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| OHCC LIVING | AUGUST 2020 | 15 Our Life On Zoom We sure miss the LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION. In a heartbeat, our lives seem to have shrunk to our computer screens. Thank goodness for invitations to Zoom Video Conferences. Join for free with a click. Only two things really matter in Zoom: Can we see you and can we hear you?… Enter AV with some tips from our chiefs. VIDEO: Check your own video appearance. Tilt your camera/ device to adjust your face position. If your background is cluttered or distracting, try using far less light behind you, OR a virtual background (found in video ^ menu). A "green screen" attached to your chair will hide everything and you can change the color. LIGHTING: Have you ever noticed that some people's faces are easier to see, and some are just dark shadows? We want to see your face, not your room. So, try to aim all the light at the front of your face. The best lighting is two lights. on either side of your computer, both angled toward your face (as opposed to a bright light right in your eyes). If you can sit partially facing a window, diffused natural daylight can be more flattering. (But light behind you turns you into a spooky silhouette.) AUDIO: We really need to hear you clearly. Audio settings are located in the ^ menu next to the mic icon (or tap three dots on mobile device). UNCHECK "automatically adjust microphone volume." With that unchecked, you can set the microphone and speaker volumes separately. If raising the volume doesn't help, consider buying an external USB mic. This will allow you to have the mic closer to your mouth. (cost $20 and up). To use it in zoom, "choose" your new mic in zoom audio settings. GENERAL TIPS: No mic or camera in your computer? Buy a webcam. They plug right into your USB port. Well worth the $30 - $100. Fair warning: MUTE your MIC, if you plan to rustle papers, chew potato chips, or stub your toe. Also, START your VIDEO, unless you have someone in your house who might walk behind you in their underwear. (See controls, lower left) These few changes can make the video conferencing so much more enjoyable. Aren't we lucky that we have a way to stay connected! AV Committee

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