5 clever tricks to look great on Zoom video calls
Zoom, and other video conferencing programs, make it easy to do your work from home. But no matter how much you get done in a day, it never feels good when you don’t look your best on camera.
In the pre-pandemic days, going to work meant putting yourself together to look presentable. Now, you might be able to get away with off-camera bunny slippers and pajama pants, but there’s no excuse for grainy or out-of-focus visuals. Tap or click here to see 9 other work-from-home mistakes you’re making.
Fortunately, looking good on camera isn’t hard once you know what you’re doing. Here are our favorite tried and tested ways to look your best on your video calls.
1. It’s all about lighting
Nothing is worse than having light behind or above you, while your camera points at your face. This has the effect of making your background brighter than you are and can make you look like an anonymous witness in a true-crime documentary.
To keep yourself looking fresh on camera, you need reliable, even lighting that your camera can easily pick up. Ring lights work best, and they’re used by video bloggers and YouTube celebrities the world over. There’s really no need for an expensive pro lighting rig.
This handy ring light from Yarrashop delivers natural-looking lighting in three different color temperatures. Play around and find the one that works best with your room, skin tone and camera. It even includes a built-in phone stand you can use for filming or stabilizing your shots.
For a bit more coin, you can upgrade to this ring light from AIXPI, which features an adjustable tripod that isn’t limited by the height of your desk.
If you want the most bang for your buck, this ring light kit from Neewer takes the cake. It has an adjustable tripod, wireless remote, color filters and an anchor for DSLR cameras to shoot from.
And for a finishing touch to perfect your lighting, make sure your screen’s brightness is only as high as it needs to be. Too bright of a screen is like shining a flashlight directly in your face, and you can bet the camera will pick up every last detail.
Pro tip: If your browser or programs are shining too much light, switch to dark mode. Instant filter!
2. Find your angle
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