What are the most common lighting mistakes Paul Rogers identifies for content creators?

Hi, I’m Paul Rogers from thatcreativeceo. Love this question because lighting is where so many good videos go to die 😂

From my content, the three big lighting mistakes I call out are:

• Light too far away – makes your face look harsh and flat. Move the light closer for softer, more flattering light.
• Light too high – creates “raccoon eyes” (dark eye sockets). Drop the light to around eye level.
• No separation from the background – everything looks muddy. Add a small edge/hair light or a brighter background element to pop.

Fix these and your videos instantly look way more cinematic.

What setup are you using right now—phone + ring light, or something else?