The reality of living in a pandemic means that all of us are spending much more time on Zoom whether we like it or not. For those of us who do not enjoy being in front of the computer’s video camera, things were bound to get stressful real quick. It’s not ideal to stare at yourself for so many hours, especially when the quality isn’t great and you don’t like what you’re seeing. So what do you do? Set things up so you look like you’re in a TV broadcast.
Zoom Calls
You can keep all the principles of broadcasts in mind when trying to achieve this goal. If you’re using the camera that comes with your laptop, chances are that things aren’t going to look so great.
When it comes to the camera angles, because it is positioned from above or below you, it is not going to be flattering. It’s not flattering to anyone, so don’t take this personally.
Webcam lights are also not ideal, as they tend to whitewash everything, including your face. The sole purpose to to give light, not to make the lighting flatter your face.
Webcams are also built in a way that focus on you, but they’re usually not able to single you out from a background with a lot of noise. This is why everything is visible but not very clear.
Improve The Way You Look On Zoom
Lastly, using computer speakers or headphones is not going to yield great results either. A simple microphone will help wonders, and there are solid options out here available for just $50.
In order to accomplish better results, you’re going to need a mirrorless camera that attaches with the micro HDMI cable to the camera link 4k. Next, you’ll put two key lights around the computer, which will then connect to to wifi and are controlled by your phone. Position your camera with a tripod in a way that captures your head and shoulders. Headphones help eliminate echo too.
One of the most important aspects of improving your Zoom presence is using a good camera that sends HDMI video feed from the camera to an HDMI source and then that to your computer. A good option for a mirrorless camera is the Sony a5100 along with a 18-55mm lens. The focal length will give you the option to have the camera close by while still having a nice focal effect.
Investing In Some Equipment Makes All The Difference
A good tripod to try out is the Gorillapod 3k. Of course, you’ll also need an HDMI cable to connect everything together. Using the Elgato Cam Link 4K will allow you to move the image from your camera to Zoom directly. The Elgato Key Light Air is a great option for improved lighting. Lastly, you can use a Blue Snow iCE USB mic, which is a great option.
If looking good on your Zoom calls is important to you, these are the steps you can take. While not strictly necessary, for those who are working in jobs that require good quality video calls, it can be worth the investment.
