Tired of getting garbage assets from creators? Or unsure how to take better photos for your own thumbnails? This episode breaks down exactly what makes a good asset, how to communicate with clients, and the lighting setups that actually work. Whether you’re a designer or a YouTuber, this is the no-BS guide to getting thumbnails that pop.
TIMESTAMPS
(00:00) - How to Get Good Assets
(01:32) - Where to Find Assets
(02:11) - Why Lighting Matters
(03:04) - Communicating with Creators
(04:51) - Charging for Bad Assets
(05:00) - What Good Lighting Looks Like
(06:28) - Why Skin Needs Light
(07:47) - Ideal Lighting Setup
(08:58) - Using iPhones vs. Cameras
(10:15) - Lens Choice Matters
(11:07) - What MrBeast Does
(12:14) - Still Photos vs. Video Poses
(13:17) - 1080p vs. 4K for Thumbnails
(14:58) - Travel Shoots and Lighting Fixes
(16:38) - CRI Explained Simply
(17:53) - Why High-CRI Lights Matter
(19:17) - Take New Photos Every Time
(21:00) - Matching Outfits with AI
(22:19) - Getting Proper Hand Poses
(24:06) - Hands: DIY, Stock, or AI?
(24:38) - Fixing Low-Quality Screenshots
(26:00) - Mixing Real Faces with AI
(27:24) - Adding Objects with Generative Fill
(28:28) - Using 3D Stock Assets
(29:39) - Know Your Video Before Filming
(31:15) - Unique Product Shots Beat Stock
(32:41) - Outro and Course Info
Check out Thumbnail Academy: https://thumbnailacademy.com/
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