You don't need to spend $30–$80 on a ring light for better-looking video calls or phone portraits. Every smartphone, tablet, and laptop you own is already a high-quality light source — you just need the right settings and positioning. Here's exactly how to use any screen as a DIY fill light, and which free tools make it easier.
Why Screens Make Good Lights
Modern displays can output 400–1000 nits of brightness. A budget ring light typically produces around 500–800 lux at 50 cm. Held at the same distance, a 13-inch laptop screen can match or exceed that — especially when displaying a full-white image at maximum brightness. The light is large relative to the subject (your face), which means it produces soft, even illumination with gentle shadow edges — the same quality you'd get from a professional softbox.
The only real limitation of a screen versus a dedicated ring light is that you can't angle it independently of where you're looking. For video calls this isn't an issue — your screen is already in front of you. For phone photography, a second device held off to the side works perfectly.
Step-by-Step: Setting Up Your Screen Light
1. Open a full-screen white or warm-white display
Open White Screen Online on the device you want to use as a light. Turn brightness to maximum. For a neutral fill light, use plain white. For warmth that's flattering on skin, try a warm cream or amber — around #FFF5E0 to #FFE4B5 — using the Custom Color Screen or Zoom Lighting tool.
2. Position the light correctly
For video calls: your monitor is already your key light. If your face looks uneven or one side is too dark, prop a second screen (phone or tablet) slightly off to the side at a 45° angle to add fill. The fill light should be about half as bright as the key — dim it in your OS display settings or use the brightness slider in the Zoom Lighting tool.
For phone portraits: hold your secondary device (or ask someone to hold it) roughly level with the subject's face, at arm's length, angled slightly toward them. The Ring Light Simulator works well here — the circular gradient mimics the catchlight pattern of a real ring light in the subject's eyes, which gives photos a professional look.
3. Control the ratio
Key-to-fill ratio determines how dramatic or natural your lighting looks:
- 1:1 ratio — Both lights equal brightness. Flat, even. Good for video calls, product photography, and tutorials.
- 2:1 ratio — Key light twice as bright as fill. Natural, three-dimensional. Flattering for most faces.
- 4:1 ratio — High contrast. Dramatic side lighting. Better for artistic portraits than professional video calls.
In practice: set your main screen (key) to 100% brightness and your secondary screen (fill) to 50% for a roughly 2:1 ratio. Use OS brightness controls or the slider in the Zoom Lighting tool.
Best Screen Colors for Different Situations
Video calls and Zoom meetings
Plain white (#FFFFFF) or soft warm white (#FFF8F0) at full brightness. Point your main monitor toward your face. If you have a second screen, use it as fill from the side. This alone will make you look significantly better than ambient room lighting in most home offices.
Selfies and phone portraits
Warm white to golden (#FFE4B5) works well indoors. Hold the screen at eye level, slightly above, angled 15–20° downward toward your face. This recreates the Rembrandt lighting pattern used by portrait photographers — a small triangle of light on the shadowed cheek.
Product photography
Use full white for accurate color reproduction of products. Place one screen on each side of the subject for even, shadow-free illumination. If you need to show texture, use only one screen at a 45° angle — the single-side shadow reveals three-dimensionality.
Creative and colored lighting
The RGB Gradient Light tool lets you display a two-color gradient — useful for split-tone lighting effects in photography and content creation. A blue-to-purple gradient works well for a "studio" aesthetic popular on YouTube and Twitch.
Limitations to Know
- Not for distance: Screen light drops off fast. It works best within 1–2 metres.
- Heat: Displaying pure white at max brightness for extended periods can warm your device. Fine for video calls; give your phone a break between long portrait sessions.
- Reflections: If you're shooting glass or shiny objects, a white screen will create a visible rectangular reflection. Use a custom color or dim the brightness to reduce this.
- Battery: Max brightness drains battery fast. Keep your fill device plugged in if possible.
Quick-Start Checklist
- Open the white screen or Zoom Lighting tool on your fill device
- Set display brightness to maximum
- Position at eye level, 30–60 cm from your face
- Adjust color temperature to suit your room (warmer indoors, cooler near windows)
- Set fill to ~50% of key light brightness for a natural 2:1 ratio
- Check the result in your camera app before your call or shoot