You Only Need ONE Light to Create Cinematic Lighting
Alex Zarfati
37,574 views
Check out the Aputure lights used in the video: http://bit.ly/3ZMab02
My Filmmaking Course: https://www.featurefilmmaker.co/
Get 20% off (My Company) Film Vibes: https://filmvibes.io/?ref_id=ALEXZ
This video was graded with my cinema Luts: https://www.alexzarfati.com/luts
Most filmmakers think cinematic lighting requires big setups, multiple fixtures, and expensive gear.
The truth is, one well-placed light can create an incredible range of cinematic looks — if you understand how to shape it. In this breakdown, I walk through 8 distinct cinematic lighting setups using just ONE light, showing:
How light direction changes mood
How contrast creates depth
How motivation sells realism
How exposure and falloff control emotion
This isn’t about hacks or presets — it’s about learning the visual language of light, so you can create cinematic images in any location, on any budget.
Whether you’re shooting narrative films, short films, or cinematic YouTube content, these principles will help you stop relying on gear and start relying on craft.
My favorite lens: https://amzn.to/3CCR7X1
My Favorite Light: https://amzn.to/44kYvke
My Camera Bodies Ursa 12K https://amzn.to/3AyXpnT
Bmpcc 6K Pro https://amzn.to/3TuW7Do
My Lenses
Sigma lens 24-70mm https://amzn.to/4433N4a
Sigma lens 50mm https://amzn.to/3CCR7X1
Sigma lens 24mm https://amzn.to/3RmYl5R
Sigma lens 50-100mm https://amzn.to/3PTUpIF
My Drone Mavic Pro 3 https://amzn.to/3RFP3nU
My Audio Gear Rode NTG3 https://amzn.to/3RHWefc
Cheaper Lav System https://amzn.to/3zjaB3y
Better Lav System https://amzn.to/4evX1Kh
Zoom Recorder https://amzn.to/3CHmC2q
Patch Cable https://amzn.to/3R4a1uy
Get this for Rodelink lav set https://amzn.to/3pSyO8H
Boom Pole Holder https://amzn.to/45GGr6h
Boom Pole clamp https://amzn.to/3wFwoy8
Best on Camera Monitor https://amzn.to/3RF1mkg
Feelworld Monitor https://amzn.to/3PZLa9C
SDI Cable https://amzn.to/3R16cWV
HDMI Cable https://amzn.to/3pVpzoo
My Lights GVM 650B: https://amzn.to/44kYvke
Amaran 300C https://amzn.to/4ax1Gtq
Aputure 300D II https://amzn.to/3RfaXeY
Aputure Mini Lights https://amzn.to/3RlUDte
Nanlite Projector mount https://amzn.to/44BAxTd
Aputure light dome https://amzn.to/3cxC3zs
Aputure light dome Mini https://amzn.to/3ATJIl1
Tripods and C-stands
Tripod Small rig https://amzn.to/3Nbf5MJ
Tripod https://amzn.to/3AtMRXn
Cheap C-stand https://amzn.to/3PYuYWq
Better C-stand https://amzn.to/3Rvw4d8
Accessories
Ursa sticky circles for lav https://amzn.to/3Ax6Iov
Sandbags https://amzn.to/3e6Fzky
Clamps https://amzn.to/3QYSZxS
Gaff Tape https://amzn.to/3wETbdo
Painters Tape https://amzn.to/3wHAQMN
Tool Set https://amzn.to/3AwYLQ9
Contents of this Video
00:00 - Intro
00:40 - The light that we are using
00:51 - Cinematic Lighting 01
01:35 - Cinematic Lighting 02
02:55 - Cinematic Lighting 03
05:13 - Cinematic Lighting 04
05:47 - Cinematic Lighting 05
06:25 - Cinematic Lighting 06
07:24 - Cinematic Lighting 07
08:12 - Cinematic Lighting 08
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases #commisionsearned #aputurepartner @aputure.lighting
20 Comments
I’m a passionate upcoming filmmaker and content creator trying to grow with very limited resources. If anyone out there has old camera gear, lenses, lighting, or any film equipment you’re no longer using, I would truly appreciate it if you could consider donating or passing it on.
