Cove Lighting Tutorial for Filmmakers inspired by Cinematographer Roger Deakins

In this tutorial, I will show you how to use cove lighting to create a cinematic looking image. This lighting video was inspired by one of my favorite Cinematographers, Roger Deakins. Deakins uses this lighting technique in his films. Check out his work on IMDB. It includes amazing films like: 1917, Skyfall and No Country for Old Men to name a few. He’s amazing. Basically, Cove Lighting involves creating a curved wall of muslin around part of our subject and then aiming multiple lights at it. The goal is to have this bounced light wrap around our subject, but still make it look like the light is coming from a natural light source (the lamp on the table in our example). The curved wall of Muslin begins on the side of the lamp and ends next to the side of the camera. We will illuminate the cove with 3 inexpensive led lights. I just placed them on the floor aimed at the muslin. All 3 are daylight balanced, so that’s the white balance setting we chose for our camera, the blackmagic pocket 6K. We will add additional lights to the background, including a RGB light.

GEAR USED IN THIS VIDEO:

Mybecca 100% Cotton Muslin Fabric/Textile Unbleached, Draping Fabric Wide: 63 inch Natural 5-Yard (5.25 Feet x 15 Feet):

YONGNUO YN300 III LED Video Light with 5600k Color Temperature and Adjustable Brightness:

Neewer 2 Pieces 6600mAh Replacement Li-ion Battery for Sony NP Batteries and LCD Dual Charger:

YONGNUO YN360 II LED Video Light 3200-5500K RGB Full Color Photo LED Stick:

Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 6K:

Neewer 75"/6 Feet/190CM Photography Light Stands for Relfectors, Softboxes, Lights, Umbrellas, Backgrounds:

Neewer 35" x 70"/ 90 x 180cm Photo Studio Gold/Silver & Black/White Flat Panel Light Reflector with 360 degree Rotating Holding Bracket and Carrying Bag:

Cree 60W Equivalent Daylight (5000K) A19 Dimmable Exceptional Light Quality LED Light Bulb (2-Pack):

UTEBIT 12 Pack Backdrop Clips for Photography Heavy Duty 4 Inch Large Nylon Spring Clamps Muslin Photo Support Clip for Background Backdrops Stand, Video, Studio, Reflectors:

Moving Storage Packing Blanket - Super Size 40" x 72" Professional Quilted Shipping Movers Furniture Pad (1, Black):

LINCO Lincostore Photography Video Studio Pro Boom Arm with Reflector Holder and Counterweight AM146:

YONGNUO YN300 Air Pro LED Video Light Photography Camera 96 LED Light Adjustable Color Temperature 3200K-5500K:

DISCLAIMERS:

This video and its content was not reviewed or paid for by outside persons or manufacturers.

[jeancaceres]

This is one of the best and most straightforward tutorials on this lighting technique. Most of today's YouTube "tutorials" are nothing more than commercials to sell expensive light equipment.

[AANasseh]

That was a great tutorial on Cove Lighting, simple and concise! It was also well explained and executed! Cheers!

[ericwilliams]

I just quickly set up a cove basic set up with two lights different temperatures. As a quick set up the outcome was awesome. I describe it as allowing the blacks to interweave within the pixelization of the image.

[ericwilliams]

What I like about cove lighting is the flexibility on size. So you started with one character and if the script progressed two more characters came into the scene, cove lighting allows the expansion with little effort for adjustments and closeups become easier to manage when on a time limit. Will be testing this out soon. Thanks!

[chinitopinoy]

Very nice tutorial! Clear and concise!

[ratt]

Great video! I'd like to have seen how you lit this scene with cove lighting for daylight, rather than shutting the curtains and making it look like night.

[MosesBamgbose]

I really love what you're doing. Good lighting technique.

[anonymissed]

Interesting way to use multiple fixtures to lo like one broad source.

[DanielTuriman]

Thnks man, love your set up, make me inspired to do at home. I try do this set up at my new short film.

[allanosantiago]

Thank you for actually showing how this is set up. I thought before that the lights were set up at the back of the muslin, or it's interchangeable? a slight request, it would have been nice to see the difference side by side when you opened the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and adding the negative fill. But over all a superb tutorial. 👍

[MyJeanf]

This video is so good and well explained. I plan to use this type of lighting for interview settings.

[HaydnRushworth-Filmmaker]

Clean, simple, to the point. Well done, great video :-)

[walkmotopov]

Simple, easy to understand, and organized. thanks for this tutorial! Where did you buy your producer's blanket? matthew's sound blanket have some mixed reviews though. Thanks for this! subbed!

[athulmenon]

A great video with amazing explanation.. Don't know how to thank you for this😬😭😭🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🥰🥰😍

[sondp]

The muslin in the link is out of stock can you refer us to another one, want to make sure i buy the right material.

[kenzieandcurtis]

Amazing tutorial! Really appreciate it! I make filmmaking related tutorials as well. Any support would mean alot! Thanks again