WORKING WITH OVERHEAD LEDS: HOW TO KILL THE UGLY TOP LIGHT
Lighting plays a critical role in filmmaking and video production, shaping both the mood and visual quality of every scene. Overhead LED lights are a popular choice due to their reliability and energy efficiency, giving you a strong, flicker-free source. Yet, the direct top-down nature of overhead LED lighting can lead to harsh, unflattering shadows, especially under the eyes, nose, and chin. These shadows often flatten facial features and rob your scene of depth, resulting in images that feel dull or lifeless. When capturing facial expressions or nuanced moments, managing the downsides of harsh overhead light is essential for maintaining artistry and engagement.
The negative effects of direct overhead LED lights go beyond aesthetics—they can break the connection between your subject and the viewer. Top-lit subjects in interviews or close-ups risk appearing tired or distant, with distracting shadows that undermine emotional impact. If you aim for professional, cinematic results, controlling and minimizing the “ugly top light” must become a key part of your lighting technique. Instead of accepting the default look that overhead LEDs provide, you can use tried-and-true strategies to diffuse and shape your lighting for a more natural and inviting appearance. By doing so, you’ll craft videos with far more depth, warmth, and visual appeal.
SOFTENING OVERHEAD LED LIGHTING: DIFFUSION AND DIRECTION
The simplest and most effective way to combat harsh overhead LED lighting is with diffusion. Placing softboxes, diffusion panels, or lightweight materials such as sheer white fabric between the LEDs and your subject instantly spreads out the light, reducing the severity of shadows. For a budget-friendly approach, you can use DIY diffusers like parchment paper or a white shower curtain, which provide similar benefits in both home studios and professional setups. Diffusion works by scattering the light rays so that the illumination falling on your subject is more even, softer, and far more flattering overall. Adding even a basic diffuser between the LED and your scene offers a dramatic improvement in minimizing that “ugly top light” effect.
Adjusting the position of your overhead LED fixtures provides another layer of control. Instead of pointing the light directly down, try angling it slightly or moving the fixture laterally so it’s no longer centered over your subject. This small shift reduces the “raccoon eyes” effect and makes facial features look more dimensional. Bouncing the LED light off a white card, wall, or reflector further softens the beam, spreading its effect over a larger area. These adjustments help maintain a cinematic balance between highlights and shadows, ensuring your subjects appear lively and three-dimensional.
BALANCING SHADOWS WITH FILL LIGHTS
Introducing fill lights into your setup plays a crucial role in balancing the harsh shadows caused by overhead LEDs. A fill light is typically placed at a 45-degree angle and at a lower intensity compared to the main light, targeting dark areas under the eyes, chin, and cheeks. This approach restores depth and warmth by gently illuminating the shadowed regions without overpowering the scene. Adjusting the power and placement of your fill lights allows you to fine-tune the mood—from subtle, natural correction to more dramatic, stylized effects. Remember, the goal is to complement the main overhead source, not overpower it, so use restraint to keep the lighting nuanced and visually interesting.
Experimentation is key to achieving the right balance; too strong a fill can flatten the scene, while too little might not sufficiently counteract the overhead light’s harshness. Varying the distance and spread of your fill lights lets you control how much or how little shadow remains. For multi-person setups, consider a larger fill source to ensure consistency across all subjects.
When fill lights are used effectively, they prevent the “ugly top light” from dominating the frame, transforming even the most challenging overhead-lit scenes into visually pleasing images. This method also works well for product or tabletop photography, where dimension and shadow control are crucial.
- Effective fill light placement:
- Use a lower power light (relative to your main LED)
- Set at a 45-degree angle to your subject
- Position at or just above head height
- Experiment with distance for best result
- Use diffusion for a softer fill
REFINING OVERHEAD LIGHT WITH GRIDS, BARN DOORS, AND GEL FILTERS
If you want more precision in shaping overhead LED beams, consider using light modifiers such as grids and barn doors. Grids attach to the front of your LED, narrowing the light’s spread so you can direct it exactly where you want while preventing unwanted spill on the background or floor. Barn doors help sculpt the beam by blocking edges of the light, minimizing stray highlights and maintaining focus on your subject. These tools give you greater control and allow you to shape the mood of your scene, whether you need crisp accents or a contained pool of light. Used together with diffusion and careful placement, grids and barn doors make it easy to avoid the flat, bland look often associated with direct overhead LEDs.
Color correction and creative mood-setting are made possible with gels and filters. By adding a gel—for example, a warm amber or subtle pink—you can turn cool, clinical LED output into something much more inviting and cinematic. Adjusting color temperature with filters helps unify mixed lighting and maintains natural-looking skin tones under your LEDs. Experimenting with color and diffusion unlocks versatile looks suited for interviews, vlogs, or narrative shoots. These small adjustments are often what separate amateur lighting from the professional results seen in top-tier film and video production.
INSPIRATION FROM THE PROS
Countless filmmakers have found success by tackling tough overhead LED setups with inventive approaches. For instance, a documentary shooter transformed a sterile conference room by layering two levels of diffusion between the LEDs and subjects, then bounced additional light from a large foam board placed to the side. The result was a gentle, even fill that brought depth and humanity into every interview shot. Others use a three-point lighting system, pairing soft overhead LEDs with coordinated fill and background lights, to produce crisp, professional images for streaming or corporate video. These examples prove that mastering lighting techniques—regardless of your gear—can dramatically upgrade your video quality.
Creativity often thrives within micro-budget constraints. Many commercial directors recommend testing several diffusion materials and fill placements before a shoot, allowing you to see the immediate effect in the monitor. Quick swaps between white fabric and transparent plastic diffusers can reveal subtle differences that best suit your subject’s features and skin tones.
Overhead LED lighting offers unique challenges, but practical experimentation will reveal solutions that elevate your visual storytelling. Document what works in each scenario, as these discoveries build your personal lighting toolkit for future productions.
MASTER YOUR LIGHTING, STAND OUT ON SCREEN
Taming the harsh shadows and flatness caused by overhead LED fixtures is vital for professional video production. By using diffusion, strategic light placement, effective fill lights, and advanced modifiers, you’ll turn unflattering top light into a storytelling advantage. Testing gels or filters helps you create mood and consistency, whether you’re shooting a documentary or an ad. Remember, every adjustment shapes the viewer’s emotional response and perception of quality. The more you experiment with these strategies, the more confident you’ll become at creating dynamic, flattering visuals in any overhead LED environment.
Mastering the use of overhead LED lights can significantly improve your video production quality. Implement the techniques outlined to enhance your lighting setups and achieve visually stunning results.
