With so many small business owners and their employees currently working from home, many are using video chat services like Skype and Zoom to stay in touch. Many of these users may want to hide their boring or messy homes or offices when they’re on calls. So there’s an increased demand for virtual backgrounds.
In Skype, you have the option to change the color or blur your background directly within the Skype for Business app. In contrast, Zoom offers the ability to add custom background images or videos, providing greater customization options. This feature is particularly effective for users with a green screen and consistent lighting, as it enables Zoom to more easily differentiate between the user and the background.
There are no size restrictions for these virtual backgrounds, allowing you to use almost any image you prefer. However, Zoom recommends cropping your images or selecting ones that align with the aspect ratio of your computer’s camera. Typically, standard images with dimensions of 1280 pixels by 720 pixels or 1920 pixels by 1080 pixels tend to work best.
Sources of Virtual Backgrounds
If you want to add Zoom virtual background images to your video chats, here are some of the top places where you can find options online.
In the Zoom App
If you don’t have specific preferences for your backgrounds, the Zoom app offers a collection of preloaded background images. These images include cityscapes, space scenes, and simple office environments. To access these options, navigate to your settings and locate the virtual backgrounds tab, where you can select your desired background for the meeting.
Zoom Virtual Backgrounds
This site provides over 200 images and videos designed specifically for virtual backgrounds. Some videos feature subtle movements, such as cars passing by or coworkers walking, allowing you to create the appearance of a genuine workspace. You can explore the selection to find specific options that meet your requirements, or you can opt to purchase the entire bundle for easy access on your computer whenever you want to upload a new background.
Shutterstock
Shutterstock is a stock photo platform with millions of royalty-free images available for use in Zoom virtual background images. You can browse images with that specific tag or search for another keyword that fits your needs. The site includes pretty much everything from basic office photos to vectors. But you’ll need a subscription to download.
Adobe Spark
Adobe Spark provides a variety of Zoom background images that users can download or customize directly within the app. Each image begins as a template that allows you to add text or other graphics. Additionally, some templates include humorous elements, such as a customizable “Employee of the Month” frame.
Pexels
If you are seeking free virtual backgrounds, Pexels is a stock photo website that offers a vast selection of images. No account or membership is required to access these images, and you’ll find photos in various styles and aspect ratios. However, be aware that some images may need to be cropped to fit your computer’s camera.
Unsplash
Unsplash is a free stock photo site that allows you to easily download a huge variety of images that you can use or customize for your meetings. The site’s Zoom background section is full of office-related images that fit the aspect ratios of most standard cameras.
The Points Guy
If you enjoy traveling, the Zoom backgrounds provided by The Points Guy are perfect for you. These backgrounds feature stunning images of airports, lounges, and popular destinations that many people aren’t visiting at the moment. Best of all, you can access them for free in a Google Drive folder.
Pocket-Lint
If you’re in search of amusing or distinctive images to brighten your virtual meetings, Pocket-Lint offers a diverse selection of photos from popular shows, movies, games, and even memes that are guaranteed to bring a smile. These free virtual backgrounds are simple to download to your computer and can easily be saved on Zoom, allowing you to infuse your workday with elements of your favorite pop culture.
Make Your Own
If you have a really specific vision for your virtual backgrounds for video calls, you can always design your own. Use your photo editing app of choice to create an image in your desired aspect ratio, then add the graphics or text that you want to display in your meeting. Programs like Canva even offer templates to help you get started quickly. This can help you gather some inspiration but still give you the freedom to customize your desired background.
Your Camera Roll
You don’t have to download virtual backgrounds for video from online platforms or separate websites to customize your Zoom meetings. You can upload pretty much any image from your computer to use for this purpose. So if you want to add personal photos from a recent vacation or maybe even a picture of your dog, you can simply take your own pictures and then add them in the Zoom app.
Image: Depositphotos.com
This article, “Where to Find Virtual Backgrounds for Your Video Calls” was first published on Small Business Trends