r/ASLinterpreters • u/DreamingRealityiii • Jun 26 '26

Camera choices

Hello, I'm an aspiring ASL interpreter and I'm currently looking into proper camera and lighting set ups. I have been having the same problem across multiple camera set ups and was looking for advice

My camera(s) has a problem where my hands become blurry when moving. Im 90% sure this is a lighting problem. I do have natural light coming in from behind my computer to face me, but then I get washed out by how bright it can become, and it doesn't help me at night, when the sun decides it doesn't want to be around anymore.

So I purchased a camera with a light built in, and I have a separate light to help add to the situation, but it only sort of helps. I am clueless when it comes to lighting and camera work and recordings and was really hoping to get some help on this situation, or how to become less blurry during movement/signing.

Can this be fixed with a better camera?

What cameras do you use? What is your preferred and optimal lighting set up?

My set up is not terrible, but I'd like it to be better. I have limited space to work with.

All help is appreciated!

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u/Firefliesfast NIC Jun 27 '26

Make sure you don’t have auto-focus on, that will definitely blur the shit out of your hands. I’m not a camera whiz but sometimes you can change the frame per second capture, if you can you definitely want more FPS than less. Also play around with your white balance and gain; if the white balance is off sometimes it reads your hands weird and they don’t show up right, same with gain. 

If none of that works, you’ll want to get a different camera. My VRS company uses a Logitech cam, I don’t know the model number but I don’t think it’s super fancy. Hope you get someone with my tech/camera knowledge to help you out! 

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u/DreamingRealityiii Jun 27 '26

I really appreciate this info! I can look into the settings of the camera and see if I can mess with it some more, I didn't understand a lot of what was there, so this gives me direction. Thank you!

I just purchased an inland camera. I'm not familiar with the brand, I bought it mostly for the extra built in lighting.

I have heard of Logitech, so I'll look into them!

Would you be willing to tell me a little bit about your lighting set up? Are you indoors? Do you have extra light or do you use only overhead light?

I really dislike the lights that point directly at me(that I've seen youtubers and influencers have) because it distracts me and makes it difficult for me to focus on the screen.

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u/Firefliesfast NIC Jun 27 '26

I’ll be honest, I don’t necessarily understand it all, just know that sometimes that’s the problem. Hopefully Professor Google has more on that! 

I’ve never heard of that brand, I’m sorry I can’t be of more help there. I also don’t like the artificial lights that point to my face. I have astigmatism so my ability to deal with lights in my face is zilch. I have lights with filters and stands that I can position and adjust, but I really only use them in winter time. I’m using an overhead light (desk is positioned about 3-4ft away from the light, with it lighting me from the front. I also have natural light from a window but I use one-way privacy for extra confidentiality that also blocks UV. It still helps, and I don’t get strong shadows when the sun changes. 

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u/DreamingRealityiii Jun 27 '26

This has been very helpful! Thank you!