Lighting

Overhead lighting is best for videoconferencing.

If indirect light is used in a videoconference, the participants tend to appear silhouetted. It is important to make sure that window coverings are closed, so indirect light from outdoors does not cause silhouetting.

Full-spectrum fluorescent light bulbs are recommended as opposed to standard fluorescent light bulbs. Full-spectrum light bulbs provide the most natural lighting, allowing you, and the camera, to see true colors and making skin tones appear healthy and realistic.

Conference Tables

Stay away from extremely dark or light colored tabletops. A neutral color, such as a blue-gray tone or a medium oak, works best. The camera cannot adjust correctly if it is aimed at a tabletop made out of a reflective material such as chrome or glass. Bright white or dark wood tabletops create dramatic contrast, which appear as glowing areas or completely black areas on camera.

Cameras prefer a blue background. The background color should not be too light or too dark. Robin's-egg blue is the ideal color for background color in video. This can be achieved through paint, wallpaper, or a curtain. If you decide to use paint, make sure it is a flat paint that will not be reflective. The key to a good background is to provide adequate contrast on camera to the participants' skin tones and clothing.

Solid colors are best for backgrounds, tables, and the participants' clothing. Multiple colors or busy patterns can cause the cameras to continuously adjust for focus, contrast, and light control.

before blue backdrop

• Room is distracting over video without a solid background.
• Room has a warehouse look with busy bookshelves in the background.
• Camera is unable to focus accurately because background is not optimal.
• Skin tones would appear washed out against this background.

after blue backdrop

• Background is clean, without distractions.
• Curtain encloses videoconferencing area and eliminates extra room depth.
• Video camera will be able to adjust correctly.
• Skin tones will appear natural against the robin's-egg blue background.

Clothing: What to Wear

It is best to wear solid colors without patterns while you are on camera. You do not want to cause a visual distraction; instead, you want the remote participants to concentrate on what you're saying, not what you're wearing. Wild patterns can cause the camera to keep refocusing. Avoid bright whites and reds, as these will appear to blur or flash on camera. Do not wear a color that matches your skin color; this will cause you to look washed out.

Unprofessional Look

• clutter on desk
• excessive jewelry
• loud red pattern
  on clothing
• bright white shirt

Professional Look

• no clutter
• minimal jewelry
• solid color clothing
• clothing color is a good contrast with skin tone

Bretford's Guide to Planning a Video Conference Room

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