Video Tips for Candid Conversations

We are so happy you can participate in Candid Conversations, a video series with Dr. Dele Davies and UNMC Graduate Students of Distinction.

Before you meet with Dr. Davies, make sure you have the latest version of Zoom on your computer. It has a lot of options for lighting, touch-up appearance, etc. You can also choose to blur your background instead of having a virtual background.

Here are a few tips for the recording over Zoom:

Appearance

•  DO wear solid colors
  Stripes, patterns and graphics can be distracting. Solid neutral or deep colors, soft blues or grays, and browns will work best.
•  DO NOT wear white
  White tends to become blown out on camera if we need to make lighting adjustment post production. Darker colors are also more flattering.
•  DO lightly blot your face with a tissue
  Dabbing your forehead with a cloth right before you start filming will ensure you don't appear shiny on camera.
•  DO NOT wear the same color as your background
  Having clothes that are a similar color as what is behind you will make you blend in too much with your background. It can also cause problems if you are using a virtual background.

Lighting

•  DO have a light in front of you
  To make sure your face is nicely lit, have a light source right in front of you or no more than 45 degrees away from directly in front of you. Warm or natural lighting works best, so if possible, open your window shades or use a light with a "warm" lightbulb.
•  DO NOT sit with your back to the window
  This will cause your face to be in shadow and make it harder to see you. Instead, face the window, which will give you soft, flattering light.

Camera

•  DO raise your camera to eye level
  Make sure your camera is at the same level as your eyes. Having it below your eyes is unflattering -- no one wants to be "Look-up-my-nostrils person"
•  DO NOT sit too close or too far away
  Be centered in the camera frame and make sure your shoulders are visible and the top of your head isn't cut off.

Background

•  DO have a simple, uncluttered background
  You want people focusing on your face, not on what's behind you. So make sure whatever is behind you is uncluttered (the blur feature in Zoom is helpful to cut out distractions).
•  DO NOT use a busy virtual background
  Virtual backgrounds that are slightly blurred look more natural and allow you to stand out from the background. We have a few options you can choose from, so contact us if you need a virtual background.