Speeches & setup
Camera Height and Framing for Talking Videos
Where to put the camera, how much of you to show and how to frame for horizontal and vertical video, so you look natural and the viewer feels spoken to.
In this guide
Small changes in camera position make a big difference to how you come across. A camera that is too low, too far or badly framed makes you look awkward before you say a word. Getting it right takes a few minutes and a stack of books.
Camera at eye level
Place the camera lens at your eye level, or slightly above. This feels like a natural conversation.
- Too low: viewers look up your nose and you seem to loom over them.
- Too high: you look small and the angle feels odd.
Laptops on desks are a common problem. Raise the laptop on books or a stand so the webcam is at eye level.
Distance
For most talking videos, frame from around mid-chest to just above your head. That shows enough body language to feel natural without leaving lots of empty space. Arm's length is a good starting point for phones.
The rule of thirds
Place your eyes roughly a third of the way down from the top of the frame. This works for horizontal and vertical video. Avoid placing your face dead centre vertically, which leaves too much space above your head.
Headroom
Leave a small gap between the top of your head and the edge of the frame. Too much headroom makes you look small. Too little feels cramped.
Horizontal video
For YouTube and presentations, sit slightly off-centre for a more natural look, or centred for a direct, formal feel. Leave some space on the side you face.
Vertical video
For Shorts, Reels, TikTok and LinkedIn, hold the phone upright. Keep your face in the upper third. Leave space at the bottom for captions and platform buttons. See captions for talking videos.
Keep the camera steady
Use a tripod, stand or stack of books. Handheld footage for talking videos usually looks unsteady.
The prompter and the lens
If you use a teleprompter, put the text as close to the lens as possible, so your eyes stay near the camera. On a phone, that means near the top of the screen. See teleprompter eye contact.
Check the edges
Look at the edges of the frame for distractions: door frames, half-visible objects, bright lights. See background for talking head videos.
Test and adjust
Record ten seconds, watch it back and adjust. Raise or lower the camera, move closer or further back. Once you find a good setup, mark the positions with tape so you can repeat it next time.
For lighting and sound, see phone video setup.
Frequently asked questions
Should the camera be at eye level?
Yes, or very slightly above. A low camera looks up your nose and feels less personal.
How much space should be above my head?
A small amount. Too much headroom makes you look small in the frame.
Where should my eyes be in the frame?
Roughly a third of the way down from the top, for both horizontal and vertical video.