Did You Know?

The Ultimate —

Shutterstock.com Film-ready Rooms

By Kathleen Moran, House and Home Writer

As we accept and continue to navigate the new normal that comes with living in the midst of a pandemic, one positive that emerges is homeowners are allowing themselves the time to explore hobbies like increasing their personal online presence as video influencers. This could be anything from starring in their own makeup or cooking tutorials to a DIY project, all from within the confines of a film-ready room in one’s own home. Whatever one’s interests, though, lighting, backdrop aesthetics and adequate video and sound quality will make all the difference in giving one’s video that professional touch viewers appreciate.

photo courtesy of Mighty Mics, Goshen

LIGHTING

Hannah Taylor, lighting showroom manager at Kendall Lighting Center in South Bend, offers a tip for influencers, particularly interested in makeup: “Eye-level lighting is more flattering than relying on overhead lighting that is sure to create shadows on one’s face.”

The important thing is to balance the layers of lighting in a room, and in the case of a makeup artist, this could mean using sconces at a vanity or dressing table.

For an individual wanting to film a cooking video, make sure to have good lighting over a kitchen island. Taylor explained, “The trick, in this case, is to have the light fixture out of the camera’s sight line while also hanging at a distance that is adequate for illuminating the workspace.” Typically, 30 inches from the countertop is a good height.

BACKDROP AESTHETICS

“Put a spin on things by making a sconce the point of interest for a backdrop,” stated Taylor. But remember to keep it on a lower lumen output since it is being used as a decorative piece rather than functioning as a traditional light source.

Additionally, Deborah Carpenter, ASID, of Sweet Water Interiors in Goshen, recommends finding a balance for one’s backdrop. For example, featuring greenery or a piece of art should add interest without distracting viewers. “Of course, the choices one makes in one’s backdrop selection will likely be career-dependent in terms of what items will be featured,” said Carpenter.

The color of a backdrop wall is just as critical as the interest pieces themselves. “For instance, green- and blue-colored backdrop walls — the cooler tones and colors of the sea — can give off a sense of tranquility compared to some other colors that may be too bright for viewers,” added Carpenter.

VIDEO AND SOUND QUALITY

Tyrus Tucker, Mighty Mics’ tech guru in Goshen, acknowledges the portability and readily available filming capabilities of the average cellphone that comes equipped with a decent microphone and camera. However, when money is not an option, Tucker shared, “In order to take creation to the next level, one could invest in a DSLR, a full frame mirrorless camera, or a higher quality webcam.”

Moreover, there are some tricks to ensuring sound quality. Particularly, large furniture pieces are helpful for absorbing unwanted sounds in a bedroom or living room. “Hanging heavy curtains in front of windows, adding furniture to corners of the room and utilizing sound-absorbing panels on at least two of the walls can help in smaller rooms,” specified Tucker. n

RESOURCES:

Kendall Lighting Center, multiple locations, 800-558-8820, www.kendalllightingcenter.com Mighty Mics, Goshen, (574) 533-9151, www.mightymics.com Sweet Water Interiors, Goshen, 574-534-3989, www.sweetwaterinteriors.com

Did You Know? Although it’s wet and cold and spring feels like it’s a long way off, there is a lot to “love” about February. By Julie Young, House and Home Writer

It’s the shortest month of the year. Mardi Gras

February has a lot of “heart” gives a good excuse to ditch the new year’s diet, and, of course, Valentine’s Day offers a great

opportunity to get close to someone special!

WHAT’S IN A NAME?

The origin of the word February comes from a Roman cleaning festival held Feb. 15. “Februa” means “cleansing or purification.” In honor of this history, why not organize your bookshelf, planner, personal diary or contacts? Lent begins this month as well, which offers the perfect chance to break a bad habit for good!

TASKS TO TAKE CARE OF

• Get a jump on your herb garden by starting seeds in a sunny windowsill. • Schedule service for your

HVAC system. • Tune up your lawnmower before you need it. • Do some batch cooking. Prep chili, spaghetti sauces and stews for the month ahead. Tired of your old recipes? Organize a recipe swap with friends. • Clean linen closets and dryer vents, and check for mold in your kitchen and bathrooms.

MAY THE ODDS BE EVER IN YOUR FAVOR

The odds of being born on Feb. 29 are about 1 in 1,461.

Source: https://cateinsuranceagency.com/14-fascinating-facts-about-february/

WHAT TO BUY

• Didn’t score that game console at

Christmas? Now is a good time to score a Playstation 5, Xbox Series X or

Nintendo Switch while not fighting holiday crowds — barring shortages. • Presidents Day, a three-day weekend, means big sales on major items such as mattresses, appliances and outdoor gear like grills, barbecues, lawnmowers and more. • According to U.S. News in its article,

“The Best Days to Shop in 2021,”

February is the month to look for deals on tax software. The website also advises holding off on purchasing jewelry until right after Valentine’s Day when leftover jewelry will be on sale.

TUNE IN!

Putumayo World Music — www.putumayo.com — offers a variety of CDs and playlists to give family dinners an international flair. Here are a few of our favorites: • French Dinner Party — The perfect soundtrack for a romantic evening. • New Orleans Party — Guaranteed to let the good times roll. CD also includes a daiquiri recipe! • Vintage Latino — A collection that pays tribute to nostalgic tunes, it’s the perfect accompaniment for Taco Tuesday. • Best of Italian Cafe — Take a musical holiday to Rome, Milan and

Venice with this captivating selection of popular songs.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

February is Black History Month, and 2021’s theme is “Black Family: Representation, Identity and Diversity,” which explores the African diaspora and the spread of Black families across the U.S. Enjoy art, music and literature from Black artists. Also, check out the National Museum of African American History & Culture’s digital exhibits: https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/exhibitions. n Photos:Shutterstock.com ... and now you know!