Introduction
With remote working and virtual meetings gaining popularity, Zoom has become the go-to platform for video conferencing. However, a busy or cluttered background can be distracting, and might not send a professional image. Zoom allows you to blur your background, creating a professional and distraction-free setting. In this article, we will guide you in how to blur background in Zoom and provide tips to help you achieve the perfect setting for your needs.
Tips for Choosing the Perfect Virtual Background for Your Zoom Meeting
While blur helps to de-clutter your background, selecting a virtual background helps set the right tone for your meeting. Selecting the perfect virtual background can be an art, and with practice, you can master the technique. Here are a few tips:
Tips on optimizing settings to achieve the perfect blur
- Check your internet connection: A poor connection can result in a lag in your video and stutters in your audio. To enjoy an optimal performance, update your internet connection to a fiber optic network.
- Find a brightly lit room: Bright light enhances the clarity of your video, and you can use natural light or artificial light sources for this. Make sure that the light does not reflect in the camera lens, causing glare or distortion in your video quality.
- Choose a high-quality camera: Zoom offers settings for resolution quality, and to achieve the perfect virtual backgrounds, you must ensure high resolution.
Ideas for virtual backgrounds that work well for various purposes
Selecting the perfect virtual background can be tricky, but here are a few examples of backgrounds that make for an interesting setting:
- Plain or gradient colors
- Nature scenes
- Abstract patterns & shapes
- Cultural and historical landmarks
Comprehensive Guide to Various Options for Blurring Your Background in Zoom
With Zoom, you have various options to blur your background, and we will provide you with a comprehensive guide on how to use each option.
Virtual background
Zoom allows you to upload your own images as virtual backgrounds. Here are the steps for blurring your background with virtual settings:
- Open Zoom and click on the account button in the top-right.
- Select “Settings”.
- At the bottom of the settings magic wand, Click on “Virtual Background”.
- Select “Blur” to create a blur effect.
Zoom’s built-in background and filters
Zoom has built-in backgrounds and filters that you can use to achieve a blurred effect.
- Open Zoom and click on the account button in the top-right.
- Select “Settings”.
- In “Settings” select “Background and Filters”
- Choose the background and filter of your choice.
Camera settings
Your camera settings can determine the quality of your video and how much the background is blurred in Zoom. Here’s how to adjust:
- Open Zoom and click on the account button in the top-right.
- Select “Settings”.
- In “Settings”, select “Video”.
- Test out with blur value configurations to find the most optimal.
Best Practices for Ensuring a Professional-Looking Blurred Background
Even with a blur effect, there are a few tips to help you achieve a professional look during your Zoom meetings. Below are some dos and don’ts that you should adhere to:
Dos:
- Dress appropriately: Attire should not clash with your background. Avoid wearing bright colors, patterns, or graphics.
- Stay stationary: Avoid moving around too much as this can cause the blur effect to distort.
- Position yourself in the center of the view: This will help the background blur effect to be more effective.
- Invest in good quality equipment: A good quality camera and microphone can enhance the overall Zoom experience.
Don’ts:
- Display personal information: Keep your backdrop free of personal information, like your address or financial details, to prevent any risk of compromise.
- Have a cluttered background: Avoid having distracting elements in the background.
- Forget to test your settings: Before starting your Zoom meeting, ensure that you have tested your settings with a friend or colleague to preview the appearance of your blurred background.
- Use low-quality images: When choosing a virtual background, make sure that it is high quality to prevent pixelation or distortion.
Workarounds for Unavailable Blur Options in Zoom
In some instances, Zoom may not offer blur options. Here are a few ways to still achieve a blurred background effect:
Using Third-Party Apps
There are various third-party apps to blur your background before joining a Zoom meeting. For example, Adobe Premiere Pro is an excellent option if you are interested in advanced production even beyond the Zoom meeting.
Setting up a physical blur with staging or lighting
You can set up a physical backdrop in your area that is blurred by adding fabrics or distance between you and the backdrop, or even use special light to provide a blurred effect. This technique requires patience and creativity.
Creative Blurring Techniques:
Once you have mastered the art of blurring your background, now it’s time to get creative! There are advanced techniques that you can use to add creativity to your backdrop:
How to Use Background Blur in Zoom to Produce Artistic Videos
If you’re interested in a more artistic look, you can use advanced editing techniques to alter and emphasize your Zoom video footage. Here are a few editing tips:
- Using Video Editing Software to Isolate Video from the Background: You can use video editing software to separate your video from the background.
- Processing Video Through Filters in Adobe or Other Software: Experiment with filters on video processing software to enhance your setup.
- Using the Blur Tool in Photoshop or Similar Tools: You can enhance the blurred effect with tools like the Blur Tool in software packages like Adobe Photoshop
Conclusion
Now you have all the tips and techniques on how to blur background in Zoom. Follow the best practices, choose your perfect virtual background, and use any of the various ways to achieve the blurred effect effectively. Don’t stop experimenting with advanced editing techniques to achieve an even higher degree of creativity with your Zoom footage.