As filmmaker David Tan explains, “The general guiding principle is that, for the most flattering light, you want your light source to be bigger and softer.” Cinematographer Will Dorrien-Smith agrees, noting the best place to sit is facing a window, “so that your whole face is lit, with a simple background with depth behind you.” (Never sit with a window behind you, though, because you don’t want to be backlit.) To look your best on Zoom, you’ll want to seek out natural light, which, according to the filmmakers, videographers, and television producers we spoke to, is always going to be the best way to illuminate yourself on a video call. So it’s safe to say that video calls aren’t going anywhere.
Even though offices are opening up again, many people will continue to work from home for the foreseeable future.
