Lighting Tips on How to Look Your Most Photogenic for a Virtual Date or Zoom Call!
LIGHTING TIPS TO LOOK PHOTOGENIC
Let's face it...we all want to look our best on camera and now more then ever this trend has become all consuming. This due to the virtual world we all find ourselves in - virtual dating is now also rife due to the current restrictions. (Read our post on How To Prepare For A Digital Zoom Date for zoom dating tips).
Basically the video camera is a lot of people's lifeline right now. Most of us tend to think about what will look great on the gram? How will my fashion photograph? Do I look photogenic on the zoom call? The list goes on! Well as our brand states...we are Miss Photogenic®...the label that is all about virtual lifestyle! We are here to make you feel fabulous about you. So with this in mind, we are going to share some of our techy studio tips to give you the confidence you need to embrace the virtual world to the full. Lets bring out all your gorgeous photogenic features so you can #JoinTheSet with the top lighting tips below:
DON'T DISCARD NATURAL LIGHT
It's very important to face natural light from a window during your virtual meetings. Natural light is often the best and provides a soft glow to your skin, it can act like an Instagram filter. A second light source facing you will allow you to look even more radiant, if you find the natural light is not strong enough.
STEADY LIGHTING
Having one steady lamp, directly by your face, for even, steady lighting. No sidelight or backlight. Avoid sitting with your back to the window, as the camera will expose for the light and make you into a silhouette. Instead, flip it, and face the window, which will give you soft, people-pleasing light.
TOP TIPS!
Try not to sit with your light source to just one side of you....it can cast harsh unflattering shadows across the face!!
Balanced light fills in shadows and can help skin look smoother.
Make sure you're not sitting directly under any harsh overhead lights, which can create dark shadows on your face.
Adding a pop of blush to your cheeks can give you a youthful flush to combat any camera-induced sallowness.
To get some extra light fill to the face try using a large white piece of paper or even a white tablecloth and placing it on the table you are sitting at. Just make sure the white paper isn’t visible in the frame!!
You Could Apply a Zoom Filter?!
If you don’t have time to do all your makeup, Zoom has an option that allows you to apply a filter to your video display that smooths over your face. First, download the Zoom desktop app for your computer (the layout is much simpler), click on the settings icon in the top-right corner, and go to the video tab. You'll find a checkbox next to the option to "touch up my appearance." You can toggle this box on and off. Once ticked, a magical smoothing effect will blur over imperfections and make you look airbrushed!