Let There Be Light

One small thing that can make a big difference in a Zoom meeting is lighting.

Not the camera.

Not the background.

The real secret to looking more professional on Zoom is getting as much light as possible directed toward you, not behind you.

When the brightest light is behind you, your camera struggles. You can end up looking dark, shadowy, or washed out. But when light is coming toward your face, everything looks clearer, warmer, and more professional.

A simple place to start is with the lights you already have.

Turn on the big light in the room. Turn on the lamps. If it is daytime, open the drapes and let in as much natural sunlight as possible. You can also move lamps closer to you and place them at better angles. The goal is not to create a movie studio. The goal is to make sure your face is well lit and easy to see.

Even better, consider using two small key lights placed in front of you at slight angles. They do not need to be expensive. I use low cost Neewer key lights from Amazon, and they work great.

When we are teaching, presenting, meeting with students, or attending faculty meetings online, our screen presence shapes how we come across. Good lighting can help us look more professional, prepared, and engaged.

Sometimes, looking more professional online is not about buying a better camera.

Sometimes, it is just about turning on the lights.

Happy Teaching 😊

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