windows 8/Windows 10 (64 bit OS recommended).
• Processor: Intel i3 or better multicore processor, 2GHz or above.
• RAM: 4 GB RAM (8GB required for HD and 4K videos).

To Sum Up

So, are you ready to optimize your channel by following the YouTube banner size’s basic requirements? We hope you are now aware of the importance your YouTube channel art dimension has.

Also, for your channel to be distinctive and attractive enough, it must be edited, which is now relatively easy through video editing apps like the Wondershare Filmora. What are you waiting for? Invest in this pocket-friendly application to create stunning videos in no time and take your channel to the next level.

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett

Oct 26, 2023• Proven solutions

0

YouTube is a social platform that relies on visually exciting material to attract the audience. Just like a book with an appealing cover compels a person to pick it up and read, it is significant to display and advertise your YouTube channel in a way that makes viewers click and browse through the channel.

Despite creating a beautiful banner on your desktop screen, it might end up distorted on a mobile screen if the recommended sizes for all kinds of gadgets are not followed. Hence, choosing your YouTube channel art dimension is essential since it is the viewer’s first impression. To commence with, you must be careful about your YouTube banner size and channel art dimensions. Are you wondering how to create the perfect banner or cover photo as we know it? Worry not as we are going to tell you the exact details to achieve an ideal YouTube banner size that fits all devices from computers to phones.

• Part 1: The Recommended YouTube Banner Size
• Part 2: The Best YouTube Banner Size on Different Devices
• Part 3: The Best YouTube Video Maker–Wondershare Filmora

Part 1: The Recommended YouTube Banner Size

According to YouTube’s official standards, the recommended banner size is 2560×1440 pixels. However, the minimum image dimensions are 2048×1152 pixels. To ensure that your text is visible regardless of the screen size, sticking to the “safe area” of 2560×423 pixels is the best option. Why are these sizes significant? Well, it’s essential to keep in mind the fact that people worldwide will be using different kinds of gadgets to access YouTube, and it is crucial to optimize your YouTube banner size for it to be ideal.

Part 2: The Best YouTube Banner Size on Different Devices

For the best results on all devices, your YouTube banner size should be:

1. TV
2. Desktop Minimum and Mobile
3. Tablet
4. Desktop Max

YouTube Channel Art/Banner Dimensions Displayed on TVs

2560 x 1440 px

YouTube will display your entire channel art on TVs

Here’s what our YouTube channel art example would look like on a TV.

YouTube Channel Art/Banner Dimensions Displayed on Smaller Desktop Monitors and Mobile Phones

1546 x 423 px

On small desktop monitors and mobile devices, YouTube will display less than 20% of your entire channel art, the center area measuring a width of 1546 pixels and a height of 423 pixels. You want to make sure that your text and logo make it into this part.

Here’s what our YouTube channel art example would look like on a mobile phone.

YouTube Channel Art/Banner Dimensions Displayed on Tablets

1855 x 423 px

On tablet devices, YouTube will display around 20% more of your channel art, just to the sides of your smaller desktop monitor and mobile device area.

Here’s what our YouTube channel art example would look like on a tablet device.

YouTube Channel Art/Banner Dimensions Displayed on Larger Desktop Monitors

2560 x 423 px

On larger desktop monitors, YouTube will display the entire width of your channel art but not the upper and lower part.

Here’s what our YouTube channel art example would look like on a large desktop monitor.

By following these dimensions in the design of your YouTube channel art/banner, you can be sure to have a responsive image that works best across different devices.

Have you ever had trouble with your YouTube banner size?

If you’d like to make your own channel art, check out our list of Top 9 YouTube Channel Art Makers .

Part 3: The Best YouTube Video Maker–Wondershare Filmora

Want to create a spectacular YouTube video with excellent graphics but lack the expertise? Don’t stress! Wondershare Filmora is here to save the day with its incredible video editing features. Despite the professional outcome it provides, it has been customized for easy use by the beginners.

Key Features:

• Supports GIF and 4K Resolution with advanced text editing features.
• Directly import files from any social media platform, for example, Facebook.
• Transform your video by layering multiple video clips and adding titles, filters, and overlays.
• Time-lapse, noise reduction, and split-screen preset available.

