How Lighting Affects Your Video Quality in Conference Calls

How Lighting Impacts Video Call Performance 

Behind every "My video looks terrible" ticket, there's a chain of technical factors to consider. While checking camera settings and network conditions might be your first instinct, lighting issues often create a cascade of video quality problems that affect everything from bandwidth usage to system performance.

Good Lighting Uses Less Network Data

Poor lighting forces video compression algorithms to work harder, potentially increasing bandwidth usage and degrading video quality. When users are properly lit, their video stream requires less processing power to maintain clarity, resulting in more stable calls and fewer quality-related support tickets. Good lighting helps your video conferencing system perform at its best, reducing the strain on both hardware and network resources.

Clear Light Helps Find Real Problems

Clear lighting makes it easier to diagnose other technical issues during video conference calls. When users complain about video quality, proper lighting helps you distinguish between genuine hardware/software problems and simple lighting setup issues. This can significantly reduce troubleshooting time and help you provide more accurate solutions to end users.

Good Lighting Works on Any Device

From a systems perspective, good lighting helps maintain consistent video quality across different devices and platforms. Whether users are on laptops, tablets, or conference room systems, proper lighting ensures that auto-exposure and white balance features work as intended. This translates to fewer support calls about "looking dark" or "washed out" on different devices.

What Types of Lighting Are Best for Video Conference Calls? 

Natural Light: Zero-Cost but Variable

Natural light is a great option because it's free and provides excellent lighting quality. It's especially useful for people who have limited budgets or don't want to deal with setting up extra equipment. Most cameras work well with natural light, needing only minor adjustments to look good.

However, natural light does have its downsides. As the sun moves or clouds pass by, the lighting can suddenly change, which can be a problem during video calls. These shifts can cause your camera to keep adjusting, leading to flickering or shifts in brightness that might be annoying and result in tech support issues. Windows aren't always in the best spot for your desk setup, making it tricky to rely on natural light alone.

Artificial Light Solutions: Controlled but Hardware-Dependent

1. LED Implementation: LED lighting systems offer precise control over brightness and color temperature through digital interfaces. Key advantages include:

● Low power consumption (3-15W for most video call setups)

● Long lifespan (30,000+ hours)

● Minimal heat output

● Quick response to adjustments

● Compatible with most surge protectors and UPS systems

Ring lights and LED panels can be USB-powered, reducing installation complexity and power management issues.

2. Softbox Configuration: For conference rooms or dedicated video spaces, softbox lighting provides enterprise-grade illumination control. Technical considerations include:

● Power requirements (typically 65-150W per unit)

● Heat management needs

● Larger space requirements for optimal diffusion

● More complex installation process

● Better control over light spread and intensity

For video conference calls, LED ring lights or panels are your best bet. If you're setting up a conference room where multiple people need to be on camera, softbox lights are worth the extra investment—they light up larger spaces evenly and make everyone look clear on video. While natural light from windows is free and can look great, don't rely on it alone because it changes throughout the day.

How to Set Up Lighting for Optimal Video Quality 

For IT support teams, configuring proper lighting isn't just about aesthetics—it's about helping your webcam capture the clearest possible image. Here's how to set up your lighting to improve your video call experience.

Method 1: Point the Light at Your Face

Camera sensors perform best when they can clearly detect facial features and edges. Position your main light source to face the user, creating even illumination that helps the camera's auto-focus and exposure systems work efficiently. For natural light setups, have users face windows directly to reduce shadow artifacts. With artificial lighting, mount lights slightly above eye level, angled at 35-45 degrees for optimal camera exposure.

Method 2: Don't Sit in Front of Windows or Bright Lights

Backlighting is one of the most common causes of poor video quality—when bright light sources behind users force camera sensors to underexpose faces. To prevent this, scan the camera preview for any bright light sources in the background. If users can't relocate, implement supplementary front lighting to balance exposure levels. This helps prevent the camera from constantly adjusting its exposure settings during Zoom conference calls.

Method 3: Use Diffusers to Make Harsh Lights Softer

Direct light can overwhelm camera sensors and create harsh contrasts. Diffusers help by spreading light evenly across the frame, reducing hot spots that trigger auto-exposure adjustments. For budget setups, even a semi-transparent shower curtain or parchment paper can diffuse LED lights effectively. Professional diffusion panels provide more consistent results for permanent installations.

Method 4: Add Reflectors to Brighten Dark Areas

Reflectors help fill shadows that cameras might interpret as dark spots, causing unwanted gain adjustments. Position reflective surfaces opposite the main light source to bounce fill light onto shadowed areas. For quick deployments, a white foam board or even a light-colored wall can serve as an effective reflector. This helps maintain consistent exposure across the entire frame, reducing camera hunting and auto-adjustment issues.

