how do you set up a zoom conference call

In other words, step back from the camera. So if you get too close to it, you will look distorted. Get rid of what he calls 'wide-angle face.' The cameras on smartphones and webcams are wide-angle. Becker photographs himself in front of bricks, which he calls 'boring' and thus non-distracting.

He likes it 'plain and simple,' like blank walls, or a wall with nothing but one piece of art hanging. Many people like to be photographed in front of a bookshelf, but Becker says sometimes the 'trinkets' on the shelf will cause distractions. You want people focusing on your face, not on what's behind you. Instead, flip it, and face the window, which will give you soft, people-pleasing light. He suggests, as we have several times, to avoid sitting with your back to the window, as the camera will expose for the light and make you into a silhouette. No sidelight or backlight, please, he adds. He recommends having one steady lamp, directly by your face, for even, steady lighting.

They have what Becker calls 'Shady Face,' that is, half of their face is shaded or blocked in some way.

Here's where most people fail in web conferences. However, Becker says to steer clear of shirts that are bright white or dark black because they look like a 'blob' on camera. A plain, solid color will help bring out the best you. Wearing a really busy plaid or patterned outfit will make the viewers' eyes go numb. Comb your hair, shave your face or apply your makeup and think strategically about your clothing. We checked in with Florida photographer Larry Becker, who just wrote a book about how to improve our appearance called 'Great on Camera,' for some insights. In our new normal of the COVID-19 era, many of us have turned to the webcam and video meetings in place of school, work conferences, and many of us are spending our days on video conferences hosted by Zoom, Hangouts, Skype, FaceTime, WebEx and the like.Īnd many of you are probably looking into the picture window at yourself and saying, 'Really? I look that bad?' We want to look great, be safe, happy, and might I add, look great?

How do you set up a zoom conference call