Camera Angles Can Be Brutal

Objects in the background can seem much closer to the subject on camera than they do in real life. The camera’s visual compression is what creates misleading images—like last month’s photo of Qatar’s prime minister that made it look as though he was wearing a Ku Klux Klan hood, or yesterday’s shot of Donald Trump, where the background lined up to give him what looked like bunny ears.

While you can’t always control the background and/or what an ill-timed candid shot will produce, it’s worth your time to pause, check your surroundings, and make sure nothing in the background is distracting or misleading.

Here’s how you can control the situation:

#1 — When speaking in public…
You don’t usually get to choose the backdrop organizers provide, but you can ask about its color ahead of time. Trouble arises when your clothing blends into the background, creating awkward visual illusions. To avoid disappearing into the scene—or looking like something’s growing out of your head—opt for colors that contrast with the background.

#2 — When interviewing at home…
Because you are fully in control of the background at home, there’s no excuse for a poorly placed plant or lamp. Make sure to set yourself as far from the wall as possible and position the objects in the background so they do not align with your head or body. Also, keep the objects in the background limited. Less is more as YOU are the focus and not the background.

#3 — When recording outside…
For stand-up interviews with local news, the station typically controls the background and should be on the lookout for distractions. But for self-recorded social media videos, watch out for things like trees or lamp posts that can appear to “grow” out of your head. Your background (being on location) should support your message, not distract from it or draw attention away from you.