Beauty Lighting 101 | 3 Commercial Lighting Techniques

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When shooting beauty commercials you will have to light a variety of different skin tones and utilize a variety of different styles. By learning the fundamentals of beauty lighting, you'll be able to create flattering light on anyone's face. Director and DP Valentina Vee shows us how to light for beauty for 3 different styles and skin tones.
Lighting for beauty commercials encapsulates a variety of different scenarios, and the key is to match the style of your visuals to the desires of the client. You can create everything from creating a bright, high-key look to highlight skin tones, to a cinematic, low-key style, that accentuates your talent's features. Beauty lighting can require intricate lighting designs, allowing you to express your inner creativity, while also giving you the opportunity to please your clients.
In this video, Valentina discusses the importance of soft light and tailoring your style to your client's needs, while also acknowledging, that you can still achieve beautifully cinematic results without soft light. The commercial look requires the softest, and brightest lighting design, while the 80s vintage look utilizes a warmer, hazier quality. Lastly, the avant-garde look throws caution to the wind and incorporates hard light, slashes, and intense color contrast to create cinematic imagery.
By mastering beauty lighting you'll be able to create stunning portraits and commercials, that highlight both the talent's and the client's desired features. These techniques don't only apply to commercial cinematography, but also grant you the ability to light faces of any kind. The skills learned from beauty lighting are linked to being able to tailor the look and style of the lighting to the needs of the story.
Connect with Valentina: / valentinavee
Connect with Daisy: / daisyricc
Connect with Kira: / kira_conley
Connect with Shelby: / prettyoungthing06
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Summary:
Aputure's KZbin channel provides free high quality cinematography, lighting, and filmmaking educational content to help you take your film projects to the next level.

[@aputurelighting]

Isn't Vee the best?

[@ScribblebytesWorldwide]

She is! I love her references!

[@agudal8503]

Indeed.

[@avinashmurthy4690]

Your "lighting expert" cannot even pronounce the name of your company, lol 4:27

[@CinecomCrew]

Learned a bunch of new things! Thanks a lot guys 🙂

[@valentinavee]

Cinecom.net yay! You’re welcome.

[@aputurelighting]

Happy to hear it! All the best!

[@ThisIsTechToday]

I love these! Lighting is SO much fun. It's like painting but with light

[@Vikaskumar-mj5ky]

Thankyou very much for this now i need to buy so many lights,Filters, reflectors

[@GatesRick]

One of the best 4-minute film schools to date. You guys keep upping the value of your vids.

[@valentinavee]

Rick Gates yay! Wait till you see next week’s!

[@BrianElliottFilm]

Thank you! This is fantastic. So many beautiful lighting tutorials for photo, but not too many for video. Very well done and great results! Thanks guys. I'll have to try some of these tips.

[@alwayshavefaith2521]

Off topic but omg that black model is so beautiful

[@AMAETV]

Fantastic video! I’m usually so wrapped up in what I can do in post I forget you can add so many cool effects during a shoot ✨✨

[@jayeuptown]

Learned a ton of stuff on the channel! Thank you guys!

[@chadwin]

Love love loved this episode! Epic lighting setups. Learned some good stuff. Thanks for being one of the best sources out there on lighting, my all time favorite topic!

[@aputurelighting]

Thanks Chadwin - it's really our pleasure! And, we're lucky to have awesome subscribers like you!

[@alexecheverria7746]

You guys give great value. You make me better at a job I love to do. Thanks.

[@nm-conceptfilms]

Thank you for all those incredible lighting tips! One of the beauty commercials that influenced me the most, is Bruno Aveillans - Chanel J12. His work is pure art. ❤️

[@Ixtlilton]

Thanks for this video, it was quite insightful. Some of my favorite commercials are Gucci's; just love the mini stories they manage to convey in such short time as well as the softness in their light. Just lovely!

[@Allenvisuals]

This was awesome! Living in South Africa I’ve been seeing a lot of mixed lighting setups in our TVC’s lately, especially using orange and green gels... really brings out the colourful rich African vibe well, especially against the typical European style commercial look.

[@joeegasm]

The old spice man commercial has my favorite beauty lighting!! Hes gorgeous and iconic

[@valentinavee]

Filmswag You’re not wrong.

[@Project_2501]

That "hazy 80s vibe" is actually created by the medium back then, which was film. But I liked how you could "emulate" it using that little trick with the light.

[@angellover02171]

80's glamour pics are unbeatable.

