The best lighting for video conferencing

One of the things that the pandemic brought with it and that has taken root in our society is video conferencing. Today, it is a widely used format, whether for corporate meetings, YouTube video recordings, or webinars, among many others. Therefore, in today’s post, we delve into the best lighting for video conferencing.

The importance of lighting in a video conference

Lighting is a key factor in a video conference, as poor lighting can cause the transmission to appear washed out. Additionally, it creates an effect contrary to professionalism and good presence. If you don’t want to neglect your image or brand, you must take care of even the smallest detail because everything you transmit communicates something to your audience. You can never leave to chance what you show and how you show it.

General considerations

Before delving into the different types of lighting for video conferencing, it’s important to keep in mind some basic considerations. To start, you shouldn’t forget that the background plays a fundamental role. It should be as uniform as possible and should not be less than a meter and a half from the subject appearing in the image. Additionally, it’s advisable not to have elements in the background that could distract the audience, such as photos, paintings, or posters.

If we focus on lighting, ideally the subject should be equally or more illuminated than the background, and this light should be homogeneous. A common mistake that can have a very negative effect is for the background to be or have a light source, whether natural or artificial.

The aspects mentioned above should be considered in any project. However, the ideal type of lighting will depend on the objectives being pursued. Next, we’ll look at different lighting options for video conferencing.

Lighting with natural light

Logically, natural lighting can be used whenever a natural light source is available and you’re recording during the day. In that case, the simplest thing is to position yourself in front of the window, so that the light is frontal. If the sunlight is direct, the ideal would be to use curtains to avoid overexposing the image. Remember that you should never record a subject with their back to the light, nor directly under an artificial light source. Otherwise, multiple shadows will appear in the scene that will damage the image.

Lighting with artificial light

Although natural lighting has the perfect strength and diffusion for correct illumination, it’s not always available. In that case, artificial lighting will be the only alternative, although it also offers very good results. The most recommended is to position the subject in front of a white wall and have a light source on each side, at the height of their face. If the two light sources point to the wall, the bounce will go towards the subject, correctly illuminating their features. Optionally, a fill light can be added.

Studio lighting for video conferencing

Throughout the post, we’ve seen the two basic types of lighting and how to use them to make a video conference look as professional as possible. However, to obtain maximum quality results, all of this may not be enough. As we mentioned at the beginning of the post, everything depends on the project’s objectives. If what you want is to achieve maximum quality and professionalism, the best thing is to have a space and equipment specially designed for broadcasting. In this sense, we must not forget that, although lighting is a fundamental part, it is not everything. It must be accompanied by a good background, good image quality, and the best sound.

At AVisual STUDIOS, we offer you the best solutions so you can carry out all types of projects. The Webcast Zone studio in Barcelona or the M Space studio in Madrid are spaces specially designed for recordings and live or deferred broadcasts. In our studios, you can conduct any type of video conference with complete peace of mind thanks to our two independent 1GB symmetric lines. Additionally, you will always have the advice of the studio’s technical team at your disposal.

We have different backgrounds, curtains, vinyl floors, and furniture included in the price so that you can fully set the ambiance of the space. If needed, we also offer the possibility of customizing the backdrop canvases of the set with your corporate image, as well as other complementary services so that you can work comfortably and efficiently. Don’t hesitate to contact us for more information!