Video conferencing has become a consistent part of our daily lives. Whether you’re a remote or hybrid worker, you likely communicate via video call frequently throughout the day. But it can be difficult to communicate effectively when you’re concerned about how you look during the meeting. We’ve all had a day where we felt confident about the way we looked—until we turned on the camera. If you’re wondering why you struggle to look your best during a video conference call, most of the time lighting is the problem. It’s the same reason why some pictures we take are worthy of sharing online, while others get immediately deleted. If you want to look your best on your next video call, it’s time to find lighting that works for you. And it doesn’t matter if you use a free conference service or a costly enterprise license — it still comes down to using lighting tips to look good on video.
Why does lighting matter?
The reality is our eyes respond to light differently than a camera does. This is why when it comes to pictures and videos, lighting is everything. Cameras simply aren’t capable of picking up the same amount of details as the human eye, which is why proper lighting is necessary to help the camera capture these details. But good lighting on its own doesn’t create a beautiful photograph—knowing how to use the light does. And while natural light might make you look better in your video call, you can’t always depend on having natural light available.
So if you want to look like a movie star on your next video call, you need to create the right kind of light in your office or work space. You don’t need to have the best equipment or most expensive setup to improve how you look, but you do need to be intentional about your lighting setup.
Is a ring light sufficient?
If you’ve spent any time reading about creating your own lighting, you might be influenced to purchase a ring light. A ring light is a circular light meant to provide uniform lighting for a picture or video. Ring lights can work well in certain situations and are used frequently by makeup artists or for macro photography. Many influencers on social media as well as other content creators and generally think the best video lights are ring lights. They think ring lights provide consistent lighting and reduce dark shadows. The good thing about ring lights is they are relatively affordable and versatile.
The question of whether a ring light is sufficient depends on your needs. If you want to really step up your game, a ring light by itself isn’t going to cut it. Using more diverse lighting might be a better choice for you if you want to significantly improve your lighting. But a ring light certainly can improve the quality of your video if it’s what you have available.
Best types of lighting for a video call
More than anything, it’s important to have consistent lighting and avoid dark shadows when setting up for your video call. But how do you achieve this in your lighting setup? There are different types of lighting you can use if you want to look your best. Two of those lighting types are two point and three point lighting.
Two point lighting
Two point lighting is a great way to look your best on screen. With this type of lighting, you use a key light on one side and a fill light on the other. This prevents you from being in the dark and avoids blowing out the background.
Two point lighting works best if your key light is brighter than your fill light. The concept of two point lighting can still be used if one of your light sources is natural light, such as a window. For example, if you have a large window available, place yourself at a 45 degree angle from the window and place a lamp or other light source on the other side of your desk to act as the fill light.
Three point lighting
If you really want to improve how you look on camera, give three point lighting a try. Three point lighting means you have two lights angled towards you just like in two point lighting, but you also have an additional third light angled behind you. Three point lighting creates a very balanced effect with the lights and is often used in video productions.
While the fill light eliminates any dark shadows cast by the main light source, the back light casts a halo around you and separates you from the background.
Tips for improving your looks during a conference
Even if you don’t have expensive equipment, you can use what you have available to improve the video quality and the way you look on a video call. Even minor changes in your lighting such as the positioning of the camera can make a significant difference. Here are some tips on improving the quality of your video call with lighting:
Avoid too much back light
- If there is a bright light behind you that would interfere with the lighting in your video, move your position. For example, if there’s a giant window behind you, position the window in front of you instead of placing your desk in front of the window. This will keep you from looking like a shadowy figure on camera.
Use what you have
- Two point or three point lighting is a great way to improve your video quality. But if you only have one light available, position it behind your camera or computer. If you don’t have a designated movable light, think about the positioning of the light you do have in the room. So if the only light available is on the ceiling fixture, position yourself so that the light is in front of you and behind the camera or computer if possible.
Choose your colors wisely
- What colors you’re wearing are actually going to make a difference on how the light reflects off of you. In order to avoid looking washed out; choose darker colored clothing while you’re on a video call.
Use warmer light
- Harsh lighting isn’t a good look for anyone and generally creates dark shadows on your face. Doing something simple like switching out your light bulbs for warmer light can make a big difference in how you appear on screen. Warmer lighting creates a balancing effect and eliminates dark shadows.
You might think you need expensive lights or equipment to improve your video quality, but the good news is, even a few minor changes can make a big difference. There are many barriers to proper lighting, but life is too short to look bad on video calls. Be intentional about simple changes to your lighting to improve the quality of your video calls today.
