Webcams are great for videoconferences, but if you want to make a presentation or livestream from your desk look better, you can use your phone. Today’s smart phones have much better cameras than the average laptop, but there are a few things to remember for best results:
- Mount the phone on a desktop tripod, at the same level as your eyes. No one wants to look up at your ceiling.
- Mount the phone horizontally (or landscape). Although you could live stream to Facebook with a vertical video, landscape lets you repurpose your video for other platforms like YouTube or Vimeo.
- Make sure your face is lit evenly. Avoid large windows or bright lights in the background, and use a desk lamp to balance the contrast on your face.
- Use an external microphone, close to your mouth. This will reduce the effect of room echoes and distracting noises.
- If it’s a live stream, you’re good to go. If you are recording a video to send to someone, upload the file in the best quality you can, using a cloud file sharing service. Good quality video files are too big for email.
We’ve made a handy instruction card, ready for your video emergencies. You could even laminate it and stick it to the fridge. Click the link to download, with our compliments!
