How to Use an 800W Fluorescent Umbrella Kit for Interviews

By ephotoinc | Published: 2026-10-29

Category: How-to Guides

Learn how to set up and use an 800W fluorescent umbrella lighting kit for professional-looking interview videos with soft, even light.

Quick Answer

Use an 800W fluorescent umbrella kit with two lights at 45-degree angles to your subject for soft, shadow-free interview lighting. Position the lights slightly above eye level and adjust the umbrella distance to control contrast.

Why Use Umbrellas for Interview Lighting

Umbrellas soften the harsh light from fluorescent bulbs, creating a flattering, even look that reduces shadows on your subject's face. This is especially important for interviews where you want the viewer to focus on the person, not the lighting.

The 800W output provides enough brightness for most indoor settings without overheating the room, making it a practical choice for longer recording sessions.

Common Trade-Offs with Fluorescent Umbrella Kits

Fluorescent bulbs take a few seconds to reach full brightness, so wait before adjusting your camera settings. They also have a fixed color temperature (typically 5500K), which works well with daylight but may require white balance adjustment under mixed lighting.

Umbrellas are less directional than softboxes, meaning some light spills into the room. This is usually fine for interviews but can be a limitation if you need tight control over the light spread.

Step-by-Step Setup for Interview Lighting

1. Position the Lights: Place each light about 45 degrees to the left and right of your subject, pointing toward them. Keep the stands at least 3–4 feet away to avoid harsh shadows. Check that the umbrellas are fully opened and the bulbs are facing into the umbrella, not directly at the subject.
2. Set the Height: Raise the light stands so the center of the umbrella is slightly above your subject's eye level (about 6–12 inches higher). This creates natural-looking shadows under the chin and nose. If the light is too low, it will cast unflattering upward shadows. If too high, you may get dark eye sockets.
3. Adjust the Umbrella Distance: Move the umbrella closer to the subject for softer light (more wrap-around) or farther away for more contrast. Start with the umbrella about 2–3 feet from the subject. Closer umbrellas mean softer light but also a narrower area of coverage. For a two-person interview, pull them back slightly.
4. Turn On and Wait: Switch on both lights and wait 30–60 seconds for the fluorescent bulbs to reach full brightness. Then set your camera's white balance to 5500K or do a custom white balance using a gray card. Do not judge the exposure until the bulbs are fully warmed up, or you may end up with underexposed footage.
5. Check for Hot Spots and Shadows: Look at your subject's face from the camera position. If one side is too bright, move that light farther away or rotate the umbrella to diffuse more. If there are harsh shadows, bring the opposite light closer. A common mistake is leaving both lights at the same distance, which can create flat lighting. Slightly unequal distances add depth.
6. Test with Your Subject: Have your subject sit in the interview position and record a short test clip. Check for unwanted reflections on glasses, shiny skin, or uneven light on the background. If glasses reflect the umbrella, raise the lights higher or tilt the umbrellas downward slightly.

Product Facts

800 Watt Photography Studio Umbrella Cool Fluorescent Continuous Lighting Kit Set- 2 Light Stands & 2 Bulbs & 2 light holders & 2 umbrellas by ePhoto INC DK105: Includes 2 x 105W daylight 5500K bulbs, 2 x 32" translucent umbrellas, and 2 x 6.5 ft light stands. The 5500K bulbs match daylight, so you can mix with window light without color casts, and the 32" umbrellas are large enough to soften light for a head-and-shoulders interview.
800 Watt Photography Studio Umbrella Cool Fluorescent Continuous Lighting Kit Set- 2 Light Stands & 2 Bulbs & 2 light holders & 2 umbrellas by ePhoto INC DK105