Cameras: Field Guide to Positioning Exterior Cameras for Both Coverage and IDs

Quick summary

Design in two layers. Use wide ‘coverage’ views to understand how events unfold across the property, and place ‘identification’ views at decision points such as doors, gates and garage aprons. Heights around 7–9 feet and modest downward angles keep faces clear; plates need a low approach or a purpose‑placed view. Avoid steep top‑down shots, backlighting, and IR reflection.

We prefer UniFi Protect for cohesive systems with local storage and clean exports. Reolink is also effective in budget‑conscious or hybrid scenarios. The principles in this guide apply to both.

• Smart security cameras: buyer’s guide
• Security & Surveillance: packages that hold up
• Security cameras + access checklist

Coverage vs identification (what each camera should do)

Coverage: wider views that show direction and sequence — driveway approach, front yard, backyard, side path. Identification: tighter framing at natural choke points — front door at eye level, side gate, garage apron, package zone. You rarely get both perfectly from one vantage point, so plan each camera’s job.

• Coverage tells the story (what, when, where)
• Identification captures who/which plate at close range
• Label cameras by purpose in the NVR for quick exports

Typical exterior placements that work

Use these starting points and refine on site. Keep angles gentle, avoid pointing into direct sun, and think about night light sources.

• Front door (ID): 7–9 ft high, lens aimed near eye level; avoid steep soffit angles
• Driveway coverage: upper corner of house, view across apron; pair with a lower ID shot for plates
• Garage apron (ID): 6–8 ft high, framed tight where vehicles pause
• Side gate/path (ID): 7–8 ft high, perpendicular to travel so faces pass across frame
• Backyard coverage: rear eave or fence corner; avoid lights/IR reflecting into lens

Heights, angles and lenses (cheat sheet)

Lighting for night clarity

Small lighting changes improve faces and plates more than swapping cameras. Prefer low, even warm light near entries over bright motion floods. Keep IR path clear of glass and white trim to reduce bloom. On driveways, a soft soffit light near the apron helps plate reads when vehicles pause.

• Use warm (2700–3000K) porch/sconce lights on schedules
• Avoid lights aimed straight into the lens
• Keep reflective surfaces out of IR cones; adjust or mask

• Networking quick wins (stability for cameras)

Avoid false alerts (zones and schedules)

Tune notifications so alerts point to action. Start with person/vehicle detection on ID cameras. Use small activity zones around doors, gates and aprons; exclude roads, moving trees and bright reflections. Review alert frequency after a week and tighten further.

• Use AI/person/vehicle on ID views; fewer alerts on coverage
• Exclude roads, sidewalks and tree canopies
• Set day/night schedules to reduce noise

Hardware choices: turret/dome vs bullet vs doorbell

Match the form factor to the scene. Turret/dome cameras reduce IR glare near walls and ceilings. Bullet styles help for long, narrow views. Doorbells are ideal for face‑level ID at entries. Keep installation tidy and accessible for future service.

• Turret/dome: versatile, low IR splash near walls
• Bullet: longer throw, watch for mounting stiffness in wind
• Doorbell: best for close‑range faces at doors

• UniFi Protect design (context + ID)

Power, PoE and retention basics

Stable power and network keep footage recording. Size PoE with headroom, protect NVRs with UPS, and document retention goals by area (e.g., 14/30/60 days). Mix motion recording for general areas with continuous at doors to stretch storage without gaps.

• Right‑size PoE with 20–30% headroom
• UPS for NVR and switches; label ports and cameras
• Document target retention per camera group

• Best low‑cost PoE switches

Privacy and neighbor awareness

Aim cameras onto your property and public approaches. Avoid windows into private interiors and be thoughtful about neighbors’ yards. Audio recording rules vary; consult local guidance if needed. This article is practical design advice, not legal guidance.

FAQs

Next steps

If you want a clean plan and tidy deployment, we can survey, recommend UniFi or Reolink where appropriate, set retention, and hand off simple export procedures.

• Request a security camera quote