Video and mobile communications are proving a great way of keeping in touch with not only our friends and families but also with business colleagues. Remote working has become the norm and there is lots of collaboration software out there including Zoom Meetings, Skype, Google Hangouts and Zoho Meeting. For some of us, it’s pretty new, but it seems destined to stay, even when we get through the lockdown period. With all of us set to be ‘on camera’ more frequently looking good is becoming an essential part of our daily lives.
Are you worried about the way you look on the screen?
As a photographer, I’m always aiming to get great shots of my clients and it’s come to my notice that some people are worried about the way they look on the screen. Some are saying it’s affecting their self-confidence and a close friend of mine recently sent me a message saying she was participating in multiple conference calls, but couldn’t concentrate or listen to what people were saying because she was so shocked by her appearance. If this is happening to you, here are the top tips from Helen Tinner Photography, so that you look at your best for your next video and mobile conference call.
Why am I not looking good on my device?
What you are seeing is not the real you. Its artificially created, so don’t be hard on yourself. The camera lens in your laptop and mobile are designed for wide angle use and are set to sharp focus. This has the effect of making you look wider and more enhanced, thus creating a VERY distorted sense of perspective and proportion.
So, now you know why – what can you do about it?
Here are the top tips from Helen Tinner Photography:
1. Move your laptop further away, so that your face doesn’t appear so large on the screen.
2. Use direct lighting (preferably soft) and avoid overhead lighting, which causes ugly dark shadows.
3. Move yourself so you are sideways on. This is a great slimming technique and one of the top suggestions I make when posing clients for their business portraits.
4. Finally, for a more flattering effect position the screen of your monitor at 90 degrees, that is straight onto you. The most unflattering way to be captured is when a camera is looking up at you. So, if you’re working from a table and your monitor is tiled backwards, the camera inside it will be looking underneath and up at you. Similarly, if you are sitting down holding your devise on your lap, the camera will be pointing upwards. With the lens set at wide angle, this will have the effect of enlarging you, so your body looks big and your face small.
How Helen Tinner Photography can help you
I hope these tips are helpful for the next time you are on a video or mobile communications call. If you would like to know more about ‘Managing Your Personal Image ‘or have queries regarding private, commercial and special occasion shoots
call Helen on 01903 877755 or 07985 001534 or email Helen@helentinner.com
To find out more please visit: www.helentinner.com
