Whether you're conducting an interview, hosting a webinar, or simply catching up with your team, adhering to certain best practices can elevate the quality of your video calls. Here's how:

‍

1. Lighting Matters

‍

Good lighting is important no matter what you’re filming. Webcams typically have smaller sensors compared to professional cameras, limiting their ability to capture light and detail. This smaller sensor size means webcams need significantly more light to produce clear, high-quality images. In well-lit environments, webcams can perform closer to their best, reducing image noise and improving overall image quality. Here are some lighting guidelines for remote interviews:

• Positioning: Face a window or a large, soft light source to ensure natural, even illumination across your face.
• Avoid Backlighting: Never sit with a window directly behind you. Backlighting creates a silhouette effect, obscuring facial features. Given the small sensors in webcams, ample lighting is essential for optimal performance.
• If possible, use lighting equipment with a large diffused softbox. The large, soft source helps to evenly light the subject and reduce harsh shadows. 

‍

‍

2. Basic Composition

‍

Effective composition helps ensure the subject is showcased in a clear and appealing manner, elevating the viewer's experience and the overall impact of the interview. Composition is a huge topic of discussion, but we can simplify it for general online best practices.

• Center Your Head: Keep your head centered in the frame to avoid off-balanced shots.
• Eye Level: Position the camera at eye level. Elevate your laptop if necessary to achieve this perspective, ensuring a direct and engaging view.

‍

‍

3. Zoom Settings for High-Quality Capture

‍

Enhance your Zoom video quality by adjusting the following settings:

• Enable HD: Access 'Settings' > 'Video' and check 'HD' to capture high-definition video.
• Optimize Recording: In 'Recording' settings, select 'Optimize for 3rd party video editor' and 'Record video during screen sharing' for higher quality outputs.

‍

‍

4. Sound Quality

‍

Sound quality is crucial, and in our opinion, one of the most important factors in having a high quality remote interview.

• External Microphone: Use an external microphone rather than your device’s built-in one for clearer audio. If you don’t have a nice external microphone, a pair of headphones is still an improvement over the native laptop microphone.
• Quiet Environment: Conduct your interview in a quiet space to minimize background noise, ensuring your voice is heard clearly without distractions.
• Minimize Echo: In rooms with hard surfaces, sound can bounce around, creating an echo that detracts from audio clarity. Consider using rugs, curtains, or even specialized sound-dampening panels to minimize this effect. These additions can absorb excess sound, ensuring your voice is clear and crisp to your audience.

‍

‍

5. Dress and Background

‍

• Neutral Clothing: Opt for solid, neutral colors. Complex patterns and designs can distract from the focal point of the video— you.
• Simple Background: Choose a background that is simple and uncluttered. A chaotic background can detract from the professional quality of your video.
• Personalize Your Space: Adding a few well-chosen props or elements related to the interview topic can create a more engaging and dynamic background without causing distraction. For instance, if discussing a book, having it visibly on a shelf behind you can add context and interest. 

‍

‍

Bonus Tip: DSLR as a Webcam Alternative

‍

• Superior Video Quality: For the best quality bump, consider using a DSLR or mirrorless camera as your webcam alternative. Many modern cameras offer a "webcam mode" or can be connected via capture cards or dedicated software. This setup not only improves the video resolution and depth of field but also provides greater control over framing and focus, elevating your Zoom interviews well above standard webcam quality.

‍