Lesson

ps3-3. Get the right light

Have someone stand in your speaking spot with the lights on during preparation and check that their face is evenly lit. Any shadow under your nose should not touch your lips. If so, try to find another place to stand.

Make sure it's easy for the audience to see your face. Sometimes overhead lights are very harsh and create unflattering deep shadows under your eyes.

If you make an audiovisual presentation, remember that the audience will look at the brightest point, the display. If you are speaking, unless there is a special light focused on you, you will be in the dark, and whatever you have to say will diminish in value, and they won't hear as well.

Solution: 
If you must speak in the dark, limit the conversation to what the audience can see presented. Talk about that if it's a graph, preferably using a pointer. 

In general, I avoid "PowerPoint" presentations. Or separate this part from your speaking part. You are better off making a short presentation at the beginning, then turning on the lights and giving your speech.

​Note on the window light. Make sure the bright light from outside is not behind you. That will put you in a dark silhouette. The light should be facing toward you.
​
NOTE: If you are making an audio-visual presentation your audience can barely see you. That dramatically reduces your persuasive powers. Limit your dark room talk to just what the audience needs to see. Make your speech with the lights on. 

Practice

Study late-night show lighting during a monologue. Note how you can see the speaker even when they turn away or when the camera angle changes. It is unlikely that you will get it that perfect.

So at least learn where not to go in your speaking area. It will be a lot easier to have someone to be with you.

​Have them wander around your speaking area while you watch from the audience's area. Many rooms have harsh spotlights you need to avoid.

The side window light is usually OK. A light behind you going towards the audience is the worst.

Take one minute to wander around the speaking area. With the camera on, note the good and the wrong spots. Send in your video.