✓ Do’s

• Close or lock the door to reduce the chance of people coming in or out of the room.
• Raise your computer/camera so that it is at eye level and don’t appear to be looking down at everyone.
• Frame yourself correctly on the screen by sitting at a balanced distance from your camera (Not too close, not too far apart). See Figure XXX.
• Use virtual backgrounds if you have a green screen or powerful enough computer that can prevent black splotches from appearing when you move or make loops or circles with your fingers, arms, hair etc.
• Use “video touch-up” if your computer is powerful enough.
• If you are joining someone live, that you’re not sequestered with,  observe all the covid-19 rules, including wearing masks and maintaining the recommend distance.

✘ Don’ts

• Avoid distractions caused by people coming in and out of the room.
• Avoid backgrounds that can cause distraction (crowded, disorganized).
• Avoid the camera cropping part of your head.
• Avoid framing your face in the middle of the screen.
• Avoid looking at the action on the screen.
• Avoid having your laptop on your lap.

✓ Do’s

• Ideally,  place 2 large lights off to your left & right pointing at you in 45 degree angles.
• Another good option is using a ring light setup around your camera in a well lit room.
• If you wear glasses, Try to place lights above you so that others don’t see the lights reflected in your glasses.
• Use large area lights to get even lighting instead of spot lights that will create harsh shadows.
• Use three point lighting arrangements if possible https://images.app.goo.gl/yGXXg1axSe4tLedR7
• Layout examples: https://images.app.goo.gl/iviUjYG2TLuVcbJ99
• Two point lighting examples: https://images.app.goo.gl/2YTcfVNf6wsWY8aV6

✘ Don’ts

• Avoid standard overhead room lighting.
• Avoid backlight. This will make your image dark.
• Avoid using spotlights from the ceiling.

• Posture – Sit in a straight upright position. You can use a pillow to correct your posture.
• Dress appropriately. Find an outfit that has good contrast with your background, ideally a flat color.
• Look straight into the camera, not at the slides or your notes.
• If you must read from notes, consider using a teleprompter or put notes on a big screen behind camera.
• The camera picks up more than you might think.  Brush your teeth, comb your hair & shave your face.

• Don’t slouch.  Consider putting a small pillow between your lower back and the chair.
• Don’t wear colors that match or conflict with your greenscreen.
• Try not to wear glasses if they cause a significant reflection from the lights.