What are the most effective ways to light a subject for video conferencing?

1 Avoid backlighting

One of the biggest mistakes that people make when setting up their video conferencing environment is placing a light source behind them, such as a window or a lamp. This creates a backlighting effect, which means that the camera will adjust to the bright background and make the subject appear dark and silhouetted. This can make it hard for the viewers to see your facial expressions and gestures, and reduce your visual impact. To avoid backlighting, make sure that you position yourself in front of a light source, or close the curtains or blinds if you have a window behind you.

2 Use soft lighting

Another common issue that can affect your video conferencing appearance is harsh lighting, which can create unwanted shadows, glare, and contrast on your face and body. Harsh lighting can come from direct sunlight, overhead lights, or flashlights, and can make you look tired, older, or unflattering. To use soft lighting, which is more gentle and even on your skin and features, you can try to diffuse the light source with a white sheet, a paper lantern, or a softbox. You can also use a reflector, such as a white board or a piece of aluminum foil, to bounce the light onto your face and fill in the shadows.

3 Use three-point lighting

One of the most effective ways to light a subject for video conferencing is to use three-point lighting, which is a basic technique that professional videographers and photographers use to create a balanced and flattering illumination. Three-point lighting consists of three light sources: a key light, a fill light, and a back light. The key light is the main light source that illuminates your face and body from the front or the side, creating highlights and shadows. The fill light is a secondary light source that fills in the shadows created by the key light, usually from the opposite side or below. The back light is a light source that separates you from the background, creating a rim of light around your head and shoulders, and adding depth and dimension. You can use any type of light source for three-point lighting, such as lamps, candles, or LED lights, as long as you adjust the intensity, angle, and distance to suit your needs.

4 Adjust your camera settings

Finally, you can also improve your video conferencing lighting by adjusting your camera settings, such as the exposure, white balance, and color temperature. The exposure is the amount of light that the camera captures, and you can increase or decrease it to make your image brighter or darker. The white balance is the color balance that the camera uses to adjust to the different types of light sources, such as daylight, fluorescent, or tungsten. You can change the white balance to make your image more natural or warmer, depending on your preference. The color temperature is the hue of the light source, measured in kelvins, and it ranges from cool to warm. You can adjust the color temperature to match the mood and tone of your video conferencing, such as using cooler colors for professional or formal settings, and warmer colors for casual or friendly settings.

By following these simple and effective ways to light a subject for video conferencing, you can enhance your video quality and appearance, and make a positive impression on your viewers. You can also experiment with different lighting options and combinations, and find what works best for you and your situation.

5 Here’s what else to consider

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