1. Framing Your Video

You should attempt to frame your video as close to this picture as possible. Note that the presenter is positioned in the middle of the frame, their head and shoulders are well presented and there is a good amount of headroom between the top of the presenter’s head and the top of the frame.

2. Camera Placement

Try to position your camera (Webcam, laptop or phone) at eye-level so you are looking directly forward into the camera, not looking up or down.

If necessary use a box, or books to raise your recording device to eye level before you start recording.

3. Lighting

Make sure that the room you are using is well-lit. try to avoid overhead ‘strip’ lighting which casts an orange/yellow hue. An LED light or natural daylight would be best.

Make sure there are no strong light sources behind the subject. ie do not film with the subject sitting in front of a window. The light coming in will most likely be too strong and cast the subject in shadow. Or it will create an overly bright ‘hot spot’ as the below two photos demonstrate.

Best practice would be to position your subject (yourself) facing a light source such as a window or lamp so it is behind the recording device. This way it should nicely illuminate your face.

Finally, try to make sure there are no erroneous or distracting elements in the background of the image. Try to avoid objects which may look as they are coming out of the presenter’s head, signs, confidential material etc.