Video calls are part of everyday life now. You use them for classes, meetings and catching up with friends.
Sometimes you don’t need expensive equipment for video calls. A good camera position, good light and sound can make a difference.
Below are some steps on how you can set up video calls at home.
Improve Your Lighting
Your face and expressions can be visible with good lighting. You can sit by the window so the light comes directly at your face.
You should move from behind the window to an area where your face is more visible.
When daylight is not available, you can use a desk lamp or a ring light. You can place it at the side of your face.
Also try to avoid bright lights that create shadows.
Position Your Camera Properly
Where your camera sits changes how you come across on screen. You can put the camera at eye level so you look straight at the camera.
If your laptop is low, raise it on a set of books or a stand. You can also frame yourself so your head and shoulders are in view.
You can also clean the lens of your camera before important calls.
Make Your Audio Clear
You can get away with a blurry picture but not with bad sound. You can use high quality headphones or an external microphone if you can.
These headphones cut background noise and make your voice clearer. Also you can close tabs and apps that might play sounds or use bandwidth.
If you use a Mac and need to run apps that are not native, consider tools like Download BlueStacks Air for Mac to run extra communication apps and keep audio stable.
Test Your Internet Connection
Your video will not freeze or drop if you have a good internet connection. If you want a stronger signal, move closer to your router or use an Ethernet cable.
You can pause downloads and streaming while on a call.
You can also join test servers or practice rooms on your Mac to check how your connection performs before a big meeting.
Create a Clean Background
Your background should be simple and neat so people focus on you.
A plain wall, a neat bookshelf or a small plant looks professional without being distracting.
You can use a virtual background in some tools as well. You can also make a space feel warm and intentional with small touches like framed pictures and lamps.
