Video meetings allow you to connect with others when you cannot meet in person. From discussing business with your boss and coworkers to spending time with friends and family, video calls allow you to do so from the comfort of your home. At the same time, you might wonder how to improve your lighting and overall picture quality. Here's how to use natural and custom lighting to ensure your business associates and loved ones can see you clearly. 

4 Tips for Good Lighting in a Video Conference Meeting

1. Get a Ring Light

Ring or circle lights provide 360 degrees of lighting. This can make your face look clear during video calls, especially in darker rooms of your home. Clip-on ring lights are smaller and attach directly to smartphones, allowing you to move freely while retaining good lighting. Larger desktop ring lights sit on tripods that allow you to fine-tune the angle of the lighting.

2. Use Natural Light

Move into an area of your home that receives ample sunlight and turn toward a window so that the light illuminates your face and the background. Make sure sunlight doesn't directly hit your face, as this can produce unflattering shadows. If you make frequent video calls, move your computer desk against a window with good natural lighting. 

3. Try Studio Lighting

If you attend video meetings often and want a truly professional setup, invest in studio lighting. A basic kit includes a key light, fill light, and backlight. The key light should clearly illuminate your face, so position it at a 45-degree angle. Use the fill light to eliminate shadows by placing it opposite of the key light. Finally, distinguish your face from the background by placing the backlight behind you.

4. Replace Bulbs

You can also use overhead, table, and floor lamps to provide lighting for video calls. Replace fluorescent or incandescent bulbs with LED ones, which are brighter and have a color temperature that looks more flattering on video. They also produce minimal heat, meaning they won't make you sweat during the call. 

Improve your lighting for video meetings with solutions from Palette Studios. Located in Cincinnati, OH, they provide custom lighting design and repairs to clients throughout the Tri-State Area. Call (513) 961-1316 to get started on bespoke lamps or chandeliers, and visit the website to learn more about their decorative and custom lighting solutions.