Outdoor security cameras work best when they are positioned to capture useful details instead of simply showing a large area. A camera may have a clear picture, but it will not be very helpful if a person’s face is too small to recognize or an important entrance is outside the camera’s view.
Planning each camera location before installation can reduce blind spots and improve both daytime and nighttime video.
Begin With the Main Entry Points
Doors are among the most important locations to monitor because they provide direct access to the home. Consider covering:
- Front doors
- Back doors
- Side entrances
- Garage entry doors
- Basement entrances
- Gates leading into the property
Position the camera so that approaching visitors face it naturally. A camera located directly above a door may capture mostly the top of a person’s head. Moving it slightly to one side can often provide a better view of the face.
Cover the Driveway and Parking Area
A driveway camera can record vehicles and people approaching the property. The correct position depends on the length and shape of the driveway.
For a wide driveway, place the camera where it can view the entrance and the area where vehicles are parked. Avoid aiming it too far into the street because passing vehicles, headlights, and constant motion may create unnecessary alerts.
A general overview camera may show when a vehicle arrives, but identifying a license plate can require a camera designed and positioned specifically for that purpose.
Monitor the Garage
Garages often contain vehicles, tools, lawn equipment, and other valuable property. An exterior camera can monitor the main garage door, while another camera may be needed for a side entrance.
Try to position the camera so that an open garage door does not block its view. If the garage is detached, plan the cable route, power source, or network connection before selecting the final mounting location.
Protect Side Yards and Less Visible Areas
Side yards can be easy to overlook, especially when they are hidden from the street or neighboring homes. These areas may contain windows, gates, electrical equipment, or access to the backyard.
A camera with a narrower view may work well in a long side yard. Position it to show anyone entering the area rather than aiming directly at a blank wall or fence.
Trim bushes and tree branches that could block the image or trigger unnecessary motion alerts.
Cover Detached Buildings
Workshops, sheds, barns, and other detached buildings may require additional cameras. Consider what is stored inside the building and how someone would approach it.
If you are using a wired system, determine whether a safe cable route exists between the building and the recorder. Long distances or separate electrical systems may require additional network equipment or professional advice.
Select the Right Mounting Height
Outdoor cameras are commonly installed high enough to discourage tampering but low enough to capture useful details. For many residential installations, approximately eight to ten feet above the ground is a reasonable starting point.
Installing a camera extremely high may provide a wide overview, but faces can become difficult to identify. The camera angle is just as important as its height. Pointing it sharply downward can reduce the amount of useful detail captured.
Test the view before permanently tightening the camera mount.
Avoid Common Lighting Problems
Bright light can affect a camera’s image. Avoid aiming the camera directly toward:
- The rising or setting sun
- Bright porch lights
- Floodlights
- Reflective windows
- Vehicle headlights
- Highly reflective siding
When possible, place lighting behind or above the camera so that it illuminates the area being recorded. Test the view after dark because a position that looks good during the day may produce glare or reflections at night.
Nearby walls, roof overhangs, spiderwebs, and other objects can reflect the camera’s infrared light and create a washed-out nighttime image.
Look for Blind Spots
Walk through the property as if you were approaching it from several directions. Watch for areas hidden by corners, vehicles, fences, landscaping, or buildings.
One camera should not be expected to capture every detail. A wide-angle camera may provide a general overview, while another camera positioned closer to an entrance can capture faces more clearly.
Overlapping the views of important cameras can provide additional coverage if one camera is blocked or damaged.
Respect Privacy
Aim cameras toward your own property and the areas you need to protect. Avoid positioning cameras where they unnecessarily record a neighbor’s private areas.
Audio-recording laws may be different from video-recording laws, so property owners should understand the rules that apply in their location before enabling audio.
Cameras should never be installed in areas where people have a reasonable expectation of privacy.
Test Every Camera Before Final Installation
Temporarily connect each camera and check its image before drilling holes or running the complete cable route. Test the camera:
- During daylight
- After dark
- With outdoor lights turned on
- While a person walks toward the camera
- While a vehicle enters the driveway
Make sure faces are recognizable and important areas are not blocked. Adjusting a camera is much easier before the installation is completed.
Plan the Entire System Together
The best camera placement depends on the property’s layout, lighting, entrances, and security concerns. A complete plan helps ensure that each camera has a clear purpose and that the cameras work together to provide useful coverage.
Ronware Security Cameras helps self-install customers plan dependable camera systems and provides assistance when support is needed. Visit ronwaresecuritycams.com for more information.
