Great homemade lighting for your videos, without buying anything

The difference between an amateur video and one that draws people in is often the light before anything else. Good news: the best source is free and it's called a window.

The window rule

Face the window, never with your back to it, or you'll turn into a shadow. Soft daytime light, without direct sun in your eyes, flatters almost every face.

In the evening, bring a desk lamp closer and place a sheet of white paper in front to soften it. Avoid ceiling lights that dig into your features and tire out the image.