Ever see a photo or video that just *pops*? The subject looks amazing, and the shadows are just right? Chances are, they used a 3-point lighting setup. This simple technique is the secret sauce for great visuals, whether you’re filming a YouTube video, taking portraits, or shooting product shots.
But let’s be honest: picking out a 3-point lighting kit can feel like navigating a maze. Which light is the key light? What’s the fill light for? Do you need softboxes or umbrellas? It’s easy to get overwhelmed by technical jargon and confusing product specs, leaving you unsure if you’re buying the right gear to finally make your content look professional.
Don’t worry! This post cuts through the confusion. We will break down exactly what a 3-point lighting kit is, explain the role of each light simply, and give you clear advice on what features truly matter for your budget and goals. Get ready to stop guessing and start lighting like a pro!
Top 3 Point Lighting Kit Recommendations
- Complete Studio Setup: The kit contains 2pcs 20" x 28"/50cm x 70cm Softbox +1pc 28'' /70cm Octa Softbox+ 3pcs 85W 2700-6400K 100V-240V LED Light Bulb+3pcs Remote + 3pcs 79"/200cm 4-Leg Heavy-Duty Light Stand+1pc Boom +1pc Oxford Cloth Carrying Bag for versatile photography and video studio lighting needs.
- Upgraded 4-legged Stand: In order to better solve the instability caused by the tripod, Skytex has been upgraded from a tripod to a four-legged stand. Compared with the traditional tripod, the force point and area of the four-legged stand in contact with the ground will be more stable, and photo back drop stand tube size has also been upgraded to withstand greater gravity. The 4-legged Stand height adjustable from 26 to 79 inch/66cm to 200cm.
- Turned Your Room Into Photo Boot: It can soften the harsh light source and remove shadow, enhance the skin tone in portrait photography is to make perfect shooting. Silver internal face to minimize light loss and maximize light spread.
- Updated LED Bulbs: 3-Color dimmable led bulbs with diffuser built-in, color temperature 2700-6400K and brightness 1-100% adjustable via remote control.
- Angle can be 210°adjustable lamp holder, which can suit for different perfect shooting with 1/4-inch Standard Screw Thread Tip. And with extra-long 11.5Ft/350cm cable, greater range of movement convenient for shooting photography.
- 【MULTIPLE-USE LED LIGHTING SET】 The small LED panel light (5.73×3.78 inches/14.5× 9.6 centimeters) can be 180 degree adjustable, meeting your different demands on suitable shooting angle; Designed with convenient USB plug, you can plug it in your desktop PC, mobile power, charging plug or your USB socket at any time you want
- 【 LED Bulbs & USB Powered 】 70 pcs energy-saving lamp beads, CRI98+, 1000lm, 5600k°(white light effect) ， if with different filter on, provide superior lighting for different shooting need. Designed with convenient USB plug, you can plug it in your desktop PC, mobile power, charging plug or your USB socket at any time you want. Use with 5V，2A power charger will get superior brightness effect.
- 【 9 Color Filters and Cable Control Brightness Levels】Red/Blue/Gray/Yellow/Orange/Pink/Green/Purple/White Color filters creates various shooting scenes need. Cable controls 10%~100% Brightness Levels Options. Button UP&DOWN easily meet your shooting occasion need. White Diffuser inside the light panel efficiently reflect the light in all directions should be insert first.
- 【Entertainment & Artistic Creations Tool】Portrait shot and wedding lighting, photography camera, film shooting, video & party, Lighting for product display. Macro shooting for still lives, animals and plants. Necessary equipment for stylish scenes creations for Youtube podcast, live stream, gaming.
- 【Adjustable Height & 180° Rotate Angles】Tripod can be directly connected to light panel and be extended from 27.19’’ (69 centimeters) to 48.39’’ (122 centimeters) bring Low and Up light. With a Cold Shoe Ball Head, light panel can be 180°rotatable.Adjust angles of display according to your needs.
