Remote work has become established, and web meetings such as Zoom and Teams have become a daily scene. However, do you find that your face on the screen looks dark, tired, or gives off a bad impression? If you only use your computer’s built-in camera and the lighting in your room, it’s easy to cast shadows on your face. This time, we will introduce tips on ring light and camera settings to give a bright and favorable impression to the other party during a web conference.
The first and most effective investment is to install a ring light. Ring lights, which are popular among YouTubers, cast even light over the entire face, cast shadows, and cast catchlights (rings of light) around the eyes, making facial expressions look more lively. When choosing one, it’s best to choose a stand type that can be placed on your desk, and a small one that can be clipped directly to the monitor. If you choose a model that allows you to switch the color (color temperature) of the light between daylight white and light bulb color, you can match it to the atmosphere of the room or make your complexion look better.
The basic location for the light is to place it directly behind the camera lens or surrounding the camera. If you shine the light at an angle, it will cast a shadow on one side of your face, so be sure to adjust the light so that it is shining directly in front of you.
Next, “camera position” is also important. If you place your laptop on your desk and use the camera at a low angle, it will give you the appearance of a double chin and an intimidating feeling. Use a laptop stand etc. to adjust the camera lens so that it is at the same level as your eyes. This alone will give you a very natural and good impression.
Furthermore, many web conferencing tools have settings such as correct appearance'' and adjust for low light.’’ Simply turning these on will improve the image quality.
With a little ingenuity and equipment, your impression through the screen can change dramatically. Please try it at your next meeting.