You’ve probably realised that your own home lighting leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to video conferences – and first impressions count. Choosing the right type of lighting to flatter your features, suit your purpose and fit the space you have makes a huge difference to how you come across on your video calls. If you’re not sure where to start, don’t worry – we’re going to give you the lowdown on the best ring lighting for your home video conferencing, so you’ll look like a professional superstar every time (even if you are still wearing your pyjamas!) This compact ring light is perfect for clipping on to any phone, tablet, or laptop camera.
The Spectrum Firefly is also seriously budget-friendly, and the universal clip means it will fit any make and model of laptop, phone or tablet. The 360-degree swivel ball head allows you to rotate it to any angle to give you hands-free lighting.
This smart little ring light is powered by a 2-metre-long USB cable, so no need to charge batteries. Level up your Skype or Zoom calls with the 10″ Opaluxe USB LED Ring Light. This adaptable ring light can be adjusted 180 degrees both front and back and sits on your table or desktop like a lamp.
If you have a larger home office and don’t want to take up valuable desk space, then the 13” Mini Pearl III may be the one for you. If you want to travel with the 13” Mini Pearl III, then it packs up easily in a neat shoulder carry bag. 1 x Spectrum Aurora 13” Mini Pearl III 13″/33cm LED ring light
If you are in video conferencing meetings all day long, then you need a ring light like the 18” Diamond Luxe III to give you the power, versatility, and reliability you require in your lighting to ensure you look both great and professional on your calls. 1 x Spectrum Aurora Diamond Luxe III 18″/44.5cm LED ring light We hope we’ve given you some food for thought with this list of ring lights for video conferencing, but here’s a few extra tips on how to get the best out of that next Zoom call:
How to Nail Your Light for Zoom Meetings Every Time
While many have the ability of simply turning their camera off, most in virtual sales roles need to meet face-to-face to interact with customers and clients daily. Good lighting can make the difference between a dark, grainy video and a bright, high-quality one. If you are in an area of your home where the light is not good, if possible, move your home office to an area that has the most bright, natural light to help brighten dark videos.
We’ll show you side-by-side examples of each lighting technique and let you decide.
Are Ring Lights Good for Zoom Calls?
They bring attention to your attractive features and drown out the background noise to create a stellar appearance. Ring lights are good for Zoom calls because they highlight your face rather than the background.
They provide warm light to enhance the appearance of your eyes and facial structure, which is why high-end vloggers and video producers use them. Throughout this article, you’ll also learn the following info about using ring lights for Zoom calls: Whether you’re chatting with friends and family or joining a business call, Zoom has become a leading video conference service. Ring lights make a massive improvement, so let’s explore five reasons that they’re good for Zoom calls below.
According to Men’s Journal, one of the main reasons so many people reach for ring lights in professional settings is because they enhance your skin’s appearance. According to Men’s Journal, one of the main reasons so many people reach for ring lights in professional settings is because they enhance your skin’s appearance.
Using a ring light for Zoom calls will make you look like you’re on a pro-level photoshoot rather than sitting at home in your pajamas. Using a ring light for Zoom calls will make you look like you’re on a pro-level photoshoot rather than sitting at home in your pajamas. Most light bulbs illuminate everything in the picture frame, bringing attention to furniture, pets, and everything else sitting in the background. Most light bulbs illuminate everything in the picture frame, bringing attention to furniture, pets, and everything else sitting in the background.
Without further ado, here are the four steps to set up a ring light for online video chats: Clamp-mounted ring lights hook onto the edge of your desk, computer, or another nearby surface. While this step isn’t mandatory, it’s a good idea to test your ring light with a friend before bringing it to a professional setting. With Zoom calls becoming more popular and relevant daily, it’s essential to create an ideal lighting setup.
You might not want the high-end Hollywood (expensive) setup, but you could add a budget-friendly ring light to enhance your video quality. Fortunately, ring lights make it easy for you to handle business effectively.
