Don’t upgrade your webcam, upgrade your lighting instead

Whether you’re streaming, recording yourself, or engaging in video chat, you’re probably disappointed with the image quality you’re getting. However, before you order an expensive new webcam, keep in mind that the real problem may not be your camera, but your lighting setup.

The rays are the most important

A camera, any camera, is essentially a device for collecting and recording light. That’s why even the world’s most expensive webcam won’t help you if your lighting is bad. Conversely, even the basic 720p built-in camera on your laptop can look great given the right lighting.

This is why improving lighting is often the most effective way to get better webcam images, and once you know how to do it, you’ll never go back to the old dark ways.

It may not have enough light

One of the main weaknesses of most webcams is low light sensitivity. These cameras have tiny sensors and pinhole lenses (unless you bought a more expensive model specifically for better low-light performance).

So the first thing to try is to add more light to the scene. Turn on more lights in the room, turn the lights on a dimmer, move the lamps around and see if the image is less grainy and blurry.

The quality of light also contributes

Light comes in an infinite variety of qualities, and even if you have enough light for your camera, it may still be too harsh to illuminate your face. Ideally, you’ll want a soft diffused light that isn’t focused on a single hot spot on your face.

Some modern LED lights are naturally diffused, consisting of several individual LEDs shining through a diffusion material, but if not, you can purchase diffused lights or angle the lights so they reflect off the ceiling and walls instead of shine directly on you. This

Three Point Lighting – The Gold Standard

One of the most common lighting setups for a face is a three-point lighting system, consisting of a key light, a fill light, and a back or “ring” light. The head light is the main light source and is usually positioned at a 45 degree angle to the face. The fill light is used to soften the shadows created by the key light, and is typically placed on the opposite side of the face from the key light. The backlight is used to separate the subject from the background and is typically placed behind the subject, while the edge light is still behind the subject but to the side, as seen in this diagram.

You don’t need special lights to do a three-point setup job, but it’s easier to buy a kit or some lights that allow you to adjust their temperature, intensity, and color. It is always better to try to use what you already have instead of rushing to buy something.

Ring Lights – The Quick and Dirty Fix

If you don’t have the space to set up a three-point light solution, or don’t want the hassle of setting it up every time you want to use your camera, then the next best solution is a ring light. A good example is the Ruyilam Ring Light.

If you mount your webcam in the center of the ring of light, your face should be evenly lit. The idea is that a ring light offers even diffused light in a circular pattern, so there should be no need for a fill light. You can still use a tail or rim light in conjunction with the ring light, but a ring light is usually sufficient.

Please note the size of the ring light you purchase. For Zoom calls, you’ll want an 8- to 10-inch light with larger lights suitable for footage shot at longer distances or covering more than just the head and shoulders.

If you’re looking for a better webcam one way or another, you might also want to consider buying a webcam with an integrated ring light. This will raise the quality of the raw image and the lighting of the shot in one shot.