Ring Light for Streaming and Recording
A spare monitor or tablet can act as a front fill light for streams and recordings, with no extra hardware to buy.
Streaming setup
- Place a spare monitor or tablet directly in front of you, as close to the camera as possible, and open the virtual ring light there.
- Start with the Streaming preset (80%, 4800K, slight magenta tint) and adjust to taste.
- Make sure your capture does not include that screen. In OBS, capture only the window or screen you want, not the ring light display.
- Lock your camera exposure and white balance if your software allows it, so the picture does not shift when the ring brightness changes.
Placement tips
- Put the light slightly above eye level for a natural look.
- Use a physical lamp as a rim or background light to add depth; a screen light works best as the soft front light.
- Set the ring light to a steady brightness before going live.
Frequently asked questions
Will the ring light appear in OBS?
Only if you capture that display. Choose window or monitor capture carefully and keep the ring light on a screen that is not captured.
Is a screen bright enough for streaming?
In a dim room it works as soft fill light. For rooms with strong windows or long sessions, a physical light has more power. See the virtual vs physical comparison.
Related guides
Last reviewed October 2026 by the VirtualRingLight.com editorial team. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
Ready to test your lighting?
Free, no download, nothing recorded.