Compatibility:

• Windows: Microsoft Windows 7/Windows 8/Windows 10 (64 bit OS recommended).
• Processor: Intel i3 or better multicore processor, 2GHz or above.
• RAM: 4 GB RAM (8GB required for HD and 4K videos).

To Sum Up

So, are you ready to optimize your channel by following the YouTube banner size’s basic requirements? We hope you are now aware of the importance your YouTube channel art dimension has.

Also, for your channel to be distinctive and attractive enough, it must be edited, which is now relatively easy through video editing apps like the Wondershare Filmora. What are you waiting for? Invest in this pocket-friendly application to create stunning videos in no time and take your channel to the next level.

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Shine On: Mastering the Art of Illumination for YouTube Videos

How To Light Your YouTube Video

Richard Bennett

Oct 26, 2023• Proven solutions

0

When it comes to sensitivity to light, no consumer-level camera sensor comes close in performance to the human eye. Many newbies to videography, though, don’t think about this when they use their camera indoors and discover that their recorded footage appears too dark.

If you want to use your camera indoors as many YouTubers do, you’ll need to have extra light. But the solution is not as simple as surrounding yourself with lamps that are all randomly placed.

Below, I’ll go into detail on how you can set up your lighting equipment to make your YouTube videos look good.

Table of Contents Using Light You Already Have Window LightingHome Lighting Home Studio Lighting Light Control3-Point Lighting4-Point Lighting

Part 1: Using Light You Already Have

Most beginner YouTubers light their videos with what they already have. That’s what I did to start as well. In the past, my video recording space consisted of natural sunlight coming from my window and ceiling light for times when the sunlight wasn’t strong enough.

1. Window Lighting

The best thing about window lighting is that it’s free. The worst thing about it is that it’s uncontrollable. The amount of light you get in your video can vary with all the changes in the weather.

Window lighting for me was especially difficult to work with because I live in a very rainy and cloudy city, Vancouver, Canada, where we pretty much just get three months of good sun.

Above are two freeze frames from one of Daniel’s past window-lit vlogs. Although these two frames are both from the same vlog, you can see that the image on the right looks brighter due to clearer skies at that moment. These varying amounts of light is what you will have to deal with if you choose to light your YouTube video with window lighting.

2. Home Lighting

Home lighting is another source of light that many new YouTubers use. In the past, when my window light wasn’t strong enough to light my video recording space, I would turn on the ceiling light.

Notice how the color of Daniel’s skin looks much more orange here (above) than the color of the skin in the two side-by-side window lighting examples? The side of the face also appears to look bluer. This all happened because he mixed up different color temperatures shining out of the two lights (cooler window light and warmer ceiling light).

Most home lighting is warmer in its color temperature. If you want to use your home lights without everything being orange-tinted, you’ll need to switch out your light bulbs for daytime LED light bulbs.

Ceiling lights are also typically situated in the center of a room in order to light an entire room evenly. This is not likely to be the best location for your filming video. Since the ceiling light was directly above the face in the above example, you can see harder shadows beneath his cheeks.

Part 2: Home Studio Lighting

If you rather not deal with all the window and home lighting challenges, you can set up studio lighting in your home.

1. Light Control

The first thing you’ll want to do to set up studio lighting in your home is to pick a room to film in and eliminate as much external lighting as you can. Use blinds, curtains, towels, or any thick fabric to block sunlight from shining into your room.

2. 3-Point Lighting

The most common setup for studio lighting is 3-point lighting. For this kind of lighting you’ll need three lights: a key light, a fill light, and a back light (also called a hair light).

Out of the three lights, the key light should be the brightest. When it is positioned to the left of you (as shown in the diagram above) your right side will have shadows.

To minimize the shadows on your right side, use a weaker light as a fill light. You don’t want your fill light to completely eliminate all your shadows or else your shot will look flat.

Lastly, a backlight positioned behind you can give an appealing highlight to the ends of your head and even help to separate your hair from blending into your background if both happen to be dark.

3. 4-Point Lighting

As a YouTuber, you may not only want yourself to be seen optimally with proper lighting, but you may also want your background to be seen optimally, especially if you’ve taken the time to decorate it for your audience.

What you’ll need to ensure that your background is sufficiently lit is 4-point lighting setup. The 4-point lighting setup is the same as a 3-point lighting setup, but with an additional light shining at your background.