[@yashjaiswal7535]

Just love your content , plz have other breakdown specially film like cinematography database as he have not been doing it for a while.

[@just.do.something]

Thanks for all of these great videos!

[@CHALADEITALIA]

Michael Bay's Victoria's Secret 'A Night Of A Thousand Fantasies' 2011 Promo shoot. It's all of these concepts cranked up to 11. I'm not a fan of the editing, but the photography is stellar. I am particularly impressed with how he's able to use saturation rich film and still capture precise skin tones. How he soft lights the talent but hard lights everything else for contrast. And the use of shadows to create contour but just enough not mess with the colors on the talent's skin. Add to that his signature camera moves, his demanding directorial choices, sets and choreographies. I saw a behind the scenes and you can see that it's him making those razor sharp choices, he was even operating camera himself. A lot of the techniques and choices from that promo were addressed here and I learned a lot. Rewatching that promo I was just like-- Ohhhhh so that's why. Thanks for this video!! :D

[@108Funality]

The beauty shoot in this video is amazing. Wow thanks Aputure, I learned so much from this video : )

[@inawalter8653]

„The Party Bus“ by Shiseido. The animated make-up really stood out to me. Have never seen anything like that before. A very artistic ad and the animations brought in a new fun level of emotional depth. I also really love the quote in the end - „Make up your own story“!

[@drafeirha]

wow thank you for sharing, that video is definitely gonna make it onto my list of inspirations!

[@BojosFilm1]

Every Bruno Aveillan commercial 😍 His art is so distinctive and beautiful !

[@TobiasEnevoldsen]

Great video as always. I think a really great use of beauty lighting is in the movie Neon Demon. It's a dark look at the world of fashion models, so they use techniques from beauty film/photography and combine it with dark and ominous visuals. Not an easy task to combine these two elements, but I think they pulled it of.

[@LeatherWindows]

This is awesome! I never thought about utilizing the two floppies to help contour the face like that! I'm not sure if it counts as a standard beauty commercial, but I saw a 2016 Shiseido creative ad a while back that had a cool soft narrative/beauty look to it.

[@LeHeatels]

First off, really appreciate the way you deliver knowledge about lighting in this series - watching each episode makes me want to create. Secondly, I’m not into beauty business but quiet recently I watched the new J'Adore Absolu commercial from Dior and I have to say I’m pretty impressed and inspired from the cinematography point of view. The whole luxury, goldish feeling of this commercial is accomplished so well by lighting whole scene with warm and soft source (which could be tricky on stage that large). You also got this moody, hazy, atmospheric shot with rim lighting on the models at the beginning and contrast silhouette lighting of the talent at the end. Beautiful 👌 The cinematography of this commercial is so on point that it really gets into my head - or maybe I’m exaggerating and it’s just scantily clad Charlize Theron 😃😃😃

[@sofusdelamotte9541]

I saw the 80's look, and immediately thought of the Soul-Glo commercial from coming to America! It made me so happy when you mentioned it yourself! Hope to win the MW!

[@VK_DOP]

Vintage look is the best you have done here. 🔥👍

[@ngzonghee]

Gucci Guilty starring Chris Evans definitely stood out to me in the aspect of lighting, its like a homage to film noir.. such stylish choice!

[@adam.mcmillan]

Wow! Watching this as someone who knows nothing about this subject but the outcomes were incredible

[@aputurelighting]

This is a great place to start!

[@jrock198121]

The beauty lighting I have always liked was in the Covergirl commercials

[@mfgonz]

Loved this! Would dig a video on diy cutters or filtering light with home made pieces. I can't remember a particular commercial but I do vaguely remember some Calvin K or perfume ad where the hazy / prism effect was all over (lol, most of the commercials) but seriously, I dig that effect but also feel it should be used super carefully! Would LOVE A LIGHT! Thanks for the tutorials guys

[@JamesNobleMusic]

Excellent work! Loved this video so much

[@abyhamouda3813]

Some great lighting ideas here, many thanks

[@hiddengems4720]

Super helpful guys, thanks for sharing!

[@mehproducciones]

I'm still all into the Kenzo World campaign with Margaret Qualley. It has such a sweet Production Design and all the out of the box thinking with that classy look but really weird acting that made it spectacular. Not to mention the whole invisible cameras on the mirrored-wall stairs. Simply amazing.

[@matthijsk.6495]

I once saw a beauty commercial from Gucci and I love the weird style and looks. It was verry inspiring.

