Touch Up Your Appearance in ZOOM

So now that we’re all showing up on Zoom, it’s worth spending a little time and a little money to present your best self. First tip, “Touch up your Appearance” This Zoom setting is an automatic filter for your self-ie. Simply log into your Zoom account (if you haven’t set up your own — do it now, it’s free) and go to the Video section of the settings.

Next, make sure you’re lit from the front. If you’re using a phone, try this $39.99 Ring Light, which conveniently puts your phone on a mini-tripod, with the ring light around it. You can also just drape it over the screen of your laptop, with the camera inside the ring — though it blocks some of the space on your screen.

Zoom lets you choose your own background, but without a green screen behind you, the effect isn’t great. Get yourself a plain $34.99 green screen and $36.99 backdrop stand or a $160.99 whole studio kit, with lights. The latter is very useful if you’re in a dark room or Zooming at night. There are many similar options on Amazon, just make sure you get a cloth background, not a plastic one.