For more information on lighting equipment, check out my Top 17 Video Lighting Equipment For YouTubers .

Touch Up YouTube Videos with Filmora

Filmora is one of the best video editing software for YouTube beginners to start the YouTube channel. So, if you find the lighting isn’t perfect after recording, you can use the Auto Color Enhancement feature in Filmora to adjust the color with one-click. Or, you can change the white balance, Light, color, and HSL manually. Filmora also features some presets and LUTs templates , which allows you to apply pre-programmed effects to video for color correction faster.

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett

Oct 26, 2023• Proven solutions

0

When it comes to sensitivity to light, no consumer-level camera sensor comes close in performance to the human eye. Many newbies to videography, though, don’t think about this when they use their camera indoors and discover that their recorded footage appears too dark.

If you want to use your camera indoors as many YouTubers do, you’ll need to have extra light. But the solution is not as simple as surrounding yourself with lamps that are all randomly placed.

Below, I’ll go into detail on how you can set up your lighting equipment to make your YouTube videos look good.

Table of Contents Using Light You Already Have Window LightingHome Lighting Home Studio Lighting Light Control3-Point Lighting4-Point Lighting

Part 1: Using Light You Already Have

Most beginner YouTubers light their videos with what they already have. That’s what I did to start as well. In the past, my video recording space consisted of natural sunlight coming from my window and ceiling light for times when the sunlight wasn’t strong enough.

1. Window Lighting

The best thing about window lighting is that it’s free. The worst thing about it is that it’s uncontrollable. The amount of light you get in your video can vary with all the changes in the weather.

Window lighting for me was especially difficult to work with because I live in a very rainy and cloudy city, Vancouver, Canada, where we pretty much just get three months of good sun.

Above are two freeze frames from one of Daniel’s past window-lit vlogs. Although these two frames are both from the same vlog, you can see that the image on the right looks brighter due to clearer skies at that moment. These varying amounts of light is what you will have to deal with if you choose to light your YouTube video with window lighting.

2. Home Lighting

Home lighting is another source of light that many new YouTubers use. In the past, when my window light wasn’t strong enough to light my video recording space, I would turn on the ceiling light.

Notice how the color of Daniel’s skin looks much more orange here (above) than the color of the skin in the two side-by-side window lighting examples? The side of the face also appears to look bluer. This all happened because he mixed up different color temperatures shining out of the two lights (cooler window light and warmer ceiling light).

Most home lighting is warmer in its color temperature. If you want to use your home lights without everything being orange-tinted, you’ll need to switch out your light bulbs for daytime LED light bulbs.

Ceiling lights are also typically situated in the center of a room in order to light an entire room evenly. This is not likely to be the best location for your filming video. Since the ceiling light was directly above the face in the above example, you can see harder shadows beneath his cheeks.

Part 2: Home Studio Lighting

If you rather not deal with all the window and home lighting challenges, you can set up studio lighting in your home.

1. Light Control

The first thing you’ll want to do to set up studio lighting in your home is to pick a room to film in and eliminate as much external lighting as you can. Use blinds, curtains, towels, or any thick fabric to block sunlight from shining into your room.

2. 3-Point Lighting

The most common setup for studio lighting is 3-point lighting. For this kind of lighting you’ll need three lights: a key light, a fill light, and a back light (also called a hair light).

Out of the three lights, the key light should be the brightest. When it is positioned to the left of you (as shown in the diagram above) your right side will have shadows.

To minimize the shadows on your right side, use a weaker light as a fill light. You don’t want your fill light to completely eliminate all your shadows or else your shot will look flat.

Lastly, a backlight positioned behind you can give an appealing highlight to the ends of your head and even help to separate your hair from blending into your background if both happen to be dark.

3. 4-Point Lighting

As a YouTuber, you may not only want yourself to be seen optimally with proper lighting, but you may also want your background to be seen optimally, especially if you’ve taken the time to decorate it for your audience.

What you’ll need to ensure that your background is sufficiently lit is 4-point lighting setup. The 4-point lighting setup is the same as a 3-point lighting setup, but with an additional light shining at your background.

For more information on lighting equipment, check out my Top 17 Video Lighting Equipment For YouTubers .

