Rightways: Get groomed for Zoom: Four ways you can look better on video calls

Sitting further away from the camera, wearing neutral colours and doing simple makeup that helps to define your features are all good ways to present well over a video call. Photograph: Getty Images

Work From Home - Audio/Video Tips

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From better angles to lighting and dressing up yourself and your background, here’s what experts say you’re probably doing wrong on video calls. — dpa

Wow, doesn’t he look tired today! Since video calls have become part of our daily work routines and entire groups of friends have virtual parties, the technical and aesthetic flaws of video chat have never been more apparent.

With these four tips, you can make it look like you’re streaming from a TV studio and look your best in front of the webcam.

1: Consider the perspective (don’t film up your nostrils)

Even with the tiny webcams built into laptops, a lot can be done. It starts with how it's positioned, explains video hardware specialist Natasja Sluka.

“A look from above can unintentionally give off an arrogant vibe.”

Try to position your camera at eye level, just like in a personal conversation. To avoid filming into your nostrils when using a laptop camera, you should place the laptop higher up, for example on some books.

Around 50 to 100 centimetres, or an arm’s length, is a good distance from the face. This also makes for a good image with some free space around the head and shoulders.

2: Let there be light (but not back light)

A lot can go wrong when it comes to lighting. A window or bright lamp behind you means everyone will see a dark shadow where your face should be.

But too little light also doesn’t make for a good picture. Sluka advises using daylight as much as possible.

Warm colours with light yellow or red tones, as opposed to fluorescent light, help create a healthier complexion.

If all of that is not enough, a lamp behind your notebook will bring more light onto your face.

If you want to do it right, then buy a ring light, says make-up artist Jasmin Reuter.

The light is reflected in the eyes of the person being recorded, and shadows on the face are also eliminated.

”For those who don’t want to put on make-up just for a video call, a ring light and a really good camera is my top tip, ” she says.

“You almost look better than in real life, as the frontal illumination of the face makes your complexion look nice and soft.”

3: A little foundation doesn’t hurt (you too, men)

The camera is merciless and can act like a magnifying glass.

”Blotchy, shiny skin is all the more noticeable on video calls, ” says Reuter.

“If you have to go on an important call, such as one that’s being recorded, I would advise men to use some no-pigment foundation to counteract the shine.”

Depending on the camera position, under-eye circles can appear even darker. If in doubt, use some concealer.

If you wear make-up anyway, Reuter advises using some blusher on video calls.

“And some mascara, which opens your eyes and makes you look more alert.”

Some patterns on your top can give off an agitated vibe, and may even flicker on someone else’s screen.

It’s therefore recommended you avoid eye-catching patterns such as checks or stripes, says Reuter.

If you wear large earrings or necklaces and a headset at the same time, then watch out that they don’t touch each other.

Otherwise you’ll annoy everyone on the call with a constant banging noise.

4: Dress up your background, too

You’ve probably discovered countless interesting things in the home of the people you’ve talked to during a video call. The other person might not have wanted to show you all that.

”Check in advance what’s in view and think about what impression you’re giving off, ” says Sluka. Making sure things look tidy won’t hurt either.

Alternatively, there’s a range of tools included in video conferencing applications like Teams, BigBlueButton, Jitsi and Zoom that will let you do things like blur the background.

”This makes sense if the shelf in the background is a bit of a mess or there is a pile of dishes in the kitchen in the background, ” says Sluka.

However, the soft focus doesn’t always work accurately: Sometimes your hair or hands disappear, especially when you move.

Some programs will let you display any background image - particularly useful for people in small and dark rooms. Plain, light backgrounds work wonders, perhaps a photo of a beautiful, light office.

Holiday photos and funny designs might serve as a conversation starter, but ultimately are just a distraction.

And should you invest in real conferencing equipment? It's a matter of opinion, says video expert Sluka. Most of the time, the built-in cameras - especially with new notebooks - are really good.

For older computers, it can make sense to buy separate hardware, but the sound is more important. The first thing to invest in is a good microphone or new Bluetooth headset. – dpa