Here’s my recommendation for a light that costs less than $35 that will help you look great in your zoom meetings.
Teachers, educators, CEOs… well almost everyone is planning on doing more video conferencing and teaching online this coming year. And they are all looking to improve whatever dark corner of their house they wedged their desk in to. Probably between the downstairs bathroom and the bin with the stinky shoes in it.
They all have the same problem. Their video looks like crap. Mostly because they have not added any extra light. Here’s a solution. Get one of those paper lanterns, and a bright bulb and hang it above and behind your camera, laptop, iPad, or whatever.
Here’s what I would suggest.
$7.65
18 Inch China Ball / Paper Lantern
$9.49
12′ Hanging Lantern Cord with On/Off Switch
I set up a quick example in my home office stuck in the side of our bedroom.
Here’s what I look like with the light off.

And this is the light on.

And here’s what it looks like with my iPad.

It would look a lot better if I didn’t have a black bookcase behind my head.