Touch Up YouTube Videos with Filmora

Filmora is one of the best video editing software for YouTube beginners to start the YouTube channel. So, if you find the lighting isn’t perfect after recording, you can use the Auto Color Enhancement feature in Filmora to adjust the color with one-click. Or, you can change the white balance, Light, color, and HSL manually. Filmora also features some presets and LUTs templates , which allows you to apply pre-programmed effects to video for color correction faster.

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett

Oct 26, 2023• Proven solutions

0

When it comes to sensitivity to light, no consumer-level camera sensor comes close in performance to the human eye. Many newbies to videography, though, don’t think about this when they use their camera indoors and discover that their recorded footage appears too dark.

If you want to use your camera indoors as many YouTubers do, you’ll need to have extra light. But the solution is not as simple as surrounding yourself with lamps that are all randomly placed.

Below, I’ll go into detail on how you can set up your lighting equipment to make your YouTube videos look good.

Table of Contents Using Light You Already Have Window LightingHome Lighting Home Studio Lighting Light Control3-Point Lighting4-Point Lighting

Part 1: Using Light You Already Have

Most beginner YouTubers light their videos with what they already have. That’s what I did to start as well. In the past, my video recording space consisted of natural sunlight coming from my window and ceiling light for times when the sunlight wasn’t strong enough.

1. Window Lighting

The best thing about window lighting is that it’s free. The worst thing about it is that it’s uncontrollable. The amount of light you get in your video can vary with all the changes in the weather.

Window lighting for me was especially difficult to work with because I live in a very rainy and cloudy city, Vancouver, Canada, where we pretty much just get three months of good sun.

Above are two freeze frames from one of Daniel’s past window-lit vlogs. Although these two frames are both from the same vlog, you can see that the image on the right looks brighter due to clearer skies at that moment. These varying amounts of light is what you will have to deal with if you choose to light your YouTube video with window lighting.

2. Home Lighting

Home lighting is another source of light that many new YouTubers use. In the past, when my window light wasn’t strong enough to light my video recording space, I would turn on the ceiling light.

Notice how the color of Daniel’s skin looks much more orange here (above) than the color of the skin in the two side-by-side window lighting examples? The side of the face also appears to look bluer. This all happened because he mixed up different color temperatures shining out of the two lights (cooler window light and warmer ceiling light).

Most home lighting is warmer in its color temperature. If you want to use your home lights without everything being orange-tinted, you’ll need to switch out your light bulbs for daytime LED light bulbs.

Ceiling lights are also typically situated in the center of a room in order to light an entire room evenly. This is not likely to be the best location for your filming video. Since the ceiling light was directly above the face in the above example, you can see harder shadows beneath his cheeks.

Part 2: Home Studio Lighting

If you rather not deal with all the window and home lighting challenges, you can set up studio lighting in your home.

1. Light Control

The first thing you’ll want to do to set up studio lighting in your home is to pick a room to film in and eliminate as much external lighting as you can. Use blinds, curtains, towels, or any thick fabric to block sunlight from shining into your room.

2. 3-Point Lighting

The most common setup for studio lighting is 3-point lighting. For this kind of lighting you’ll need three lights: a key light, a fill light, and a back light (also called a hair light).

Out of the three lights, the key light should be the brightest. When it is positioned to the left of you (as shown in the diagram above) your right side will have shadows.

To minimize the shadows on your right side, use a weaker light as a fill light. You don’t want your fill light to completely eliminate all your shadows or else your shot will look flat.

Lastly, a backlight positioned behind you can give an appealing highlight to the ends of your head and even help to separate your hair from blending into your background if both happen to be dark.

3. 4-Point Lighting

As a YouTuber, you may not only want yourself to be seen optimally with proper lighting, but you may also want your background to be seen optimally, especially if you’ve taken the time to decorate it for your audience.

What you’ll need to ensure that your background is sufficiently lit is 4-point lighting setup. The 4-point lighting setup is the same as a 3-point lighting setup, but with an additional light shining at your background.

For more information on lighting equipment, check out my Top 17 Video Lighting Equipment For YouTubers .

Touch Up YouTube Videos with Filmora

Filmora is one of the best video editing software for YouTube beginners to start the YouTube channel. So, if you find the lighting isn’t perfect after recording, you can use the Auto Color Enhancement feature in Filmora to adjust the color with one-click. Or, you can change the white balance, Light, color, and HSL manually. Filmora also features some presets and LUTs templates , which allows you to apply pre-programmed effects to video for color correction faster.

