In today’s digital age, most people have multiple screens in their homes, from TVs to desktop monitors. These screens can be more than just passive displays for entertainment and work – they can also serve as makeshift ring lights. This guide will teach you how to transform your monitor or TV into an effective ring light, perfect for enhancing video calls, photos, and videos.

Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace

Before setting up your screen as a ring light, you need to ensure your workspace is properly arranged. Position your desk or chair at a reasonable distance from your monitor or TV so that it can shine onto your face without straining your eyes. You might also want to set up a mount for your phone or camera so that you can comfortably use the makeshift ring light without obstructing the view of the screen.

Step 2: Choose a White Background

One of the key factors in creating an effective ring light is choosing a white background for your screen. Open a new window in your browser and search for “plain white image” or “white background.” Maximize this window and set it as the primary display on your screen.

Step 3: Adjust Screen Brightness

Now that you have a white background displayed on your monitor or TV, adjust its brightness to create the desired lighting effect. This may require some trial and error; keep in mind that higher brightness levels may result in harsh shadows, while lower levels may not provide sufficient lighting.

Step 4: Customize Screen Settings

Experiment with different settings on your monitor or TV to achieve an optimal lighting effect. You might need to adjust contrast, color temperature, and saturation settings until you find the perfect combination of settings to produce the desired effect.

Step 5: Position Your Face

To make the most of your improvised ring light, position yourself so that the light evenly illuminates your face. Try angling your chin slightly up, down, or to the side in order to find the best angle that showcases your features. Don’t be afraid to move around and adjust your positioning to find the right look.

Step 6: Test Your Setup

Take a few test shots or try participating in a video call to see how effective your makeshift ring light is. If needed, fine-tune screen settings, brightness, or your position until you achieve the desired effect.

Conclusion

Transforming your monitor or TV into an impromptu ring light is a cost-effective and innovative solution to improving the lighting for your video calls and creative projects. Better yet, it’s a temporary setup that doesn’t require a significant investment in equipment — all you need is an available screen and a little ingenuity!