How to Get Cinematic Lighting Anywhere
Disclosure: This website may contain affiliate links to Amazon or others meaning that I make a small commission form qualifying purchases if you decide to make a purchase through one of my links. This is at no extra cost to you.
Ever tried filming a video in a hotel room, only to be greeted with weird yellow lighting and unflattering shadows? We’ve all been there. The good news? You don’t need a full-blown studio setup to get professional lighting on the go. Whether you’re traveling light or filming from your Airbnb, here’s how to turn dull lighting into video gold.
From “Meh” to Movie-Ready
Let’s start with the basics: hotel lighting is not your friend. Overhead bulbs and bedside lamps might feel cozy, but they’ll rarely make you look your best on camera. The first step? Turn off all those warm, orangey room lights. They’re doing your video no favors.
Portable Gear, Big Results
For this setup, all I used was a small, powerful, and ultra-portable light: the Zhiyun Molus X100. It’s a tiny COB light that packs a punch—even at just 4% brightness, it lights a scene beautifully. Paired with a dome diffusion modifier, it softens shadows and gives that flattering, glowy light we all want in our talking head videos.
A lightweight stand and a compact tripod (like the ones from Ulanzi and K&F Concept) round out the kit. No heavy bags, no extra outlets needed—it all runs on battery power.
Let the Background Do Some Work
While your key light is focused on your face, your background still needs a little love. Enter the backlight: in this case, the Zhiyun FiveRay M40, placed off to the side. It gives a soft rim light that separates you from the background and adds a subtle professional touch.
Bonus Tip: No Gear? Use the Window.
If you don’t have a light with you, use what nature gave you—a window. Natural light can be stunning when positioned right. Just sit facing the window, adjust your camera exposure, and voilà! Soft, even lighting without lifting a finger (except to open the curtain).
Final Thoughts
Good lighting doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. With one small key light, a diffusion dome, and maybe a backlight for extra polish, you can film anywhere—from hotel rooms to jungle huts—and still look like a pro.
So next time you’re traveling or just filming in a less-than-ideal space, remember: it's not about having more gear. It’s about knowing how to use what you’ve got.
Happy filming—wherever you are!