[@BarefootMediaTV]

love the video, would love a similar one with different types of corporate interview lighting! question for me is why do we not see more about the ls mini 20? I own 3 aputure 672 panels and one lightstorm 120d. They are all great soft lights but im thinking about adding a couple small hard lights to my kit for hair light, background light i can shape or dramatic looks. I have no idea if the ls mini is powerful enough for me? How does it compare it brightness to the 672 panels? Id love my kit to be a mix of 2 panels and 2 hard lights but see very little reviews on the mini 20

[@heyyitsandy]

I remember some cool Rimmel “London Look” commercials in the mid 90’s that were creatively ahead of their time, plus I’d really love an MW!

[@tonypmedia]

I like anything outside of the US styles lol.

[@sarahmua4356]

Helped a lot! thank you so much!

[@followyourfocus]

Nice!!! Beauty lighting is Beautiful....

[@luucamNY]

She is a beast with the setups 🔥

[@valentinavee]

Luu Cam thanks!

[@gregrosetzky9130]

Great Tutorial! Thanks! :)

[@yankey4]

Levi Allen asked me to come over and sub. Thanks for giving us a shot at some killer lights. Most of all. Thanks for sharing so much with all of us. God Bless.

[@dariusryankadem]

This is just terrific 👏 👌👌👌

[@narudh]

really nice ideas with the 80s look

[@nataliaowsianska1399]

To be honest beauty commercials are so similar to each other these days that it’s tricky to pick one - the only one that gets into my head Is Daisy Dream by Marc Jacobs from 2014 🌼🌼🌼 It’s funny because after all of these years reviewing it cinematography-wise there is nothing special - only natural, quite harsh lighting, amateurish pull back shots and fade in/fade out effects with the clouds and soft 80’s lookin image. Anyway - I kind of love it ❤️ it is so slightly off in the best that it creates this dreamy atmosphere which matching the advertised product so well 👌 That’s the proof how important it is to trigger certain feelings in the viewer, which will stay in his head much stronger than nice looking frames. After checking who was director of this ad I’m not surprised its experienced and valued director Sofia Coppola 🎬 creating your own style is so important to really stand out 😉

[@skincareprove5598]

Really....this is a useful content.

[@bernice_chu]

Katy Perry's commercial with CoverGirl is pretty good. I remember they used gels like the last example to reflect her personality and they also used soft lighting together.

[@GZY-bc2pr]

I've been really blown away about the lighting on the music video by 'Anne-Marie & James Arthur - Rewrite The Stars'. The soft lighting looks crazy flattering there, especially on Anne Marie's face. Still can't figure out how they did it from this video and would love your take on it!

[@kalu2922]

ted welcome back !! ted !!

[@HaydnRushworth-Filmmaker]

I'm often blown away but the gorgeous beauty imagery of music videos and I'm constantly trying to work out how much of the effect is... 1 - LIGHTING 2 - MAKEUP 3 - POST PRODUCTION, SKIN-SMOOTHING VFX Case in point, Arana Grande's video for Thank U, Next, especially one of the opening scenes from 0:42 seconds to 1:05. I'd LOVE to replicate that look in a short film but all I have to work with is my small collection of Yongnuo LED lights (1 x spot, 2 x wands and a small 300 LED unit). So, two questions: Q.1 - How close to that look could I get if I had great lighting? Q.2 - What lighting would I need in order to get as close to that look as possible? :-)

[@plotcoalition]

'KENZO World - The new fragrance' is definitely up there

[@humbertoteski]

Very good episode

[@Dependsonthelens]

Boggie's music video "Parfum" has some interesting beauty lighting, especially that they match the changing lighting with the tone & message of the video.

[@jessedameron7985]

This was great. If you only had 1 Aputure 300D ii light and 2 Aputure MC lights (or similar portable LED lights), and couldn't budget for any more lights than that, how would you make the most of them for a client video testimonial?

[@ObeyAmmalol]

3:07 I love this look so much I want to master it

[@alexbutler21]

Very good video, but it would be nice to see a wide shoot of the lighting setup to see where the lights are placed

[@tabaresweddingfilms]

setting the right white balance also helps XD

[@MatthewHyatt]

Man I love these. Can I please work for you guys?

[@timoscheltes3983]

Unfortunately I don't watch television, so I don't see any commercials. Also I would like to know when you guys choose the winner.

[@JDenim88]

Wow. I need more money 😂 super cool tutorial. 🙏🏾

[@FoodTechLife]

Wow very cool! - I can't name a specific commercial but the type that always stands out are eye lash ones. They always try to out do one another. Suggestion - Maybe make a KZbin Beauty channel lighting setup.

