I bought a $15 ring light to use with my webcam. I wish I’d done it sooner
A few weeks ago, when I was preparing to live this week in the Windows Windows Windows Windows video podcast, the studio engineer of Twit said that my configuration of microphone and webcam looked great. I mentioned that I also used a light. “I can say it,” he said.
A good image depends more than your webcam. The lighting is critical and can make the difference between an ad hoc amateur look and a professional look. Natural lighting can be difficult to undertake, especially because it moves during the day, with cloudy coverage, time, etc. And even in a well -lit room, all your lamps may not provide the amount of light you need for your face.
Annular light is the ultimate solution Because it is so inexpensive, so easy to use and so versatile whatever your configuration. You do not need AI lighting effects, you don’t have to rethink the layout of your home office, and you do not have to learn (and buy) all kinds of expensive AV equipment.
I bought this light from the 5 -inch Neewer ring on Amazon and I love it. It only cost me about $ 15 – the price fluctuates with sales and coupons on the page – and it was really worth it. Powered via USB, I just have to connect it to my PC or any USB charger and it’s good to go. There is a clever remote control on the cable that allows me to control the brightness and the color temperature, and it remembers these parameters between the uses. Once I have configured it as I like, I only pressed the power button to activate and turn it off.
Chris Hoffman / Foundry
This annular Neewer also came with a small practical office support so that I can support it where I want, and it has a ball joint so that I can adjust the angle as I need. Don’t want to use a stand? You can also cut it at the top of the display or laptop screen of your PC. I prefer it on the stand because I can adjust it on the side and not look at it directly.
In fact, as a person who has glasses, I noticed that the reflection of the light of the ring was visible in my glasses. Not a big fan of this look, I ended up buying this Neewer light support for about $ 25 to be able to mount the light of the ring and get it above eye level. By winning it, it lights up in a more natural way and does not show reflection.
Chris Hoffman / Foundry
And that’s it! These are the keys to my video recording configuration: a professional level microphone, a high quality 4K webcam and inexpensive annular light. Whether you participate in zoom video meetings or the recording of YouTube videos and live flows, the right lighting will help you to appear better. I can prove it!
In fact, I appeared on Windows Weekly twice – and the second time, I was in a basement during a road trip with fluorescent lighting and no ring light. Same webcam! See the image below for comparison:
Chris Hoffman / Foundry
In short, if you appear frequently on the webcam but you do not have a good lighting configuration, I strongly recommend entering a Light of Ring Neewer cheap. The impact is enormous for the little it costs.
Take this light from the 5 -inch Neewer ring for only $ 15
