Proud Business Productions - Where Should I Look When Talking On Camera? (2024)

When making a video there are 2 common ways to appear on camera. Looking directly into the camera lens and looking off of camera. Which one should you be using and why? Watch the video below or scroll down for some text and GIFs.

Talking Off Of Camera

Looking off of camera is used more in documentary-style videos. The idea is that you are talking to an interviewer who is sitting next to the camera and you can ignore the camera is even there. This may be a good tactic if you’re struggling with your confidence on camera as looking down a lens can be a bit daunting.

If you are filming the video yourself and don’t have anyone to talk to, you can always set a mark to look at using an object in the room like a plant or even taping an X on the wall. This is important as it will keep you looking in the same place even in between takes, keeping consistency between shots.

If you are struggling with your confidence on camera? Check out my top 3 tips to get you comfortable right here.

There are a couple of things to keep in mind when talking off of camera, the first is the framing. You want to move over so that you are in one-third of the frame with the other two-thirds being in front of you. This will help balance the shot.

If I move over to the other 3rd of the frame you can see that there is no looking room in front of my face, this makes it look like I am talking to a brick wall.

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The second point is to not overdo the angle of your face to the camera. Try looking about 6-12 inches away from your camera. This will allow your audience to still see both of your eyes and most of your face. Whereas if you go side on it may look a bit artier but it is harder for the viewer to form a connection with you as they can’t see both of your eyes.

Talking To Camera

The more popular standard at the moment is to talk directly to the camera. In my opinion, this helps build a relationship with your viewer as they feel like you are talking directly to them.

You may feel uncomfortable staring directly into a lens so there are techniques you can try to overcome this such as imagining that one of your customers is standing directly behind the camera.

Another tip is to make sure you can't see the recording screen. If you are using a digital camera with a rotating screen or you are using your phone in selfie mode you will be very tempted to keep looking over at your face, doing this will make your viewer wonder what you are looking at.

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When talking directly into the camera I would recommend that you centre yourself in the frame and have your eyes placed exactly in the top third of the frame. This will draw the viewers eye towards you and help build the connection you are looking for.

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If you need help lining up your frame your phone or camera will have an option to turn on frame guides.

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That’s A Wrap

So to wrap up, it's good to talk off of camera if you are making a documentary or you aren't comfortable talking to a lens. But if you want to create a connection between you and your viewer and you want your viewer to feel like you are talking directly to them, talk to the lens.

What's your preferred method, do you look on or off of camera? Let me know in the comments below. If you've enjoyed this post make sure you subscribe to our YouTube channel to catch all of our weekly videos.

Proud Business Productions - Where Should I Look When Talking On Camera? (2024)

FAQs

Proud Business Productions - Where Should I Look When Talking On Camera? ›

Look Directly into the Camera

Eye contact is established when you look at the camera directly. If it helps, draw a smiley face and put it on your camera to remind you to look in the “eyes” of your audience.

Where should you look when talking to a camera? ›

Look Directly into the Camera

Eye contact is established when you look at the camera directly. If it helps, draw a smiley face and put it on your camera to remind you to look in the “eyes” of your audience.

Where should you look at when filming? ›

A presenter – or an actor in a subjective shot – should look directly at the camera. In a standard interview, they should look at the interviewer (who should be close to the camera) rather than at the lens. For most drama shots, actors should look close to the lens but never directly at it (this is called 'spiking').

How can I look good while talking on my camera? ›

While speaking on camera, we'd advise you to laser-focus on these four points:
  1. Maintain Eye Contact. Don't Look Here & There.
  2. Write Down a Script but Don't Memorize it.
  3. Don't Try to Be Someone You're Not.
  4. Smile.
Aug 22, 2022

Where should you look at someone when talking? ›

Look near the eyes, but not into the eyes.

This is difficult to do if you're too close together. At normal conversation distances, the other person can't tell if you're looking at their eye, nose, or forehead. Pick a spot between the eyes, but just above or below the eyes.

Should you look at or above the camera? ›

Don't look above the camera when you are talking. Your viewers will start wondering whether you are really looking in the lens or not. This distracts and drives your viewer away from the story, something we always want to avoid. Don't look under the camera.

What should you avoid while filming? ›

One of the most common film shooting mistakes is shaky footage. Shaky footage can make your film look amateurish, unprofessional, and distracting. To avoid this, you should always use a tripod whenever possible. A tripod will stabilize your camera and give you smoother and steadier shots.

How to look directly at the camera? ›

When talking directly into the camera I would recommend that you centre yourself in the frame and have your eyes placed exactly in the top third of the frame. This will draw the viewers eye towards you and help build the connection you are looking for. Frame your eyes on the top third line in the frame.

Do you look at the camera or the screen? ›

Look at the camera.

This tactic will mimic the in-person feeling of eye contact. It's important to gauge reactions by looking at the screen, but alternating that with looking at the camera makes the audience feel like you're really talking to them.

How can I look more attractive on my camera? ›

How to Look Better On Camera: 11 Simple Steps
  1. Good Lighting.
  2. Find a Good Angle.
  3. Take Care of Your Skin.
  4. Wear the Right Makeup.
  5. Get a Green Screen.
  6. Wear the Right Clothes.
  7. Focus on Your Posture and Eye Contact.
  8. Look Behind You.

How to look more attractive when talking? ›

If you are flexible, friendly and encouraging, the audience will be more pleasurable about yourself and the content of your speech. However, if you talk about violent, bored or dull, you will have a negative impact on your audience. To make your talking tone more friendly and warm, smile when you speak.

Why do I don't look good in camera? ›

It is important to understand that pictures are a 2-D version of real life. This simply means that photos tend to flatten your features or distort them due to certain angles. Also, since photos store everything, any awkward movement which goes unnoticed in real life is captured for everyone to see.

How to see yourself while filming? ›

Use a mirror. When you're filming your videos, place your phone in front of the mirror. That way, you'll be able to see your face. as using your back camera to record yourself.

What part of the camera do you look at? ›

The viewfinder is one of the most important parts of a camera. It is a rectangular-shaped part at the back of your camera that lets you see and frame your subject. Some viewfinders are fully digital, which shows you various details like your shutter speed, aperture, and ISO before you take the shot.

How to get good at talking to a camera? ›

5 Tips To Improve Your Speaking on Camera
  1. Performance Anxiety Got Your Tongue? ...
  2. Get Comfortable Before Speaking On Camera. ...
  3. Breathe & Relax to Reduce Performance Anxiety. ...
  4. Mind Your Body Language. ...
  5. Build a Good Support Network. ...
  6. Know What You're Going to Say. ...
  7. Imagine a Friendly Face.

Should I look at the webcam or the screen? ›

Make it a point to look directly into the camera, rather than your computer screen. Looking anywhere else—even at the interviewer—makes it seem like you're paying attention to someone or something else. Hide your “self view” to resist the temptation to check yourself out.

Where do you look when talking a selfie? ›

Look into the lens straight on to avoid shifty eyes.

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