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We are pleased to offer you, as a valued CameraWare user, this tutorial
dedicated to helping you look your best on camera!
The purpose of this tutorial is to make your CameraWare experience
more enjoyable for you and those who view you.
Following these simple steps will ensure that your broadcast
is the very best it can be!
There are quite a few issues which can affect the
quality of your broadcast while you are on camera.
It doesn't matter how expensive your camera is.
Position, lighting, clothing, movement, posing, backdrop...
each of these can either make or break the quality
of your broadcast.
In the sections below, we will illustrate many of the common mistakes in
Internet video live webcam broadcasting and show you how to avoid them.
Are you ready? Then let's get started!
In essence, a camera is simply a device for
detecting and registering light.
Therefore, it should come as no surprise that one of the first
rules of good video broadcasting is to make sure all participants are well lit.
We cannot stress this enough. Even inexpensive webcams can
produce superior-quality images with the right lighting.
Three words: halogen construction lights! Available at
most any hardware store, these lights will produce striking results.
Simply aiming several of these lights at key spots on your wall
and ceiling creates excellent lighting for your broadcast.
If you prefer fluorescent lighting, be sure to get "full-spectrum" lights.
Full-spectrum tubes just cost a dollar or two more than regular
tubes and will greatly improve your image.
Halogen, however, will make the biggest difference.
If you are inexperienced, it may take you some time to
determine the best location for your lights
so they do not cast unwanted shadows.
There are many acceptable locations in which a light
source can be directed and placed.
These are discussed in detail below.
The direction of the light relative to your camera's
position is extremely important,
affecting the shadows within your broadcast image.
 Illumination can be direct or diffused.
Direct light--light coming mainly from one source--produces a relatively
high contrast between bright highlights and dark shadows. Diffused
light--light that bounces onto the subject from several directions--reduces this contrast.
Contrast itself affects the brilliance of colors and the amount of texture
and detail visible to the camera.
You can use light to create many different moods. Even the most subtle
variations in lightning can make an image ominous or airy, glowing or
velvety dark, harsh or soft. Insufficient lighting will cause your image
to develop "video noise" (tiny pixel clusters that look like static),
especially in darker areas of the picture.
Four main types of lighting are illustrated here:
backlighting, sidelighting, frontlighting, and toplighting.
Each of these affects the quality of the image broadcast
in different ways.
Backlighting--light that comes only from behind the subject--darkens
the side of the subject that is facing the camera.
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Bad -- This angle of backlighting creates a harsh glare
on the shoulder, hair, and seat back. Aiming the light at the
ceiling reduces this glare.
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Good -- Great example of correct toplighting
positioning. Notice there are no shadows. The eyes are bright, the skin is
glowing.
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Sidelighting casts shadows on half of the subject.
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Bad -- This sidelighting position yields a washed-out
look to the face.
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Good -- Example of correct
sidelighting positioning. The face is illuminated showing
excellent color and texture.
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Frontlighting is directed to the front of the subject.
If not positioned properly, frontlighting may make the
colors look less intense, with a washed-out appearance.
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Bad -- Positioning of this
frontlighting washes out the face
and skin tones.
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Good -- Great example of
correct frontlighting. The face is illuminated, showing
good color and texture.
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Toplighting comes directly from above. It immediately
draws attention to the subject's face and can cause
dark shadows in the eyes. On the other hand, some feel
it is well worth their while to play around with this
illumination technique in order to create different moods and effects.
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Bad -- Positioning of toplighting is bad.
Notice the shadows under the nose and the washed-out complexion.
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Good -- Great example of
correct toplighting positioning. Notice there are no shadows.
Again, the eyes are bright, the skin is glowing.
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There are many other factors that will affect the quality of your
webcam video broadcast. See the examples below for detailed
comparisons.
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Bad -- Light from a background
window blurs the subject's outline and is unpleasant to look at.
This also creates a larger image file size, causing video
transmission to be slower.
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Good -- Heavy curtains or
blinds reduce the glare from a bright window. The image is
clearer, and video will broadcast more efficiently.
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After setting up the camera, study a few images yourself.
What is in the shot? Is there any clutter detracting from
the intended focus of the image? Is there something you can
do to make your broadcast more exciting?
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Bad -- Positioning of
this camera is poor and too far from the subject. Also the
background is extremely busy and cluttered.
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Good -- Better
positioning of the camera brings the subject closer,
producing a more appealing video image.
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Consider a simple background to both increase quality
and decrease file size. The more data you transmit,
the larger the file size will be and the slower the
transmission. Remember, a simple background is an
efficient background!
If there are contrasts in your background (opposing colors),
this will increase your file size. Choose smooth, dark backgrounds.
You do not need to spend a fortune on backdrops. A fabric warehouse
is an excellent place to find a nice, big, black sheet. Dark material
is very effective in producing a great image and filtering out visual noise or clutter.
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Bad -- A busy
background detracts from the subject. Uncluttered backgrounds produce
better-quality images.
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Good --
Great example of a simple background. Video image is clear and uncluttered,
producing a faster broadcast.
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The clothes you choose and the
movements you make directly affect the image that you
are sending. The camera sees white shirts and bright
jewelry as glaring. Don't wear bright reds, bold plaids,
or busy prints. Black will make you
look deathly pale, and a bulky or baggy outfit will make
you look much heavier than you are.
Wear dark, solid colors. Solid areas of color are easier for the
camera, computer, and network to process and broadcast.
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Bad -- A busy
shirt draws attention away from the subject. Solid colors allow for
more efficient broadcasting.
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Good --
Example of subject wearing a solid shirt. Attention is drawn to the subject,
not to the shirt.
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Look for the best angle!! We all look better from
different angles. Faces, especially, change dramatically when the
point of view changes. Instead of shooting head-on, try to find the
angle that brings out the best in you!! Slow, graceful movements are
best when broadcasting, so be mindful to reduce the number of quick,
sudden motions you make.
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Bad -- Body
language is very important. A cheerful cam is a watched cam!
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Good --
Smiley people are watched far more than dull, boring subjects, so
remember to smile! ;)
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Many people mistakenly believe that
light from a computer's monitor is sufficent for a decent broadcast.
It may look that way on the sending end, but notice the image below
and the "ghoulish" effect, as compared to the other image which is
bright and clear.
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Bad --
Light from a computer's monitor gives the person on camera a ghostly
pallor. Image tends to be grainy due to the low light.
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Good --
Notice the difference in a broadcast image that is well-lit. Face is
bright and skin tones are natural.
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Lights strategically placed on both
sides of the subject and pointed towards the ceiling produce
an excellent broadcast image.
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Bad -- This example of
lighting is with a single light on the side of the subject.
Notice the shadows on the face and dull skin tones.
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Good --
This example is with two lights behind the computer's monitor
aiming off the subject. Notice the good skin tones
and no shadows on the subject's face.
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As you can see, it all comes down to lighting and a few basic
concepts such as simplicity, positioning, background, clothing and
angle. Experiment to see which elements produce the best results for
you. We hope this tutorial has been helpful.
Enjoy CameraWare!
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