Author: Eric Ravenscraft / Source: reviewgeek.com
Whether you have to video conference call for work or you’re film YouTube videos for fun (and profit?) we increasingly find ourselves in front of the camera. Just because you’re in front of the camera though, doesn’t mean you have to look like a hot mess.
We’ve got four tips to get you looking sharp.Looking good on a video stream is an intersection of a handful of key factors: video quality, camera position, and light quality and position—sound quality isn’t critical to how you look, but it is critical to how you come across so we threw in a tip for that too. Let’s dig into how to put your best face forward so that even if you look like a bulldog that lost a street fight at least you’ll look like a bulldog that got a good night’s sleep before the conference call.
A Better Camera: Webcam Upgrades for Everyone
It should go without saying that having a better camera can give you a better picture. What should be said is that you don’t need to spend a ton of money on a better camera. The webcam that came with your laptop is probably serviceable, but not the best quality around. The Logitech C920 ($50), as an example, has a better sensor and better software controls to improve your video stream.
Even if you buy a web cam that’s exactly the same quality as your laptop’s web cam (improbable, if you’re buying a camera like the C920, but always possible) it allows you to move the camera around. More on that in the next section.
You also have another option for a camera without spending a bunch of money: your phone.
For most people, the best camera you have is the one in your pocket. In some cases, you may be able to use it to stream video (whether by connecting it to your computer, or streaming directly from your phone). While the front-facing camera is tempting because you can use it while you see your screen, the rear camera is almost always the better one. Flip your phone around for higher resolution, a better lens, and a better picture overall.A Tripod or Mount: Above Eye Level or Bust
Mounting your webcam to the top of your monitor is fine for most casual use. If you want a better angle (always a good idea when shooting video), or you can’t easily mount the camera to your monitor, you’ll want a tripod or mount of some kind. A tiny tripod like this one ($10) lets you put any camera with a standard 1/4″ screw mount (like the C920 above) on any table or shelf. For more flexibility and a little more money, you can get a free-standing tripod ($24) that…
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