Lighting
Use windows, soft key light, fill, and exposure control to light faces consistently without harsh shadows.
The simplest reliable light source is a window in front of the speaker. Face the window, or turn slightly so the light arrives at roughly a 45-degree angle. This gives the face shape without creating harsh shadows.
- Avoid a bright window or lamp directly behind the speaker unless you are deliberately creating a silhouette.
- Avoid relying only on a ceiling light; it commonly creates dark eye sockets and shadows under the nose.
- Use one dominant light color. Mixing warm household lamps with cool daylight can make skin tones difficult to correct.
- Add a soft fill on the darker side of the face if needed. A white wall or reflector can be enough.
- Check exposure on the face, not the background. Lock exposure when the camera supports it so brightness does not pump as the speaker moves.
A small LED panel can improve consistency, but softer is usually better. Move it farther back, diffuse it, or bounce it off a neutral surface rather than pointing a harsh light directly at the speaker.