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett

Oct 26, 2023• Proven solutions

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When it comes to sensitivity to light, no consumer-level camera sensor comes close in performance to the human eye. Many newbies to videography, though, don’t think about this when they use their camera indoors and discover that their recorded footage appears too dark.

If you want to use your camera indoors as many YouTubers do, you’ll need to have extra light. But the solution is not as simple as surrounding yourself with lamps that are all randomly placed.

Below, I’ll go into detail on how you can set up your lighting equipment to make your YouTube videos look good.

Table of Contents Using Light You Already Have Window LightingHome Lighting Home Studio Lighting Light Control3-Point Lighting4-Point Lighting

Part 1: Using Light You Already Have

Most beginner YouTubers light their videos with what they already have. That’s what I did to start as well. In the past, my video recording space consisted of natural sunlight coming from my window and ceiling light for times when the sunlight wasn’t strong enough.

1. Window Lighting

The best thing about window lighting is that it’s free. The worst thing about it is that it’s uncontrollable. The amount of light you get in your video can vary with all the changes in the weather.

Window lighting for me was especially difficult to work with because I live in a very rainy and cloudy city, Vancouver, Canada, where we pretty much just get three months of good sun.

Above are two freeze frames from one of Daniel’s past window-lit vlogs. Although these two frames are both from the same vlog, you can see that the image on the right looks brighter due to clearer skies at that moment. These varying amounts of light is what you will have to deal with if you choose to light your YouTube video with window lighting.

2. Home Lighting

Home lighting is another source of light that many new YouTubers use. In the past, when my window light wasn’t strong enough to light my video recording space, I would turn on the ceiling light.

Notice how the color of Daniel’s skin looks much more orange here (above) than the color of the skin in the two side-by-side window lighting examples? The side of the face also appears to look bluer. This all happened because he mixed up different color temperatures shining out of the two lights (cooler window light and warmer ceiling light).

Most home lighting is warmer in its color temperature. If you want to use your home lights without everything being orange-tinted, you’ll need to switch out your light bulbs for daytime LED light bulbs.

Ceiling lights are also typically situated in the center of a room in order to light an entire room evenly. This is not likely to be the best location for your filming video. Since the ceiling light was directly above the face in the above example, you can see harder shadows beneath his cheeks.

Part 2: Home Studio Lighting

If you rather not deal with all the window and home lighting challenges, you can set up studio lighting in your home.

1. Light Control

The first thing you’ll want to do to set up studio lighting in your home is to pick a room to film in and eliminate as much external lighting as you can. Use blinds, curtains, towels, or any thick fabric to block sunlight from shining into your room.

2. 3-Point Lighting

The most common setup for studio lighting is 3-point lighting. For this kind of lighting you’ll need three lights: a key light, a fill light, and a back light (also called a hair light).

Out of the three lights, the key light should be the brightest. When it is positioned to the left of you (as shown in the diagram above) your right side will have shadows.

To minimize the shadows on your right side, use a weaker light as a fill light. You don’t want your fill light to completely eliminate all your shadows or else your shot will look flat.

Lastly, a backlight positioned behind you can give an appealing highlight to the ends of your head and even help to separate your hair from blending into your background if both happen to be dark.

3. 4-Point Lighting

As a YouTuber, you may not only want yourself to be seen optimally with proper lighting, but you may also want your background to be seen optimally, especially if you’ve taken the time to decorate it for your audience.

What you’ll need to ensure that your background is sufficiently lit is 4-point lighting setup. The 4-point lighting setup is the same as a 3-point lighting setup, but with an additional light shining at your background.

For more information on lighting equipment, check out my Top 17 Video Lighting Equipment For YouTubers .

Touch Up YouTube Videos with Filmora

Filmora is one of the best video editing software for YouTube beginners to start the YouTube channel. So, if you find the lighting isn’t perfect after recording, you can use the Auto Color Enhancement feature in Filmora to adjust the color with one-click. Or, you can change the white balance, Light, color, and HSL manually. Filmora also features some presets and LUTs templates , which allows you to apply pre-programmed effects to video for color correction faster.

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Richard Bennett