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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