Story: Make an good impression
I watch daily news(The National on CBC, Bloomberg Technology) on YouTube Every day. TV Moderator talks with a reporter, industry professional and ordinary people by PC/laptop. The camera/sound qualities are different each people. Of cause, not everyone installs high-speed WiFi at home, but we can prepare for it. Precisely, it’s the camera angle, basic lighting and sound. Kind of manner, I think.
I am not talking about only TV. We have a video conference frequently. I want to be professional in any occasion.
Therefore, I searched how to be professional in a video conference, technics and products.
Avoid webcam zombies
PCWorld: How to look fresh and professional in video conferences and web meetings
Interesting term, webcam zombies. Actually, sometimes I saw it, but I cannot mention it. At least, I would like to avoid it myself.
I am using MacBook Pro 2016. I don’t say the camera is great, but it’s okay. I normally do video conferences at the co-working space. So, lighting is manageable. I need to improve the camera angle and mike/voice sounds.
How To Look Good on Video Calls for Zoom FaceTime Skype
©HotandFlashy
Lighting makes the image better. I’m thinking of some supplement light behind the laptop. It should be small, crip ideally. I found products. It called soft ight ring/selfie ring light.
Camera angle, slightly upper than the eye. She set up a laptop on the box. I cannot do it if I’m outside, but I bought Moft.
Tripod for iPhone. I don’t use often facetime, but sometimes I need to record videos by iPhone, such as Toastmasters or just shooting. Gimbal doesn’t stand.
She does not care about background a lot. Keep the background tidy.
Look at the camera lens, not display. I know that, but I don’t get used to it yet. Need practice.
Care about the noise. Sometimes the attendant of a Zoom conference does not mute during the conference. It’s very annoying.
Over 2.5M views for less than 2 months. Who is she?
HOW TO LOOK GOOD IN VIDEO CALLS (for free!) 7 Easy Tips for Working from Home
©some gray things
– Sit by window
– Light at the angle
– Get off the wall
– Camera eye level
– Tidy up
– Background.
I do not want to show background if I need to use Zoom at home. Some people use a background image, but it’s still not enough quality yet. I don’t want to use it.
– Use earbuds
Look Professional on Video Calls
©Aircall
Same room, but an impression is totally different.
Lighting is based on my situation, but I know what I should not do, do not sit with the window in the back. I bought a MacBook stand, Moft. I don’t think the camera angle will be eye level. This is an experiment. Will see.
I found earbuds that I want to buy. I am waiting back to school sale if it’s held in 2020. I am going to care about surround. Some people use it by calling in outside, and it’s noisy when s/he walks behind me, too loud. Don’t you have the same experience?
Look Better on Video Calls With These Easy Lighting Tips
©Tech Square ATL
The lighting is an interesting subject, like a background effects of manga. It creates a different impression. I work with a photographer sometimes. They are a master of lighting. I learned from them a lot.
– Avoid backlighting.
– Natural light and indoor light are different temperatures.
– Sit at an angle to the window.
– Bounce light if possible.
– Background light as an accent.
Entire Youtube Studio Setup ON ONE DESK!
©DSLR Video Shooter
Advanced. If you want to be a YouTuber, this is not much costs.
I like to learn about these nitch products. I had no idea, no relates to my job, but there is a market. There are pro models and beginner ones at any product. Depends on ROI. I cannot compromise it as a designer.
How to Change Your Virtual Background
©The Virtual Training Team
She talks about the Microsoft Teams platform. It calls a virtual background. The quality is very good. About a problem, when we do a video conference, the facilitator chooses a platform. I’ve never met people who use Microsoft Teams. In my experience, people use Zoom, or Skype. Facebook support requires BlueJeans Meetings. I know the other platforms, Google Hangouts, join.me, Cisco Webex, GoToMeeting, but I’ve never used it yet.
The platform has to be adapted to the majority of the attendant. Therefore, Zoom is the first choice even though there is a security issue. It may be fixed already. I didn’t follow up on it.
Creating Backgrounds for Video Conferencing
©Adobe Creative Cloud
Just as knowledge. The video/camera doesn’t recognize the boundary clearly between people and the background. I hope it will fix the near future.
Conclusion: People is flexible
Before the coronavirus, I don’t have many experiences of a video conference. After the coronavirus, I am using it once a week. Some people use video for online gathering, eating food and drinking at the same time with video. I’ve never heard this usage before.
On May 24th, it seems that many business have gradually come back. Some office workers still keep working at home. The working style has drastically shifted and it won’t be the same before the pandemic.
I would like to keep update the quality of the video conference and look for what people need, business idea.