- OUTPUT FUNCTIONS: The first mode is where the color temperature is between 3200K and 5600K. The second mode that allows you to adjust the hue output and color saturation of red, green, and blue from 0% to 100%. which means you can quickly match the current environment with a knob
- FEATURES: The kit comes with an LCD digital display, multiple control modes, stability system, and 360-degree rotating U-bracket to improve your lighting settings. The step-less adjustment is used to control the brightness/color temperature which brings great convenience to your shooting
- CONSTRUCTON: This video light adopts the American chip and has a lifespan of more than 100,000 hours. It is designed with an aerospace aluminum alloy shell to effectively help the LED light to better dissipate heat
- CONTROL FUNCTION: The video light is equipped with the mobile app control function, download the GVM app from app stores (Apple Store/ Google Play) and control the exact color and temperature you need for video recording
- VERSATILE: Enrich your shooting environment, including TV, candle, police car, lightning, Paparazzi, disco, party, bad light bulb with the GVM 800D-RGB LED Studio 3-Video Light Kit
- High-quality studio set: The nylon reflector with embossed stone pattern minimizes the loss of light and maximizes the distribution of light to further enhance the reflection of light; the photo light softbox can diffuse the light, provide ultimate soft light beam and remove shadows to make perfect shots; in addition it will reduce overhead and hot spots to take your best shots
- Adjustable Stand & Rotatable Head: With a 210 degree rotatable head, you can literally get the good shot every single time. The stands are adjustable. They can be as short as 27” or as tall as 78”
- Photographic Partner: The softbox set is a set of photo studio lighting kit that can create a great light effect, best choice for photographers enthusiasts, beginners, semi-professionals and professional photographers, perfect for studio portraits, advertising products, photography, wedding photos, product photography, video recordings, etc.
- Item Includes: 3X softbox with 78in stands, 3X 135w bulbs, 3X light diffusing shades, 1X boom arm, 1X sand Bag, 1X Huge bag to store entire set
- Professional Studio Photography Light & Softbox Kit: Including 3 * LED lights, 3 * softboxes, 3 * light stands, 3 * remote controls, 1 * boom arm and 1 * carry, the photography light kit is perfect for home/studio video recording, live streaming, makeup, portrait and product photography, fashion photo taking, children's photo shooting, etc.
- High-quality LED Light: The LED light with 140pcs high-quality beads supports 85W power output and 80% energy saving compared with other similar light; and 3 lighting modes(cold light, cold + warm light, warm light), 2800K-5700K bi-color temperature and 1%-100% adjustable brightness can meet all your lighting needs of different photography scenarios.
- Large Flexible Softbox: 50 * 70cm/ 20 * 28in large softbox with white diffuser cloth provides you with perfect even lighting; with E27 socket for direct installation of LED light; and the softbox can 210° rotate to let you have optimal light angles, making your photos and videos more professional.
- Adjustable Metal Light Stand: The light stand is made of premium aluminum alloy, and can extend from 68-200cm/26-78in; stable 3-leg design and the solid locking system make it safe and reliable to use.
- Convenient Remote Control: Comes with remote controls, you can turn on/off the light and adjust the brightness & color temperature form a certain distance. No need to move anymore when you want to adjust the light during shooting, saving both time and effort.
- 2x SOFTBOX REFLECTOR 24 X 24 inch softbox with white diffuser for eliminating shadow and softening light stream; made of black nylon cloth with highly reflective silver internal face inside to direct the light toward the object
- 2x PHOTOGRAPHY WHITE PHOTO UMBRELLA 33inch premium quality nylon cloth diffuse studio lighting toward objects and eliminate or soften shadow to provide a better environment for product photos taking, video making, portrait shooting, and broadcasting
- 4x SLEEK SHAPE LAMP HOLDER has better shape for holding when adjusting angle for photography lighting; PA material for its durability; free-resistant E26/E27 socket for safety; umbrella hole design using springs to hold the stick faster than others
- 1x GREEN SCREEN BACKDROP KIT 6.7ft background support stands with crossbars adjustable from 4.4 to 6.7ft wide; portable, lightweight, but sturdy: larger tube diameter crossbars; using photography lighting kit with backdrop for photoshoot
- 4x PHOTOGRAPHY LIGHTING BULB 30W high efficiency daylight LED studio lights for photography; lighting lifting brightness; attached to E26/E27 socket of lamp holder; high CRl keeping original color of object in you photo or video
- 【Excellent Soft box with Wide Coverage】Soft box’s inner nylon reflector surface make the light much brighter, while its removable white diffuser made of premium PET fabric can eliminate shadows and make light softer and more uniform, giving you a best shooting experience. Its sturdy locking system make the soft box stable on the tripod during use.
