How To Up Level Your Video Calls During the Shelter in Place
My friend Sarah texted me the other day saying I should write a blog about how to up level your Zoom, or other video conference call service, game. Now, I am going to preface this post by saying these aren’t official rules, just merely suggestions. If you want to have a video chat while in your PJ’s, in the basement of your house, lit only by your screen, eating queso, then more power to you!
I am sure looking your best on video calls may be a problem for a lot of us, especially since we currently cannot go into work. Here are a few tips and tricks to up level your video calls so you feel and look good while chatting with coworkers or family!
What To Wear
Lets be real. I will not be wearing anything other than my loungewear attire until the shelter in place has been lifted. This is not a part of my tips where I’m telling you that you have to dress up fancy or wear uncomfortable business clothes for your video call. Just wear something you feel good in! This is a tip I use for all of my sessions. If you wear something that makes you feel crummy or insecure, it will show in your body language. The same goes for these video calls. Wear something that makes you feel great, or even have fun with your wardrobe! Lex and I surprised my family the other day by rocking these outfits.
The Angle is Everything
It is tempting to sit on the couch with your laptop on a surface below eye level (your lap, a coffee table, etc.). During these calls the camera will be pointing up. For most of us, this causes a double chin and is an unflattering angle. Ever look at your phone and open your camera to have the selfie side open and scare yourself…with your own face? Yikes! If possible, have your camera slightly above you so you have to look up.. It will be a more direct, flattering angle.
Natural Light
Personally, I’m a fan of utilizing beautiful, natural light you have in your home. However, I realize not everyone has great natural light in their space! So for those of you who do, my biggest recommendation is for you to FACE the window. Not have it behind you. Also note, while facing the window make sure you are also in some shade. That may sound confusing, but the following photo shows me sitting toward a window, but the area I am sitting in is not in direct sunlight.
Do not sit directly in the sun patch, it will be hot, you will get a head ache, there will be lots of squinting, and your face will be over exposed. This is a photography term. It is referencing the blown out white spots on your face or clothes or background. This is a loss of information and not be repaired.
Again, the best place to sit is to face the window in the shade. If you can sit several feet away from the window to get the benefits of the natural light streaming in without over exposing your face or giving yourself a headache, that would be ideal. Keep in mind that the earth is spinning, so the sun will hit your space in different parts through out the day. You may have to adjust where you and your computer are set up to accommodate the changing environment. Late afternoon/early evening is some of the best light but you may be done working then!
Lastly, lets talk backlighting. Backlighting is when your background is brighter, causing you to be in a semi-shadow. While this may seem like an okay spot to set up, you (the focal point) should be the most well lit. After all, you want to to be the highlight, not objects in the background. This next example shows me sitting with backlighting. Not terrible, but it can better.
Artificial Lighting
I have a feeling this section will apply to a lot more people. Especially if you live in an apartment where there isn’t a lot of natural light or your office is darker. My biggest suggestion, if you really want to up level the quality of your video call, is to buy a selfie light or video light. These will guarantee that you have consistent, pretty light across your face no matter where you are sitting. Can’t get a selfie light or video light? Try using a lamp that is closer to the height of your laptop and you and place it behind your laptop. Just be aware of how bright your lamp may be. We don’t want you blinding yourself or making weird faces while you talk with your boss or grandfather. Be aware of light placement. Lighting from above is the lighting equivalent of the camera being too low. Sitting under overhead lighting will exaggerate shadows on your face, especially dark circles under your eyes. The first photo illuminates what overhead lighting can cause. The lights are hanging just above my head, accentuating the shadows on my face. The second photo still incorporates overhead lighting, but the lights are recessed in the ceiling above. The shadows are not as severe, however we can still do better.
I’m using a video light for this next photo and placing it just above my camera behind the laptop. Notice how the first photo uses the same camera position of the backlit scenario. By adding the video light behind the laptop, it allows me to evenly highlight my face, making me the primary focus even with a nicely lit background. It definitely helps make me look a little less tired ;) This will come in handy in pretty much any lighting situation. The second photos is an example of using this video light to illuminate an area that is fairly dark. Although my face is pretty bright I could adjust the severity by turning the video light brightness down or by moving it a bit further away.
Here are a few recommendations for lighting if you want to/can buy them. I know Amazon is prioritizing orders for things that are essential so nonessential items may take longer to get to you. But other places may be shipping quicker.
Light Cube - this one is specifically created to rest on your laptop for video chats.
Video Light - this is the light I used in my examples as well as the light we use when videoing weddings.
Clean Up Your Space
One simple way to help your video call look great is to make sure the space behind you is clean, or doesn't showcase anything in it you don’t want seen. Make the space behind you presentable or fun! Don’t leave clothes sitting out or wrappers left over from snacks.
Low Light
Sitting in a dark room is probably the worst thing you could do (other than going to the bathroom and forgetting the camera is still on). Low lighting makes the video quality look grainy. Not to mention, if you wanted to mess around with some green screen backdrops they are not going to work well. Or at all.
We have been using Zoom and FaceTime a lot over the last few weeks, playing games with friends virtually, chatting with family, making Quarantinis, or cooking gnocchi. Enjoy some of the fun photos I’ve taken during those chats and good luck with your next call :)