You don’t have to spend hours making the perfect setup like you would with the most floor or ceiling lamps. Below, you’ll find the three most common mistakes people make with ring lights and how you can fix or prevent them from happening.
DIY Video Studio suggests keeping other lights (including windows) out of the picture frame to reduce excess brightness. A wide base or heavy-duty clip will work wonders to stabilize the ring light. Whether you’re chasing the attractive glow or you want to drown out the background of your recording, they’re an excellent addition to any Zoom call.
How To Set Up & Use A Ring Light
The same is true if you want to use your enforced domiciliary life to start creating videos for YouTube, TikTok, Instagram or any other social media. The advantage of this approach is that you get an even spread of light across your face, making it much easier for the camera to focus and balance both the exposure and colour temperature. The ring shape is deliberate as the idea is that you place your phone, webcam or other camera in the middle and provide an even spread of light. Most models come with tripods and holders that will allow this, but if that’s not the case you can always fashion a stand out of books or any other stackable items you may have handy. With the camera in the middle, and the lens close to the light source, it will practically eliminate shadows and give the best results. Before you settle into the position you’ll use on your video, try placing the ring light at different distances away from you to see which gap works best with your surroundings. This involves carefully choosing objects and furnishing that will be in shot so that they create a mood that represents your taste. Some other lights in the background can be cool, but it’s usually best to choose softer, muted tones so they don’t glare into the camera.
A good rule of thumb is that the brighter you set the light, the more accurately the camera will capture colours and the sharper the feel of the footage. The main point is, don’t just switch on the ring light and leave it at that setting, instead try experimenting with brightness levels to see which one best suits your style.
If you’re interested in working more with moving images, then take a look at our roundups of the best free video editing software, best microphone for streaming and podcasting, and best camera deals.
Best Ring Light for Zoom Calls, Meetings, and Video Conferencing in 2021 – DIY Video Studio
But on a Zoom or Skype video call, participants have no qualms in scrutinizing the other person’s appearance. Fortunately, we can copy some tricks used by fashion photographers to give ourselves a more flattering appearance. We’ve therefore done several days of research to find the ideal gear that we think is up to the job of producing flattering light for video conferencing but inexpensive and simple enough for the average person to regard as the best lighting for home video conferencing. Make Popular Choice UBeesize Editor’s Choice UBeesize Best Value UBeesize Model 8″ Selfie Ring Light with Tripod & Phone Holder 10’’ LED Ring Light with Stand and Phone Holder 10″ LED Ring Light with Desk Stand & Phone Holder Image Ring Diameter 8-Inch 10-Inch 10-Inch Dimmable 1-100% 1-100% 1-100% Choice of Color Temperature YES YES YES Stand Height (Min/Max) 17.5-Inch/51-Inch 16-Inch/50-Inch 6-Inch (Approx) Stand Type Floor or Desktop Floor Desktop Power USB AC/DC Adapter USB Delivery Price $27.19 $28.79 $17.59 Buy on Amazon Buy on Amazon Buy on Amazon Popular Choice Make UBeesize Model 8″ Selfie Ring Light with Tripod & Phone Holder Image Ring Diameter 8-Inch Dimmable 1-100% Choice of Color Temperature YES Stand Height (Min/Max) 17.5-Inch/51-Inch Stand Type Floor or Desktop Power USB Delivery Price $27.19 Buy on Amazon Editor’s Choice Make UBeesize Model 10’’ LED Ring Light with Stand and Phone Holder Image Ring Diameter 10-Inch Dimmable 1-100% Choice of Color Temperature YES Stand Height (Min/Max) 16-Inch/50-Inch Stand Type Floor Power AC/DC Adapter Delivery Price $28.79 Buy on Amazon Best Value Make UBeesize Model 10″ LED Ring Light with Desk Stand & Phone Holder Image Ring Diameter 10-Inch Dimmable 1-100% Choice of Color Temperature YES Stand Height (Min/Max) 6-Inch (Approx) Stand Type Desktop Power USB Delivery Price $17.59 Buy on Amazon
Last update on 2021-11-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API A cheap purchase is often a false economy; however, we think UBeesize lights have the right balance between being inexpensive but being well made for most users. UBeesize design and manufacture lighting and camera accessories that is used in photography and video markets, as well as in theatre and live entertainment. The company is based in the USA, with a warehouse network designed to efficiently fulfill customer orders across the states.