- 【Energy Efficient Bulbs】Torjim soft box photography lighting kit adopts 2 x 85 W energy saving light bulbs (service life of about 6000 hours), saving energy up to 80%. Its 7500K color temperature produces balanced pure white daylight and continuous uniform light, and its low working temperature ensures that it will not get hot, providing an ideal photography environment.
- 【Adjust the Soft box & Tripod Stand As You Like】The soft box has a 210° rotatable head which enables you to adjust its position freely, and the tripod stand’s height can be adjusted from 27” to 74.5” easily, you can choose your desired tripod height. The 1/4 standard screw on the top of the tripod enables you to install other devices to it such as a ring light, projector and etc.
- 【Durable & Portable Lighting Kit for Multiple Applications】The tripod stand is made of premium aluminum alloy material, and its carrying bag included is convenient for carrying it around. Easy setup in minutes. This lighting kit is ideal for portrait shooting, live streaming, video fill light, fashion shooting, advertising shooting and so on.
- 【What You’ll Get】You’ll get 2 x soft boxes (27”x27”), 2 x height adjustable tripod stands (Max. height: 74.5”), 2 x E26 7500K 85W light bulbs, 1 x carrying bag, 1 x instruction manual and our 12-month warranty for this lighting kit, together with our professional and hassle-free after-sale services.
- The kit included: 2pcs 20" x 28"/50cm x 70cm Softbox +2pcs 85W 2700-6400K 100V-240V LED Light Bulb + 2pcs 79"/200cm Aluminum Alloy Light Stand + 2pcs Remote Control + 1pcs Oxford Cloth Carrying Bag.
- Updated LED Bulbs: 3-Color dimmable led bulbs with diffuser built-in, color temperature 2700-6400K and brightness 1-100% adjustable via remote control.
- Remote Control& Easy to Operate: Turn on/ off the light and adjust the brightness and color temperature of the softbox lighting by remote control(The remote control is not equipped with battery, please buy it yourself). Durable Oxford cloth tote to accommodate softbox kits, Highly portable and lightweight to carry.
- Rotatable Head & Adjustable Stand: The light stand tripod height adjustable from 26 to 79 inch/66cm to 200cm, 3-section column legs, made of aluminum alloy more sturdy and stable. Angle can be 210°adjustable lamp holder, which can suit for different perfect shooting with 1/4-inch Standard Screw Thread Tip. And with extra-long 8.5Ft/250cm cable,greater range of movement convenient for shooting photography.
- Dimmable Tricolor Light & Suitable for Various Photography: Compared to incandescent lamps, led bulbs can provide natural light, but also warm and cool light. Different color temperatures are used for a wider range of scenarios. This professional kit is great for home studio lighting, portrait, product photography, pet, still photography, live, gaming streaming, video recording, interview, Youtube..etc.
The Essential Buying Guide for Your 3-Point Lighting Kit
A 3-point lighting kit is a powerful tool. It helps you create professional-looking photos and videos. This guide will help you pick the best kit for your needs.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping, focus on these important features. They make a big difference in how your lights work.
Light Source Type
- LED Lights: These are the best choice today. They use less power and stay cool. Good LED kits last a very long time.
- Fluorescent Lights: These lights are older. They can get hot and use more electricity.
Brightness Control (Dimming)
You must be able to change how bright your lights are. Look for kits with dimmers on each light. This lets you perfectly balance the light for your shots.
