In the wake of the pandemic, almost everything has shifted online. Online communication has become a part of everyone’s life, from classrooms, office meetings, and even extracurricular courses.
The thought of showing your face and speaking on camera is an overwhelming task for many. Instead of focusing on meeting or class, people worry if they look presentable and thus, miss out on the talk occurring online.
These thoughts probably discourage and demotivate many who reluctantly join meetings or produce video content. While some are self-conscious, others may feel like they lack the experience.
During this challenging time, when face-to-face communication is not possible, we must learn to be comfortable in front of a camera.
Suppose you are facing a similar issue of recording videos on a webcam; let us help you!
The webcam recorder does not capture our best images, but we can still make ourselves presentable by following specifically helpful yet easy steps. These are not limited to only online classes and meetings but also applicable to those producing videos and performing live streams.
These tips will help you look professional and further let you focus on the online content.
So, even if you are a newbie or someone who has been doing this for years, these handy tips will support your communication online much better.
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Here are Ten Best Tips for Recording Yourself With a Webcam:
1. Look For the Perfect Webcam Placement
Certain camera angles can flatter your features, while others might distort it. You need to place your webcam recorder properly and check for the perfect placement.
Whether you are using a USB webcam or an inbuilt one in your laptop or PC, the camera lens and your eye must be at the same level. If the lens sits low, all it films is the ceiling and the bottom of your face, which is not at all flattering.
If your device sits too low, you can place some books or boxes underneath to raise the webcam to the appropriate level. Remember that it should not be higher than your hairline.
Once you have figured this out, position yourself far enough from the lens where the webcam recorder can capture your shoulder and your entire face. Avoid sitting too close to the webcam as it will turn off the people who are with you in a video meeting.
2. Lighting is Essential
Just like angles, lighting plays a pivotal role in capturing the best image of yourself on the webcam. As the webcam recorder sensors are tiny, enough light is needed to catch you perfectly online.
Check for a good light source by avoiding low lights or excessive backlighting, especially from the background windows. Poor lighting will make you look half-hidden or like a shadowy figure.
Spotlighting makes sure you have enough light for your webcam. You can do this by facing a window or using a ring light where the light focuses on your face and does not hit the camera.
In darker rooms, you need to maximize your screen’s brightness and add a light source in front of you.
3. Select the Appropriate Outfits
Indeed, we can wear anything we want while talking to our friends on video calls, but in a professional setting, you need to dress appropriately, even if it is on a webcam.
Wear outfits that are suitable for your online content and make you feel comfortable at the same time. For instance – if you are an office worker but show up at your online meeting wearing a mickey mouse t-shirt instead of formal attire, chances are your boss would not be pleased.
Wearing pants or no pants can be debatable but ensure that the camera showing your upper body maintains a professional look. Avoid wearing colorful outfits like bright red or green as it makes your face appear contrastingly different.
Colors captured on the webcam play a significant role while recording, so make sure you pick pale shades that are not too vivid. Make sure to avoid fabrics and prints that are too distracting, which may draw the listeners’ attention away during your talk.
4. Pay Attention to the Background.
Minimize the distractions that are present in the background. If you want to film a polished video, you cannot have too many personal items behind you.
Anything out of place can distract your audience and make them lose their attention from you. Avoid anything that makes your background look untidy and cluttered. Always keep in mind to pull the curtains or shut the windows so that the natural light does not reflect excessively on the computer screen.
You can always film videos in the office, bedroom, or living room but ensure that the background Is minimalistic at its best.
5. Choose A Quiet Space.
Pets, kids, and the machines running can be a big distraction as well as annoy the audience. Not only does it disrupt the online video, but people find it hard to focus on the online content as well.
You can have the perfect backdrop, but unwanted noises can result in a bad presentation. Along with your background, focus on recording on a webcam in a quiet place.
6. Practice Recording On A Webcam
There is no harm in practicing in front of the webcam and ensuring your image and audio is perfect. You can do a ‘dry run’ with a friend if you are not familiar with the software.
It is essential to practice in front of a camera when you are in a new location or using new equipment.
You can record practice videos from a webcam and further examine the parts you need to improve. While speaking, you can prepare a script so that you won’t feel nervous while talking online. You can follow this for your recorded and live streaming videos where teleprompter apps can help you.
If you want to experience presenting as you did in the office or classrooms, consider having someone sit behind the webcam recorder to achieve its feel.
7. Connect With Your Audience.
Talking to people online does not result in the same genuine conversation as it is when communicating face to face. It does not mean you are not supposed to make efforts to focus on your audience.
Ensure that you are talking to people while maintaining eye contact, as it is crucial when speaking publicly, even online. Do not look at your screen; your attention must be on your webcam lens.
Smile, nod, and make your presence known instead of being stoic on camera.
It is tempting to watch yourself on the video feed at the corner and check your image, leading to distraction. If you keep on looking down and breaking eye contact, viewers will think something else keeps you busy, and their interest will fade away.
8. Check Sound Quality
Just like an image, sound in the video equally matters in online meetings. Sometimes a poor video but good audio is more appealing than a high-quality video but feeble sound.
Aside from focusing on the video quality, make sure your audio is equally good. If you are using a standard microphone located on the laptop or built-in your webcam, do a test recording with it.
A USB microphone comes in handy and minimizes the background sound, making the audio quality better. You do not have to shout or hold the microphone too close. While practicing, adjust your sound settings to speak naturally.
9. Look Out For The Reflection in Your Glasses.
If you wear glasses, the chances are that your screen will reflect onto your glass lens and hide your eyes. To avoid this problem, you can wear a lens that will not cause any glare.
However, here are some helpful steps that will reduce the screen reflection on your glasses:
● Change the height of your light by raising it
● Don’t look at the light directly; instead, focus only on the webcam recorder
● Avoid having a bright light next to you
● Make use of a soft light
10. Test Your Internet Speed
Before you start your online meeting or recording, make sure your internet is fully working. If not, it will result in pixelated images, sudden dropouts, and other errors.
When the internet stops working, it can disrupt your whole meeting. Ask your guests to test their internet and possibly connect the hard drive to Wi-Fi for extra stability.
The Best Webcam Recorder For You
Are you looking for a free webcam recorder that provides basic as well as advanced features for you? Try the Screen Capture webcam software, where you can record the most innovative yet professional-looking videos.
Aside from capturing the perfect image and sound, it secures private video recordings and exports them in HD quality.
Combine Screen Capture with the mentioned tips to record yourself in a webcam professionally. Not only will it ease your work burden but also make not-so-fun online recordings and meetings enjoyable.