Back Light for YouTube: Where to Put It (Without Glare and Halos)

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Back Light vs Background Light for YouTube: What’s the Difference (and Which Do You Need)? (UK)

Once you’ve got a key light, you start noticing the next problem:

Your background looks flat, you blend into it, and the whole shot feels a bit… “webcam”.

That’s when creators hear about “back lights”, “hair lights”, “rim lights” and “background lighting” — and it quickly turns into a gear rabbit hole.

This guide keeps it simple:

• What a back light is
• What a background light is
• Which one to add first
• How to place it so it looks good (not like a halo)

Quick answer

A back light (hair/rim light) hits you from behind to create an outline and separate you from the background. A background light lights the scene behind you (often a lamp or subtle LED) to create depth. For most YouTubers, a background light is the easiest, most natural-looking first upgrade. A back light is worth adding when you want a more controlled studio look and you can keep it subtle.

The 60-second decision tree

Back light vs background light (plain English)

Light	What it does	What it’s best for	What it can mess up
Back light (hair/rim light)	Hits you from behind to create a bright edge	Clean separation in controlled studio-style setups	Halos, glare, shiny shoulders, “over-produced” look
Background light	Lights the background (or adds a practical lamp)	Depth, warmth, a more intentional scene	Distracting hotspots if too bright or aimed badly

Most YouTubers want depth. A background light often gives depth with less fuss and less “studio glare”.

Which one should you add first?

Here’s the simplest upgrade order that works for most creators:

Goal	Add first	Why
Make the shot look less flat	Background light	Creates depth, looks natural, works in small rooms
Reduce harsh facial shadows	Reflector / fill	Softens face lighting without killing depth
Studio-style separation edge	Back light	Gives a defined rim but needs careful control

This connects directly with the two-light vs three-point decision post:

• Two-light setup vs three-point lighting (YouTube)

Back light placement (no halos, no glare)

A back light should be subtle. If it’s obvious, it’s usually too bright.

Placement baseline:

• Behind you and slightly to the side
• Higher than your head (aimed down gently)
• Aimed at shoulders/hairline — not your face

Brightness rule: it should be a gentle edge, not a bright outline.

Halo fix checklist:

• Dim it
• Move it further back
• Aim it lower (shoulders rather than crown)
• Feather it so it “skims” rather than blasts

Background light placement (looks natural, not distracting)

A background light is usually easiest when it’s a practical (a lamp in shot) or a subtle LED aimed at part of the background.

Placement tips:

• Put a lamp behind you and off to one side (not directly behind your head)
• Keep it dim enough that it doesn’t steal attention
• Aim background LEDs at the wall indirectly (soft pools of light look better than harsh circles)
• If your wall is very close, keep the light low-power and closer to the wall than to you

Good goal: your face is still the brightest thing. The background just has shape and depth.

Small room tips (avoid creating new problems)

Small rooms are where creators most often regret adding a back light. The light ends up too close and too bright, which creates glare or weird shadows.

Small room best practice: background practical first, back light later (if at all).

If you’re fighting wall shadows, read this first:

• Stop shadows on the wall behind you

Common mistakes (and the fix)

Mistake	What it causes	Fix
Back light too bright	Halo / shiny outline	Dim it, move it back, aim at shoulders
Background light aimed straight at wall	Harsh hotspot circle	Bounce it or feather it; reduce power
Light directly behind your head	Distracting “glow” halo	Move it to the side so it adds depth, not a target
Mixing warm lamp + cool key light	Odd skin tones	Keep key light dominant; keep background subtle
Trying to solve everything with separation	Still looks “off”	Fix key light placement first

What not to do

• Don’t add a back light before your key light is correct. You’ll highlight the wrong problems.
• Don’t run a back light brighter than your key. Your face should stay the focus.
• Don’t aim lights directly into the lens. Glare and washed-out contrast follows.
• Don’t create a bright hotspot on the background. Subtle pools of light look more “intentional”.
• Don’t increase setup friction if consistency is your bottleneck. A simple two-light setup is often the best long-term choice.

Who this is not for

• Creators doing cinematic motivated lighting with multiple practicals and scene lighting
• Studio setups with overhead rigs and controlled environments
• People filming large group shots (different lighting needs)

Gear links

Start here for gear picks and bundles:

• Creator Gear hub

Lighting cluster (where this post plugs in):

• Key light placement
• Two-light vs three-point
• Fill light vs reflector
• Stop wall shadows
• Lighting setup for small rooms

If you want Amazon UK searches (tagged so the session is credited):

• Amazon UK: small background lamps
• Amazon UK: RGB lights for background
• Amazon UK: small LED panels
• Amazon UK: light stands
• Amazon UK: clip-on video lights

Related reading (internal only)

• Two-light setup vs three-point lighting
• Fill light vs reflector
• Key light placement
• Stop wall shadows
• Lighting setup for small rooms
• Ring light vs softbox vs LED panel

FAQs (People Also Ask style)

What’s the difference between a back light and a background light?

A back light (hair/rim light) lights you from behind to create an outline. A background light lights the scene behind you (often a lamp or subtle LED) to create depth.

Do I need a back light for YouTube?

Not usually. Many creators get better results by adding a subtle background practical first. A back light is useful if you want a more controlled studio look.

What’s the best way to separate yourself from the background?

Move away from the wall and add a subtle background light (lamp/LED). Keep your face brightest in frame.

Where should I place a back light?

Behind you and slightly to the side, higher than head height, aimed at your shoulders/hairline, and kept subtle.

Why does my back light look like a halo?

It’s too bright, too close, or aimed at the top of your head. Dim it, move it back, and aim lower at shoulders.

Is a lamp a background light?

Yes. A lamp in the background is often the easiest, most natural-looking background light for YouTube.

Can I use RGB lights as a background light?

Yes, but keep it subtle. Over-saturated backgrounds can distract and look gimmicky if overdone.

Will background lighting fix wall shadows?

Not directly. Wall shadows are mainly a placement and distance problem. Background lighting helps depth, not shadow removal.

Should the background be brighter than my face?

Usually no. Your face should stay the brightest thing in frame. Background lighting should add depth, not steal attention.

What should I add after a key light: fill, back light, or background light?

Most creators do best with fill (reflector) if shadows are harsh, or a background light if the shot looks flat. Back lights are optional and should be subtle.