This affordable light will help you look better on Zoom and FaceTime

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By StackCommerceMashable Shopping2020-05-01 09:00:00 UTC

TL;DR: Improve your photo and video quality with the Pictar smart LED light for $39.99, a 20% savings as of May 1.

From Jimmy Fallon and the Roots to the all-star Together At Home concert musicians to your Zoom happy hour, everyone has one thing in common these days: streaming video from home. If the 2020  pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that no one was prepared to stream high-quality content from their houses.

Here’s a pro tip for you: besides having a device to stream from, the first step to creating better content is good lighting. And you don’t need to overhaul your entire home to get it. Just opt for a simple ring light attachment like the Pictar Smart LED and turn your DIY-driven aesthetic up a few notches. You can mount it onto your phone or camera and control its brightness and tone from the Pictar app. Then, just like magic, your live streams will rival some of Hollywood’s finest – not like it’s all that hard these days. Plus, of course, better lighting means you’ll be able to take some kickass Instagram pics.

We’ve talked about ring lights a few times since the stay-at-home orders were enacted, but this one’s different. This light isn’t a one-trick pony, like many other ring lights. You’ll get 20 preset shooting modes, plus a variety of parameters for your phone camera – like light temperature and white balance. Control the brightness easily on the app or just slide the dial on the device itself. There’s even a diffusion filter to soften the light beam and it attaches magnetically for convenience and simplicity. At full brightness, the built-in battery will last for about two hours on a single charge — plenty of time to attend a few happy hours or record a webinar.

As one Amazon reviewer put it, “This baby can make any picture, regardless of what camera used, look as if they are professionally done!” You can see for yourself, though:

Usually, the Pictar Smart LED Light would cost you $49.99, but you can save 20% and snag it on sale for just $39.99.