Color Temperature Control
Color temperature is how warm (yellow) or cool (blue) the light looks. Most professional kits offer adjustable color temperature (usually between 3200K and 5600K). This helps your light match the room or look natural.
Power Options
Check how the lights get power. Do they use wall plugs (AC power)? Can they use batteries for filming outside? Battery power adds great flexibility.
Important Materials and Build Quality
The materials used show how long the kit will last.
Light Housing
Look for sturdy metal or high-quality, durable plastic housings. Cheap plastic breaks easily when you move the lights around.
Light Modifiers
These change how the light spreads. Good kits include softboxes or umbrellas. These modifiers should have strong frames and good diffusion fabric. The fabric should spread light softly, not just block it.
Stands
The stands hold your lights up. They must be strong and stable. Look for metal stands with wide bases. Wobbly stands are dangerous and frustrating.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
What makes a kit great or just okay?
Quality Factors (Improve Quality)
- High Color Rendering Index (CRI): A CRI of 90 or higher means the colors look true to life. This is vital for skin tones.
- Even Light Spread: The light should spread smoothly across your subject without harsh hot spots. Good diffusion materials help achieve this.
- Quiet Operation: If your lights have fans, ensure they are very quiet. Loud fans ruin your audio recordings.
Quality Reducers (Reduce Quality)
- Flicker: Cheap power supplies can cause the lights to flicker on camera. Always test if possible.
- Heavy Weight: While sturdy materials are good, overly heavy lights are hard to transport and adjust.
- Proprietary Bulbs: If the kit uses special bulbs you cannot easily replace, it reduces the kit’s long-term value.
User Experience and Use Cases
Think about where and how you plan to use the kit.
Ease of Setup
A good kit sets up quickly. You should be able to attach the lights to the stands and put the softboxes on without needing a tool kit.
Portability
If you travel, choose a compact kit that fits into a carrying bag. Battery power options greatly improve portability for on-location shooting.
Common Use Cases
- Vlogging/Streaming: A simple 2-light setup (Key and Fill) from a 3-point kit works perfectly for web cameras.
- Product Photography: You use the third light (Backlight/Hair Light) to separate the product from the background.
- Interviews: 3-point lighting gives interviews a professional, three-dimensional look.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What are the three points in a 3-point lighting kit?
A: The three points are the Key Light (main light), the Fill Light (softens shadows), and the Back Light or Hair Light (separates the subject from the background).
Q: Do I need a 3-point kit for every video?
A: No. For simple web videos or streaming, sometimes just one or two lights are enough. Three points give you the most control and professional look.
Q: How bright should the lights be?
A: Brightness depends on your camera settings. Look for kits rated in Lumens or with high Wattage (for LEDs). Adjustability (dimming) is more important than maximum brightness.
Q: What is the difference between a softbox and an umbrella?
A: A softbox has a reflective interior and diffusion front panel, creating a very controlled, soft light. An umbrella bounces the light back toward the subject, offering a wider, slightly less controlled spread.
Q: Are expensive kits always better?
A: Not always, but better materials cost more. Mid-range kits usually offer a great balance of LED quality, sturdy stands, and good diffusion without the highest price tag.
Q: Can I add a fourth light later?
A: Yes. Many people add a background light or a practical light (a light that appears in the scene, like a desk lamp) to a basic 3-point setup later on.
Q: How do I set the Key Light angle?
A: Position the Key Light about 45 degrees to one side of the camera and slightly above eye level. This creates pleasing shadows that give depth to the face.
Q: Should I buy continuous lights or speedlights?
A: For beginners and video work, buy continuous lights (like those in these kits). They stay on, so you see the lighting effect instantly. Speedlights (flash) are for still photography only.
Q: What if the lights get too yellow or too blue?
A: If your kit has adjustable color temperature, you can match it to your ambient room light. If it doesn’t, you must use gels (colored plastic sheets) to correct the color.
Q: How important is the carrying case?
A: It is very important for organization and protection. A hard-shell case or a well-padded bag protects your investment when you move your gear.