It would mean a lot and help me keep pushing my dreams forward. Thank you so much for your kindness and support 🙏
You Only Need ONE Light to Create Cinematic Lighting
Alex Zarfati
37,574 views
Check out the Aputure lights used in the video: http://bit.ly/3ZMab02
My Filmmaking Course: https://www.featurefilmmaker.co/
Get 20% off (My Company) Film Vibes: https://filmvibes.io/?ref_id=ALEXZ
This video was graded with my cinema Luts: https://www.alexzarfati.com/luts
Most filmmakers think cinematic lighting requires big setups, multiple fixtures, and expensive gear.
The truth is, one well-placed light can create an incredible range of cinematic looks — if you understand how to shape it. In this breakdown, I walk through 8 distinct cinematic lighting setups using just ONE light, showing:
How light direction changes mood
How contrast creates depth
How motivation sells realism
How exposure and falloff control emotion
This isn’t about hacks or presets — it’s about learning the visual language of light, so you can create cinematic images in any location, on any budget.
Whether you’re shooting narrative films, short films, or cinematic YouTube content, these principles will help you stop relying on gear and start relying on craft.
My favorite lens: https://amzn.to/3CCR7X1
My Favorite Light: https://amzn.to/44kYvke
My Camera Bodies Ursa 12K https://amzn.to/3AyXpnT
Bmpcc 6K Pro https://amzn.to/3TuW7Do
My Lenses
Sigma lens 24-70mm https://amzn.to/4433N4a
Sigma lens 50mm https://amzn.to/3CCR7X1
Sigma lens 24mm https://amzn.to/3RmYl5R
Sigma lens 50-100mm https://amzn.to/3PTUpIF
My Drone Mavic Pro 3 https://amzn.to/3RFP3nU
My Audio Gear Rode NTG3 https://amzn.to/3RHWefc
Cheaper Lav System https://amzn.to/3zjaB3y
Better Lav System https://amzn.to/4evX1Kh
Zoom Recorder https://amzn.to/3CHmC2q
Patch Cable https://amzn.to/3R4a1uy
Get this for Rodelink lav set https://amzn.to/3pSyO8H
Boom Pole Holder https://amzn.to/45GGr6h
Boom Pole clamp https://amzn.to/3wFwoy8
Best on Camera Monitor https://amzn.to/3RF1mkg
Feelworld Monitor https://amzn.to/3PZLa9C
SDI Cable https://amzn.to/3R16cWV
HDMI Cable https://amzn.to/3pVpzoo
My Lights GVM 650B: https://amzn.to/44kYvke
Amaran 300C https://amzn.to/4ax1Gtq
Aputure 300D II https://amzn.to/3RfaXeY
Aputure Mini Lights https://amzn.to/3RlUDte
Nanlite Projector mount https://amzn.to/44BAxTd
Aputure light dome https://amzn.to/3cxC3zs
Aputure light dome Mini https://amzn.to/3ATJIl1
Tripods and C-stands
Tripod Small rig https://amzn.to/3Nbf5MJ
Tripod https://amzn.to/3AtMRXn
Cheap C-stand https://amzn.to/3PYuYWq
Better C-stand https://amzn.to/3Rvw4d8
Accessories
Ursa sticky circles for lav https://amzn.to/3Ax6Iov
Sandbags https://amzn.to/3e6Fzky
Clamps https://amzn.to/3QYSZxS
Gaff Tape https://amzn.to/3wETbdo
Painters Tape https://amzn.to/3wHAQMN
Tool Set https://amzn.to/3AwYLQ9
Contents of this Video
00:00 - Intro
00:40 - The light that we are using
00:51 - Cinematic Lighting 01
01:35 - Cinematic Lighting 02
02:55 - Cinematic Lighting 03
05:13 - Cinematic Lighting 04
05:47 - Cinematic Lighting 05
06:25 - Cinematic Lighting 06
07:24 - Cinematic Lighting 07
08:12 - Cinematic Lighting 08
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases #commisionsearned #aputurepartner @aputure.lighting
My Filmmaking Course: https://www.featurefilmmaker.co/
Get 20% off (My Company) Film Vibes: https://filmvibes.io/?ref_id=ALEXZ
This video was graded with my cinema Luts: https://www.alexzarfati.com/luts