Good lighting helps your cameras perform at their best, resulting in fewer support tickets about video quality issues. Attention to these details ensures that you are seen clearly and favorably, regardless of your environment.

Common Lighting Problems and Quick Fixes 

Problem #1: "Everything Looks Too Bright"

What users report: "I look washed out" or "My face is too bright"

What's happening: Think of your camera like an eye—when there's too much light, it gets overwhelmed. Just like how you might squint in bright sunlight, your camera struggles to show detail when there's too much light. This makes everything look pale and washed out, like an overexposed photograph.

How to fix it:

Move your lights further away from your face—even moving them back a few feet can help a lot. If you're using adjustable lights, turn down their brightness. An easy trick is to hang a thin white curtain or sheet between you and the light to soften it. If these steps don't help, you might need to adjust your camera's brightness settings.

Problem #2: "Parts of My Face Are Too Dark"

What users report: "Half my face is in shadow" or "The shadows look weird"

What's happening: Your camera is playing tug-of-war with bright and dark areas. When the light comes from just one direction, it creates harsh shadows that your camera can't balance out—just like taking a photo half in the sun and half in the shade.

How to fix it:

The easiest fix is to add more light to the shadowy areas. Set up a second lamp at an angle, or use something white (even a piece of poster board works) to bounce light back onto the shadows. Try raising your main light a bit higher than your head and slightly to one side. For the best results, use lights that spread their glow evenly, like a lamp with a lampshade instead of a bare bulb.

Problem #3: "My Video Keeps Changing Brightness"

What users report: "My image keeps getting darker and lighter"

What's happening: Your camera is constantly trying to adjust to changing light, like how your eyes keep adjusting when clouds pass over the sun. Every time the light changes, your camera tries to compensate, making your video look unsteady.

How to fix it:

Start by blocking out changing natural light—close those blinds or curtains. Then, set up steady artificial lighting that won't change during your call. If you can't move away from windows, try positioning yourself so the changing light affects you less. Some cameras let you lock in your brightness settings—this can help if the auto-adjustments are too aggressive.

Problem #4: "I Look Like a Shadow"

What users report: "My face is dark" or "I'm just a silhouette"

What's happening: This classic problem happens when the brightest light is behind you. Your camera sees that bright background and dims everything else, turning you into a shadow. It's like trying to see someone's face when they're standing in front of a bright window.

How to fix it:

The best solution is to flip your setup around—face the window instead of having it behind you. If you can't rearrange your space, put a lamp in front of you to brighten up your face. Closing blinds during bright parts of the day helps too. Some cameras have a "backlight" setting that can help, but adding more light to your face usually works better.

Good lighting doesn't have to be complicated. Start with these simple fixes, and you'll solve the most common video call lighting problems.

Choose the Right Light Color for a Better Video Conference Call

As IT support, you'll want to know how light color affects video quality—it's simpler than it sounds. Think of light colors like coffee temperature: some lights are "warm" (like a cozy yellow lamp), while others are "cool" (like bright office lighting). Here's what you need to know when helping users set up their video calls:

Warm Light (2700K-3000K)

Think of the yellowish glow from traditional light bulbs. While this light feels cozy, it can make the video look too yellow and might make skin tones appear unnatural on camera.

Natural Light (4000K-4500K)

This is your sweet spot for most video calls. It's like the balanced light you get on a cloudy day—not too warm, not too cool. The colors look natural, and the cameras handle this light really well. Recommend this range when users ask for the best setting for their LED lights.

Cool Light (5000K-6500K)

This is similar to bright daylight or office lighting. It's great for detail work but can look harsh on video. If users are in rooms with lots of windows, suggest lights in this range to match the daylight—otherwise, their camera might struggle with mixed lighting temperatures.

Quick Tip: When users complain about looking "too orange" or "too blue" on camera, checking their light color temperature is often the quickest fix.

Make Your Video Calls Look Professional

Better lighting can transform the quality of your video calls, making every meeting more effective and professional. By following the lighting principles we've covered—from proper positioning to avoiding common pitfalls—you'll create an environment that helps your camera capture you at your best. And while good lighting is essential, pairing it with the right camera can take your video calls to the next level.

For example, if your team needs to support group video conferences, consider a solution like the Nuroum 360 Pro. Its wide-angle HD fisheye lenses work especially well with proper lighting setups, and its AI-powered modes can automatically adjust to different lighting scenarios. Whether you're lighting a single person or a whole conference room, the key is to create consistent, clear illumination that helps your camera—whatever type you're using—deliver the best possible image.

Good lighting isn't just about looking better—it's about clearer communication and more productive meetings. Take time to optimize your setup today, and you'll see the difference in every call.