Which of my lights would be best to use for Skype?

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SweetMk
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p.1 #1 · Which of my lights would be best to use for Skype?

I know this is kind of off topic, but, this pertains to photography lighting.

I have a basement full of lighting stuff that I have used for photography. One day I realized the Skype image we were getting from our out of town daughter was dark.

I had to assume the image we were sending them was also dark. So, the next time we Skyped, I pointed this at the ceiling over the wife and I and the image was amazingly better!!

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(We will do anything so we can watch our 18 month old granddaughter longer!

)

Is there something else I might have that might work better?

Possibly a softbox with a couple CFL's. I could come up with that.

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Thanks for the help, granddaughter time is important, you know!

Jan 10, 2013 at 04:42 PM

saelee
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p.1 #2 · Which of my lights would be best to use for Skype?

I think you are going a little overboard with this. I highly doubt they will notice any difference or care what type of lighting is used. I would just want to make sure it is bright enough and they can see you.

If you want to go all out, use both of them, one for the main light and the other one for hair light.

Jan 10, 2013 at 06:16 PM

SweetMk
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p.1 #3 · Which of my lights would be best to use for Skype?

They can definitely see the difference, we are always nagging them to turn on more lights.

The Skype image ain't perfect, but, it is much better with proper light.

After I figure it out, I will probably ship a duplicate to my daughter!!

Jan 10, 2013 at 06:32 PM

jefferies1
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p.1 #4 · Which of my lights would be best to use for Skype?

Continous light is what you need. From the front and not overhead, at least 75% front and fill overhead is OK.
This link is what you want to view.
It shows lighting for a web cam. Super basic and very effective.
It is under the Blog section, 'Look snazzy on a Webcam'. They are a video hosting company.
http://wistia.com/blog/category/making-video/page/2/

Jan 11, 2013 at 04:54 PM

cgardner
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p.1 #5 · Which of my lights would be best to use for Skype?

The problem with much indoor ambient lighting is that it comes down from the ceiling at such a high angle the brow shades the eyes and they look dark.

Since the facial angle is full to the camera a constant source directly over the lens of the camera at a downward angle of about 45 degrees will get it in your eyes and make for a more flattering, symmetrical rendering. Putting the light to one side or the other would create more shadows, particularly if you turn and face away from it.

Jan 11, 2013 at 05:07 PM

SweetMk
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p.1 #6 · Which of my lights would be best to use for Skype?

That was a great site, thanks!

Well, I will be better prepared for the next Skype.

Now I gotta figure out the maximum watts a Larson Soff Box can handle, I couldn't find any mention of it on their website.

I would imagine it can handle the 85 watt CFL I have, that should kill the eye socket shadows.

Grand babies can be important!!

Jan 12, 2013 at 02:32 AM

visualist
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p.1 #7 · Which of my lights would be best to use for Skype?

http://strobist.blogspot.ch/2007/05/how-to-improve-your-cheapo-webcams.html

Jan 12, 2013 at 03:21 PM

BrianO
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p.1 #8 · Which of my lights would be best to use for Skype?

SweetMk wrote: ...Now I gotta figure out the maximum watts a Larson Soff Box can handle, I couldn't find any mention of it on their website.

Just about any readily-available CFL will be handled by the soft box. If you can touch the bulb with your bare hand for 5 seconds then it's cool enough for continuous use in the box.

Incandescents and halogens would be another matter...they can get HOT!

SweetMk wrote: ...I would imagine it can handle the 85 watt CFL I have, that should kill the eye socket shadows.

For the ultimate in a "compact TV studio," you could use the soft box as your key light, and one of these -- with an external Web cam shooting through it -- as your fill light:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/902821-REG/Interfit_INT339_INTERFIT_RINGLITE_3_FLUORESCENT.html

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Jan 12, 2013 at 08:40 PM

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