I am asked quite often for some tips about how to look good on a webcam. Of course a webcam will never replace a proper camera, but with a bit of preparation and thinking, the experience can be much better:
Setting Up Your Room and Camera
Room Considerations:
Make the room as quiet as possible. Turn off anything that produces unwanted sound such as air conditioning, water coolers, or overhead lights that produce a hum; the microphones will pick up those noises.
Camera:
Avoid a cluttered background to ensure that your viewer’s attention remains focused on you. If you are speaking on behalf of an organization, it can be nice to have a backdrop of that organization in the frame (see example below:)
Keep the camera at eye level. A camera placed looking up at your face creates an unflattering image. If you have a standing desk, adjust the height accordingly. Otherwise you can use books or another level surface to raise the camera up to eye level (see example below:)
In case you are using a laptop or a phone, using a pile of books helps to make the camera at the right level. Note that when using a phone it is important to keep the device horizontally.
Lighting
Use soft, evenly balanced light such as a simple desk lamp with soft-white bulb. Consider use of a lamp shade or paper cut-outs to diffuse the light.
DO keep the light source facing you. DO NOT place the main light source behind you. Back lighting subjects will be silhouetted and in shadow (see example below:).
Audio
Good quality audio is just as important as the video quality. Consider using a quality USB microphone or use a headphone mic.
Position microphone in front of you at roughly a half arm length away.
If using the computer microphone, check the settings of the microphone to make sure they are at their highest sensitivity.