[@REVIEWSONTHERUN]

Nice!✌️

[@npgphoto3796]

感谢您的分享，持续学习英文，持续学习摄影

[@user-cs2rx3ig3n]

跟我一起學習吧!

[@ellepratt5003]

Where can I find the accent light you used?

[@zerozero4415]

😍😍

[@zerozero4415]

❤❤❤❤

[@Jay-oe2od]

Diagram for the essence look?

[@ObeyAmmalol]

I gonna attempt this with black and white poster board and tin foil

[@naromngin]

Whoa! Never seen a star filter before. Where can I pick up these bad boys?

[@valentinavee]

Narom Ngin I got mine on Amazon. Mine was the 4-point version but there are many different types.

[@TJ-TJ]

80s lighting is coming back in. now. And so is the vintage lenses.

[@yosoyalbertico]

2046 is so beauty film

[@iheartneppi3190]

what is the difference between black flags for contouring and doing it in post ??? just time ?

[@iheartneppi3190]

what is the difference between fill light and light leak what even is photography

[@iheartneppi3190]

why does she use grids AND flags

[@iheartneppi3190]

photography basics is something ill never understand

[@juancarlospena7089]

I never used grids on the key light when beauty lighting high-key. I know she said it was important. Can anyone explain?

[@WatchJimmyBall]

Helps control spill and sharpens the light

[@juancarlospena7089]

Thanks. Yeah, I know what a grid is for. I just didn’t understand why you wouldn’t want the lights to wrap around or “spill” in a high key set up. Are usually use grids on low-key set ups.

[@KINGSprod]

I agree with you, the grid will make it less soft

[@italianinoslo]

I think she said it was important because they were adding negative fills, and to add more contrast, while still keeping the light relatively soft :)

[@KINGSprod]

ItalianInOslo Possibly, could also use flags for the spill tho

[@tabeabussmann]

Why is a grid on the strobe in the first setup? Bc the backround is white too so there is no interference 🧐

[@aputurelighting]

Grids help focus the light and shape their directionality so there is less spill.

[@tabeabussmann]

@@aputurelighting thx I know but why in a high key setting where light spill is wanted?

[@ab00781]

Cool. #AputureCool

[@iamsocial4340]

Here for the thumbnail model. Tasty.

[@FULLofJOHN]

Wuuuuut

[@zerozero4415]

Download all clips in Arabs

[@mrtnmlchr]

Even though this would not be considered beauty in terms of lightning i would suggest David Lynchs Commercials for Gucci, YSL and in favor this Jil Sander Spot kzbin.info/www/bejne/nIW0gWuAlr-Vhq8 which features some interesting Scenes which probably only David Lynch is allowed to do in context of beauty/cosmetics commercials. Last Week i visited an photo exhibition showing David Lynchs "Nudes" Project, which also features some beautful photography work. Very mysterious and simply stunning.

[@AndreasTheFoot]

This Coco Mademoiselle ad from Chanel I found amazing: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l4O5XmWVitNgoc0 Pretty classic and a bit dramatic for a beauty commercial, but awesome

[@faridtahmasebi1]

@t Participate in making a movie

[@dafidi2787]

Answer to question : Chris Brown's video for Questions.

[@devPunks]

🏆 *BEST COMMERCIAL?* That was a trick question. OF COURSE It's *SOUL GLO from Coming to America!* kzbin.info/www/bejne/n6Opo3VrgbKFoa8 When can I pick up my prize? So I can "Just Let My Soul shine through!" after I cut off my royal prince locks. PLEASE and THANK YOU! XO 😂

[@valentinavee]

Snuggs Stovall I mean, I agree. That’s why I decided to use it as inspiration.

[@MattyBeavs]

?....?

[@awkwardblacktribe2100]

3:13 That white lady has seen Coming to America? WOW!

[@ChocolateHabanero22]

33rd!!!

[@otonaxo]

bro didnt open his eyes in the whole video

[@Paul2]

Really liked this miumiu campaign with Elle Fanning: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i4TJqoueqdOnmsU Not only is it super out there, but it's subject reminds me of classic Hollywood. Love the lighting, production design, and concept

[@BlackWinterProduction]

This is really amazing! It was shot anamorphic, which always adds to the beauty. And they used star filters, too)

[@HEREONOUTBAILEY]

That thumbnail is hideous!