Their products are popular among B2B wholesalers working across several sectors, including commercial, education, and healthcare. No doubt these are some of the reasons why UBsize has gained a loyal customer base and their products sell incredibly well. UBeesize 8″ Selfie ring light with tripod stand & cell phone holder Last update on 2021-11-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
As you would expect at this relatively low price point, the main parts are aluminum and plastic. By using the four-button controller on the power cord you can change both the color temperature of the light and the brightness. Thes may include laptops, PCs, power banks, USB chargers, or AC adapters. The minimum height is 17.5 inches, so with the kit fully assembled you could even place the stand on a desk or table.
You open the mount, slip it around any part of the column of the stand, close it up again, and lock it in place with the metal wire latch. Safer and Brighter The included AC/DC adapter helps protect your safety while improving the ring…
Last update on 2021-12-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API We love the black professional look of the kit and the small issue of not being able to mount a smartphone at the center of the 8” ring light has been put right in this larger model.
Whereas the 8” ring light only needed a USB port for power, this more grown-up sibling uses an AC/DC adapter since it requires a little more electrical juice.
The UBeesize 10” ring light is dimmable, going from 1% to 100%, and has a range of color temperature options, from a warm 3000K to a cool 6000K. UBeesize says “You get a quality ring light set with upgraded features and lifetime money-back promise.” If they honor that statement, then it might explain their high level of customer satisfaction. What we like What we don’t like Dimmable No brightness level indicator Choice of color temperature Tripod can be used on its own Easy set up and use Phone can be mounted within ring
UBeesize 10″ LED Ring Light with Desk Tripod Stand & Phone Holder UBeesize 10″ LED Ring Light with Tripod Stand & Phone Holder, Dimmable Desk… Last update on 2021-12-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The box includes a ring light, mini tripod stand, phone holder, Bluetooth remote control, and manual.
If you’re not using the ring light you could mount a smartphone, webcam, or small/medium weight camera on the mini tripod. In fact, I’ve used a very similar mini tripod as a support for my Canon EOS R with the RF 35mm lens.
Although this is not as bright as the 10” ring light with AC/DC adapter, using USB power provides more flexibility in where you can set up. Folder up the legs on the mini tripod to form a handle and lug the light into a power bank in your pocket and you have the basis of a superb mobile walkabout filming platform.
What we like What we don’t like Dimmable No brightness level indicator Choice of color temperature Easy to use Ideal for working at your desk USB power allows use anywhere For a pleasing and more flattering appearance make sure your ring light is straight in front of your face. This will make you look dark or add heavy shadows on one side of your face opposite the window, undoing the benefits of the ring light. This “soft” light minimizes and smooths those unflattering shadows on the face, thereby reducing any blemishes.
Ring lights also produce attractive and distinctive specular highlights in the eyes or catchlights. The tiny ones that clip on to your cell phone or those intended for personal makeup probably won’t do the job. Although many video lights can be set to different color temperatures, this is only useful if your camera app has a manual white balance control. To take advantage of the different color temperatures you will need to download a camera app with manual settings. However, skin tone can look richer under warmer (yellow) light and professional photographers and videographers may sometimes deliberately shoot to take advantage of the color effect. They are quick to set up, require little skill to make you look good, and can save space because the camera is placed within the ring. But if you wear glasses or don’t like the small circular catch-lights reflected from the surface of your eyes, then ring lights are not for you. A light using an AC/DC adapter will probably be brighter but you will need a wall outlet or extension cord nearby.
It could be used anywhere with a PC or laptop or even permit you to Zoom or Skype while walking about by plugging into a power bank. Tosh Lubek runs an audio and video production business in the UK and has been using the Canon EOS R since it was released in the Autumn of 2018.
