Begin a video chat with yourself by starting a meeting without inviting anyone else. That way, you can see if and how much each adjustment changes how you look. Save the ones you like as you go through the process.

Camera lenses can get dirty, so use a microfiber cloth to give yours a wipe to remove any dust and fingerprints. Lighting can make a big difference, and natural light is best when it’s available. Your light source should come from in front of you or to the side, never from behind. Face a window or place a shaded lamp in front of you, slightly to one side. Adjust the blinds if direct sunlight is too strong. But you can go further. The options available depend on your device’s age, camera quality and software.

For everyday video calls, you want a 1080p camera and a Full HD (1080p) screen. Adjusting the camera’s brightness and contrast to suit your lighting can improve the picture.

If you use a Windows 11 laptop, open Settings, choose Bluetooth & devices, then Cameras and select your camera. The available controls depend on the camera, but may include brightness, contrast and color saturation. Increase brightness if your face looks too dark. Adjust contrast to change the difference between light and dark areas.

These instructions also apply to an all-in-one Windows 11 desktop, where the computer and screen are housed together. Settings are specific to the camera being used. Your calling app may override some Windows settings, so its own controls are worth checking as well.

If you use a Mac laptop with an Apple M-series chip running macOS Sonoma 14 or later, try Studio Light. During your call, click the Video icon in the menu bar and choose Studio Light. It brightens your face and dims the background. Click the arrow beside it to adjust the intensity.

Apple’s newer Edge Light feature uses the screen itself to illuminate your face by adding a bright border around its edges, similar to a ring light. It is included with macOS Tahoe 26.2 or later on Macs with an Apple M-series chip, including MacBooks and iMacs. Choose Edge Light from the Video menu and use its controls to adjust brightness and color temperature.

If you use a laptop connected to an external monitor, Edge Light’s location depends on which camera you use. With the MacBook’s built-in camera, the light appears on the laptop screen. With the monitor’s camera or a separate webcam, it appears on the Mac’s primary display. To use the monitor for lighting, make it the primary display in System Settings under Displays.

Your video-calling platform provides another set of adjustments that work across computer setups. In the Zoom desktop app, open Settings, then Video & effects and the Camera tab. Turn on Adjust for low light to brighten a dark picture. Choose Auto or use Manual to set the amount yourself. Portrait lighting brightens your face while dimming the background.

In the same Zoom section, you can turn on HD video to use a higher video resolution when your camera and account support it. Your connection needs enough bandwidth to maintain the higher quality.

In the Microsoft Teams desktop app, open Settings, then Devices. Under video settings, turn on Adjust brightness to improve your picture in low light. Soft focus smooths your appearance. These two features are not available when you use Teams in a web browser.

If there is still room for improvement, you can add a separate webcam to your existing setup. Look for a 1080p model with autofocus and automatic light correction. With the adjustments above, you should experience better video calls without replacing your computer or monitor.

Leslie Meredith has been writing about technology for more than a decade. As a mom of four, value, usefulness and online safety take priority. Have a question? Email Leslie at asklesliemeredith@gmail.com.