How To Use a Tube Light for Experimental Cinematic Footage

What Is a Tube Light?

A tube light is a type of fluorescent or LED light that is tubular in shape; it’s exactly what it sounds like! These lights are commonly used in filmmaking and photography for their even, soft light output, which can reduce harsh shadows and provide a natural-looking light source. They’re incredibly easy to stick anywhere for a quick lighting solution on the fly, with no long setup times or sandbags. I use these bad boys for nearly every production due to their versatility and compact size.

By incorporating tube lights into their toolkit, filmmakers can achieve professional-looking lighting with minimal equipment, making them ideal for both traditional and mobile filmmaking projects.

Key Features & Benefits:

1. Even Illumination: Tube lights provide consistent light over a wide area, making them ideal for evenly lighting scenes without creating harsh shadows or highlights.
2. Color Temperature Control: Many tube lights, especially LED versions, allow filmmakers to adjust the color temperature, enabling them to match the lighting to different environments or achieve specific moods.
3. Portability: LED tube lights are lightweight and often battery-powered, making them easy to transport and set up for anywhere the scene takes you.
4. Flexibility: Tube lights can be used in various configurations, such as mounted on stands, handheld, or even attached to walls or ceilings, providing versatility in lighting scenes.

Why Tube Lights Are So Dynamic

A tube light’s even, soft output is particularly useful for product photography and B-roll – allowing filmmakers to dramatize scenes and highlight product details. The versatility of these types of lights is further amplified with features like color temperature control and High Color Rendering Index (CRI), which brings out true-to-life skin tones and high contrast, making them perfect for portraits.

I especially love the LumeCube 4ft XL Light Tube because you can use your phone’s camera to color-pick a real-life object’s color to match a brand’s specific color, adding a personal touch to the shot. This attention to detail makes this type of light so versatile when used to its full advantage.

Beyond primary lighting — tube lights also provide additional creative possibilities. They can be used as a backlight to add depth and separation between the subject and the background, really adding a dynamic touch to the overall composition. Placing tube lights in the background as-is can add dimension, especially in setups like talking head videos or educational segments where a single subject is the focus. You often see this in YouTube videos, as this not only improves the aesthetic appeal but also keeps the audience visually engaged.

The portability and flexible mounting options of tube lights make them an ideal choice for various run-and-gun shooting scenarios, simply magnetically attached them to a surface and bam. I’m obsessed with their portability and alway pack one on me.

How to Achieve Different Looks with One Light Source

Using a tube light as your only light source for filmmaking is totally doable, especially in mobile filmmaking, where minimal gear is encouraged. Here are some of my personal tips to make the most out of a single tube light, achieving a variety of vibes and a ‘filmic’ look:

Utilize Natural Light

Get creative with multiple sources! Leveraging natural light as a fill or bounce light can complement your tube light perfectly. By turning off any artificial flood lights or tungsten lamps, you can avoid mixed lighting issues and maintain a clean, natural look. Position your tube light as the primary light source and use the available natural light to fill in shadows and add depth to your scene. This approach reduces the need for additional gear and creates a balanced, organic lighting setup. The less gear, the better in my opinion.

Create Depth with Gaff Tape and Sheets

To add extra depth and shadows to your subject, consider using gaff tape or sheets on either side of your tube light. This technique helps to control the spread of light, directing it more precisely onto your subject and enhancing the three-dimensional quality of your scene.

Match Light Temperature

Matching the light temperature of your tube light to the outdoor light is crucial for achieving a natural look indoors. Daylight is typically around 5600 Kelvin, so set your tube light to this temperature to blend seamlessly with any natural light coming in through windows. This creates a cohesive and natural atmosphere, avoiding the jarring effect of mismatched lighting colors and maintaining a realistic look in your film.

Use Diffusion for Softer Lighting

Diffusion is key to achieving a softer, more ethereal depth in your scenes. Diffusion filters, such as the CineBloom, can be placed over your camera filter to additionally soften the light and reduce harsh shadows, giving your footage a more cinematic flair. For a budget-friendly alternative, texture spray can be used, though it may be less environmentally friendly. Diffused light wraps around your subject more gently, creating a flattering and professional look that is often sought after in filmmaking.

My Favorite Tube Lights

Lume Cube’s line of tube lights is a foolproof tool for beginners who want to make a big impact on their footage. Available in various sizes and dimensions, they range from large to mini, depending on your desired portability and project needs.

Two of my personal favorites are the LumeCube Mini RGB Tube and the LumeCube 4ft XL Light Tube. I also really enjoy the Amaran PT1C for long shoot days due to its incredible battery life and the tripod stands I can easily mount for added control.

I often bring these various tube lights in my camera backpack, no matter what shot I’m on or the scene I’m filming, because they are so easy to pack up and take with me, whether in the field or the studio. Plus, their magnetic backing allows me to snap them into place for a seamless setup experience in any location.

They are so much easier to use than the larger studio lights most producers use on set, and they offer greater flexibility in any location with their range of colors and dimmable capabilities. I seriously couldn’t imagine going a day without them!

Learn More from the Pros

Learning how to light your scene takes serious practice and time to get it right; there’s so much more to explore beyond these basic tips on tube lights. I didn’t even mention using additional fills, studio setups, on-camera lighting techniques, bounces, and fillers. I recently crafted an online workshop with fellow filmmakers for Moment’s 7th annual MIFF festival, with the help of my incredible crew, offering over 2+ hours of rich, in-the-field learning to my audience. I highly recommend checking it out if you want something more in-depth and personal.

Additionally, check out Danny Gevirtz’s online course on cinematic lighting and learn his daytime and nighttime shooting techniques. His real-life experience in the DP industry makes his course exceptionally useful for those who work in multi-person crews and large productions. Take these professional tips and apply them to your personal projects and future ideas.