Perfect your lighting setup for virtual comedy shows with these do's and don'ts! Learn how to improve your lighting for better online performances and connect with your audience like never before.
DO's:
1. Prioritize Natural Light:
Whenever possible, make use of natural light. Position yourself facing a window or a natural light source. Natural light provides a soft and flattering illumination that's easy on the eyes and adds a professional touch to your performance.
2. Use Multiple Light Sources:
Incorporate a combination of light sources to avoid harsh shadows and create a balanced lighting setup. Consider using a ring light as a main light source, a simple table lamp as a secondary light to soften shadows, and another simple table lamp as a backlight to separate you from the background. This setup will ensure even and flattering lighting, perfect for your online comedy show.
3. Invest in Adjustable Lighting Equipment:
Opt for adjustable LED lights with variable color temperature and intensity settings. This allows you to match the lighting to your environment and create the desired mood for your performance. Since your natural lighting from the window will diminish at night, opt for lamps that have multiple settings and a ring light with a dimmer switch for the perfect glow.
4. Control Your Background Lighting:
Ensure that your background isn't overly bright or distracting. Use backlighting or accent lights to highlight the background elements without stealing the spotlight. If your back lighting is too bright, it could cast creepy shadows onto your face. Remember how you look when you hold a flashlight underneath your chin? Yikes!
5. Experiment with Lighting Angles:
Test different lighting angles to find the most flattering one for your face and setup. A slightly angled light source positioned about 45 degrees above your eye level, works well to minimize unflattering shadows.
DON'Ts:
1. Don’t Have Your Back To The Window:
Avoid positioning yourself with a window behind you. Backlighting makes you appear dark and hard to see. It’s especially important if you’re using a virtual background – too much backlight will make it look ghostly!
2. Don’t Have Direct Overhead Lighting:
Overhead lighting casts harsh shadows on your face, making you appear tired or washed out. Position the light source at an angle in front of you to avoid these unflattering effects. Lighting such as this is one reason why supermarkets and big box stores aren’t ideal for singles meetups. Direct overhead lighting is the same “ewe” lights the bartender turns on to get those last few people out of the club at 3am.
3. Don’t Use Harsh Lighting:
Harsh, direct lighting can create intense shadows and highlight imperfections. Soft, diffused lighting is much more forgiving and pleasant to look at. It’s like creating your own Instagram filter in real life!
4. Don’t Mix Color Temperatures:
Avoid using lights with different color temperatures. This can lead to a messy and unprofessional look. Stick to lights that have consistent color temperature to maintain a cohesive appearance. Example: Don't use the fluorescent kitchen or closet light and Christmas lights together.
5. Don't Ignore Your Webcam Settings:
Your webcam's auto-adjustment might interfere with your lighting efforts. Manually adjust settings like exposure, white balance, and focus to ensure your camera captures your lighting setup accurately. Always test your lighting with the camera on to fine-tune your look!
6. Don’t Clutter Your Background:
Even with great lighting, a cluttered or messy background can distract your audience. Keep your performance area clean and uncluttered to maintain a professional appearance. No one wants to see your laundry pile or your collection of quirky mugs!
Ready to step up your lighting game?
Create a test show on Plauzzable to experiment with your lighting and see how you look on camera before your next performance. By following these virtual performance lighting tips, you’ll be well on your way to wowing your audience with your professional setup and comedic talent.
Virtual performances are all about creating an immersive experience for your viewers. By perfecting your lighting, you can elevate your online comedy show and captivate your audience like never before. So, light up that virtual stage and let your brilliance shine through!
Check out our guide on mastering online comedy for more tips to improve your virtual shows!
Written by
Plauzzable