Did you know you can change your background picture in Zoom? It’s easy! All you have to do is click on the gear icon and choose ‘Virtual Background.’ You don’t even need a green-screen for its technical magic to work its wonders.

I learned this amusing factoid just five minutes before a meeting with my work team.

I jumped into action: this was my opportunity to shine! I needed the perfect background picture, an image that would make my colleagues stand up and declare: “That is the best thing I’ve seen all day.”

What would I choose? I had limitless options and little time. In the end I settled upon a picture of a goofy looking giraffe's head. When placed as my background, it created the illusion that we were both supping upon foliage in an African jungle. The effect was utterly priceless to behold; the meeting could not come soon enough.

I clicked on ‘Join’, entered my meeting ID, and waited. My coworker Steve was already there.

Immediately, I was disappointed to learn that he also changed his background picture. Behind him was a flat, blue surface, framed by an American flag on one side and a podium on the other. With his head stuck in the middle, it appeared as though he was giving a White House Press briefing.

Steve had a shit-eating grin on his face. “Hey Jeff, nice giraffe,” he said.

“Thanks,” I said, my voice robbed of enthusiasm.

Then my co-worker Brad signed on and - of course! - he also customised his background picture. The scene that he presented was of an elaborate cave facility; just in front of him was an array of high tech looking computers and technical appliances.

“Hey Brad, where are you?” I asked.

“Can you tell?” he said and shifted his head to the right, revealing, for everyone to see, a locker containing Batman’s suit. “I’m in the bat cave!”

Steve rolled his eyes and I gave a polite nod.

“Who else are we waiting on?” Steve asked impatiently.

“Just Susan,” I said.

Just then another box populated my screen and Susan’s face appeared.

Unsurprisingly, Susan also changed her background. What was surprising, however, was her choice of picture. I expected a cluster of ridiculously adorable kittens, an image of a tranquil landscape or even a photo of her grandkids.

Instead, it looked as though she was seated at her desk in a poorly lit basement; behind her was a filth-lined grey brick wall. Strung up with chains and manacles, in excruciatingly painful positions, were three motionless men; they all wore torn rags and were covered in wounds.

“Hello everyone!” she said cheerfully.

I could see the look of confusion and disgust on both Brad and Steve’s faces.

“That’s a very unique background picture you have there Susan,” Steve said.

Susan looked perplexed. “I don’t know what you mean by that. I’m brand new to Zoom, and I’m still trying to figure it out.”

Brad threw his head back, laughing. “Oh Susan, this is too much. I gotta admit, I didn’t expect this from you! That is some quality comedy right there; that background is the best thing I’ve seen all day.”

Susan looked even more perplexed. “I don’t know what you’re going on about Brad.”

Brad abruptly cut his laughter short.

“Everything OK there, Susan?” I asked.

“Yeah, just gimme a moment,” she said. “This PC is ancient. I really need an upgrade.”

Behind her one of the bodies came to life and started violently thrashing about on the wall.

“One second,” Susan said, “My grandson is calling me. Back in one moment.”

The three of us watched in horror as she stood up, walked towards the back wall, and tightened the chains. Once more, the figure ceased moving.

“Alright, I’m back. Thanks everyone. Are we all all set? OK, let’s see here. Oh Jeff, great giraffe picture! I love it! It looks like you’re in the trees! You’ll have to show me how to do that once I buy a webcam.”

Due to the pandemic-that-cannot-be-named, some of us are taking online classes. Using the zoom app. And although it is a random app nobody had heard of, it does have a cool feature. Green screen or not, you can change your background.

Change your Zoom background on the desktop app

1. In the Zoom app, click your profile in the top right corner, and click Settings.

2. On the menu to the left, click Virtual Background.

3. You'll see a few default background options provided by Zoom, including an outer space scene or blades of grass. You can choose one of those by clicking on it, and it will automatically change your screen as well. There's also an option for if you have a green screen and want to use that.

4. If you want to upload a photo to use as your background, on the same Virtual Background Page, click the + icon next to where it says Choose Virtual Background. A box will pop up allowing you to upload a photo from your computer. Click on the one you want, and it will appear alongside the other pictures as an option for you to choose from.

5. To get rid of any photos you upload, tap the X in their top left corner.

Change your Zoom background on the mobile app

1. When you log into your account and join a meeting, tap the three dots at the bottom right of the screen to open the More menu.

2. Tap Virtual Background.

3. Select a background from the default options, or upload your own.

Another Zoom tip: Add a beauty filter

You've probably heard all of the work from home advice by now -- wake up on time, shower, get dressed like it's a day at the office. But if it's one of those days where you don't think you're looking your best, Zoom has an answer: a feature called Touch Up My Appearance. Basically, it's a softening filter, like you'd find on Instagram, Facetune or your phone's selfie camera.

To turn it on, click the up arrow next to Start Video. Click Video Settings, and under My Video, check the box for Touch Up My Appearance. That's it!

Can I change or blur my background during meeting on an iPad?

I just used it with my class. All the students set their background to where they wish they were right now. We then talked about why they selected that image. Some conversations were fun and goofy, others were more deep and serious, but I think it was a great way for students to talk about what they are going through right now in a less intimidating way.

To set a background, click on the arrow next to the video sign in the bottom of the screen. There is an option that says 'choose a virtual background.' You can upload any image you want and voalá!

Edit: just thought of this, but I think it can also be helpful for students who don't want to show their room/house for any reason.

Hi,

do any of you have ideas for zoom backgrounds besides blurring or filters? Is there a way to have a set up behind me in an open room that looks professional and doesn't show the rest of my place.

Thank you

I have a meeting tommorrow, I have never used zoom before, Im hoping the option to blur your background is not something that can be disabled by the host, I dont want people seeing my bedroom.