Never Overlook Lighting When Planning Presentations- Tips for Improving Your Lighting

When you are asked to give a presentation, you might immediately start thinking about what you will say, what your slideshow will look like, and how you plan to present the information. While those are all very important components of a successful presentation, they aren’t the only components. Lighting is a very important and often overlooked, part of any presentation. Good lighting is critical for presenters that want to make a good impression and convey the right message to their audience. Just as an audience needs lighting to make out the facial expressions in live theater, lighting allows audience members to see the presenter’s face for better understanding. Consider the following tips for improving your presentation lighting.

Make Sure Your Have Enough Light

The first tip when preparing presentation lighting is to make sure you have enough of it. A lack of lighting will leave your audience squinting to try and make out your face. It also makes it difficult for your audience to connect with you when they cannot clearly see your face. Once you know that you have enough lighting, you need to make sure you use it correctly. 

Check for Shadows

It is important to spend some time arranging your lights to be sure you are visible from every angle. You want to be sure there are no shadows cast on your face and that you are absolutely clear from every angle in the room. The speaker should always be 100% fully lit throughout the entire presentation.   

Use Colored Lighting for Decorative Purposes

In addition to spotlighting, it is also a great idea to use colored LED lights to make your presentation pop. Colored lights are typically used for up lighting decor elements as well as the stage backdrop. They can give your presentation that extra “wow†factor and can help to transform a traditional room into a more unique space. 

Be Mindful of Windows

When preparing your stage lighting, you want to be mindful of windows. If you will be presenting during the day, the natural light that pours in from the windows could cast unwanted shadows or halos around you on stage. Be sure and test out the lights during the day so you can see exactly how to handle the light from the windows. 

Make Sure You Can Still See the Audience

Even professional lighting technicians sometimes make the mistake of casting such a bright light on the speaker that they cannot see their audience. You want to make sure that the entire room is well lit, not just you. This enables you to see your audience, which is critical for engagement. You can’t interact with the audience and read their facial expressions if you can’t see them. It is extremely important for a speaker to engage their audience through direct eye contact and this can only be done when the speaker and audience can see each other.