Starter • ≈ $100–$200
Desk-Friendly
- Desk-mount LED panel (bi-color)
- Small fill panel
- RGB bar for background
Quick Picks
Mid • ≈ $250–$500
Soft Key
- Softbox kit (2) key/fill
- Bi-color panel hair/back
- Adjustable stands + sandbags
Pro • ≈ $600–$1,500
COB + Modifiers
- COB LED (Bowens mount) + 60–90 cm softbox
- RGB tubes for accents
- C-stand with boom arm
Key Lights
Desk Panels (Clean & Compact)
- Elgato-style key light — slim, dimmable, app control
- Bi-color LED panels with diffusion
Place the key 45° off-axis and slightly above eye level, angled down.
COB Monolights (Soft & Powerful)
- 60–120W COB LED (Bowens)
- Parabolic 60–90 cm softbox + grid
Use a larger softbox when your camera is wider/room is bigger for softer wrap.
Ring Lights (Fast Setup)
Works in tight spaces, but panels/softboxes give more natural catchlights.
Softboxes & Modifiers
| Modifier | Use Case | Pick |
|---|---|---|
| Rectangular Softbox (60×90 cm) | Classic key for desk/talking head | 60×90 with grid |
| Parabolic (65–90 cm) | Soft wrap, pleasing falloff | Parabolic + inner/outer diff |
| Strip Softbox (35×140 cm) | Rim/hair or edge light control | Strip with grid |
| Diffusion | Soften harsh LEDs | 1–2 stop diffusion cloth |
RGB & Accent Lighting
Background Color
- RGB tubes behind you (45°)
- Smart LED strips on shelves
Practical Lamps
- High-CRI smart bulbs in a table lamp
Hair/Separation
- Small bi-color panel over shoulder
Stands, Mounts & Grip
Stands
- Light stands (2-pack)
- C-stand + boom for overhead
Mounting
Safety
- Sandbags on stands
- Velcro ties for cable runs
Power & Control
Power Options
- NP-F battery kits for panels
- Surge-protected power strips
Control
- Smart plugs for one-tap on/off
- Basic DMX/remote control (optional)
Color & Quality
- Stick to 5000–5600K for daylight look
- Prefer CRI/TLCI ≥ 95 for accurate color
Complete Lighting Kits
≈ $400 Softbox Studio
- Softbox kit (2) key/fill
- Small bi-color panel hair
- Two stands + sandbags
$800–$1.5k Pro COB Package
- COB LED + 90 cm parabolic
- RGB tubes (2) for background
- C-stand + boom
Room Layouts
Small Bedroom/Desk
- Desk panel key 45° off-axis
- Clip panel fill at ~½ power
- RGB strip behind monitor/bookshelf
Home Office
- Softbox key (60–90 cm) camera-left
- Panel hair light behind at low power
- Practical lamp in background
Garage/Studio
- COB key through parabolic + grid
- Strip softbox rim at 135°
- RGB tubes to shape depth
Camera & Tuning
- Set white balance to a fixed 5000–5600K (don’t leave on auto).
- Expose for skin: watch histogram, avoid clipping highlights.
- Key ≈ 45° off-axis; fill ≈ ½ key; hair light low and behind.
- Reduce ISO by adding light, not by crushing shadows in post.
- Use grids/flags to keep light off your background when needed.
FAQ
Panel vs softbox: which looks better on faces?
Softboxes wrap better and reduce harshness. Panels are compact and fast but benefit from added diffusion.
How bright should my key be?
Aim for comfortable exposure at your chosen ISO without blowing highlights—typically 10–40% brightness for close setups.
Do I need RGB?
No—but color accents add depth and brand identity. Keep saturation moderate so skin tones stay natural.
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