Lighting can make or break your Zoom call! Too dark and you look like you’re in a hostage video. Too bright, and you look other-worldly. Proper lighting allows your customer to properly see you, your facial expressions, and most importantly, your eyes – which is where they connect with you.

The best lighting for video is sitting directly facing your chosen light source, allowing the light to illuminate your face. Avoid shadows and backlighting, which happens when you have your back to a window or other light source.

Here’s a quick and easy way to find the best lighting for your Zoom call.

Find your best light:

1. Take your phone or tablet with you as you walk through your home or office to test the lighting in different areas.
2. Flip the camera’s image so that you can see yourself on the screen.
3. As you walk through your home or office, notice how different camera angles or windows affect the lighting.
4. Find the best spot and stop! This is it. Your best lighting spot for your video call.

A warning about natural light:

The quality of natural light is subject to change throughout the day based on the position of the sun, so be sure to double-check your lighting before every video call. Lighting that was sufficient one day, may not be the next.

Weather is another often-overlooked factor that can influence the quality of lighting on your video. If overcast, the sun may no longer be the most reliable light source available and you’ll need to supplement with artificial lighting.

Tips on using artificial light:

If the weather is not on your side or you simply are not in close proximity to a window, you’ll need to find an artificial light that works for you. A properly placed lamp or a ring light can provide you with sufficient lighting for your video call.

Experiment with the lights you have. Often times replacing the harsh white bulbs with softer LED bulbs with a high CRI provide a more flattering look for video.

Note that artificial lighting can cause glare or reflection in your glasses. This can be fixed by adjusting the angle of the light, moving it farther away from you, or raising the earpiece of your glasses so that they tilt down slightly to avoid catching that glare.