3 tips for lighting a Zoom meeting on a budget
When you have to turn that camera on you for those corporate or public meetings, you should at least attempt to make yourself look as good as possible. SEE: Coronavirus: Critical IT policies and tools every business needs (TechRepublic Premium) Generally speaking, your Android or iOS device has a camera that is plenty capable of handling the demands of a Zoom meeting.
However, if you’re using your smartphone, make sure to have that device connected to Wi-Fi as you do not want to attempt to participate in a teleconference meeting over your carrier signal. You won’t be able to see what’s going on, so unless you have the ability to plug your mobile device into an external monitor, you might need to strategically place a mirror behind your phone so you can see everyone. Because that camera is, generally speaking, far superior to the rear-facing hardware, so it’s going to have an easier time with the video aspect of your meeting. If you find your camera isn’t cutting it, you can always opt to go with a webcam. You might have a bit of trouble finding the Kiyo at the moment (it’s currently sold out on Amazon), so look on as many online retail sites as you can.
SEE: Top 100+ tips for telecommuters and managers (free PDF) (TechRepublic download)
You don’t want to throw in lights with varying color temperatures into the mix. However, these are strange and (sometimes) desperate times, so light temperature shouldn’t be a concern. The last thing you want to do is slap an incandescent bulb in front of you, which will warm up the area and cause you to sweat.
As to fluorescent (or CF) bulbs, their coloration tends to cast people in a very unflattering light. If at all possible, make sure the lights point down from above, not directly at you, because they can be too harsh, or from below, because they’ll create sinister and unflattering shadows. It includes the ability to mount a phone instead of a regular camera, so your Zoom meetings would be fantastically served with this light. It doesn’t take too much work to get quality lighting for your Zoom meetings. Experiment with different rooms in your house, different types of lights, and settings on whatever camera you use. Executive Briefing Newsletter Discover the secrets to IT leadership success with these tips on project management, budgets, and dealing with day-to-day challenges.
6 Ways to Look *Really* Good on Zoom
This means if you click on the link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. Zoom conference calls are the new in-person meetings, which is just one reason you should get ready every day as though you are going in to the office.
Bright, solid colors tend to pop the most, whereas patterns can be distracting and pastels or neutral shades can wash you out. Unfortunately, the unforgiving built-in laptop camera and harsh screen lighting can magnify any blemishes or glares from shiny skin.
Zoom also offers a “touch up my appearance” button in the settings that will smooth any blemishes and brighten up your features. A designated office space will provide greater comfort and control over how to look good on Zoom.
Laptop cameras are generally wide angle, which can distort your features if you stand too close. Put the camera at eye level or slightly above to avoid creating a double chin effect or straight shot of your forehead.
Make sure you have a flat, clear surface, such as a desk or table, to set your laptop on to avoid any shaking, tilting, or sliding of the camera. The adjustable tripod makes this the perfect option for Zoom meetings or even as a reading light. You have complete customization with 360-degree rotation and remote operation to find what works to make you look good on Zoom. This camera plugs into your USB for instant use, and it comes with a built-in microphone and filter for clearing background noise.
1080P definition provides higher resolution for better camera quality that automatically adjusts to low or tinted lighting conditions.
The Best Ring Light for Zoom and Other Lighting Tips to Know
Looking flawless during Zoom video calls doesn’t have to take a lot of effort. When the pandemic hit in early 2020, many business operations moved online. We’ve specifically made this ring light for influencers, which means it’s of top quality.
To make things easier for you, the Photonix ring light comes with a 61-inch (155-centimeter) stand made of aluminum alloy.
It comes with a ball head hot-shoe adapter and is compatible with most smartphone holders. Now that you know that the Photonix ring light is the best choice out there, it’s time to learn how to use it to your advantage.
With the ring light at that height, this means you won’t get any unflattering shadows across your face. So do yourself a favor and ensure all your Zoom calls are well-lit with our ring light.
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