Guidelines

Is a ring flash good for portraits?

Is a ring flash good for portraits?

For portrait photography, a ring flash helps to keep the shadows down. If there are any shadows, they are behind the subject, and unseen by the viewer. The ability for the light to wrap around the subject here is a definite advantage. Perfect for when you are showing many elements within a scene.

Are ring flashes any good?

Ring flashes (or ring lights) provide some awesome light. They are very common with the fashion industry where they are used to create a glamorous look. However if you want to use one the lights they use on high-end fashion shots, be prepared to say good bye to a couple of Big Ones.

Are ring flashes any good for macro photography?

A ring flash is perfect for macro lighting. It works differently than studio lighting or a Speedlite because it fits around your lens. This allows the light to spread out evenly around your subject area. If you’ve ever used the built-in flash on a camera, you know how harsh the light can look in photographs.

Can I use macro ring flash for portraits?

They’re perfect for macro. If you want to capture great portrait shots of bugs and animals in macro form, then a ring flash is perfect for helping you out. When you’re taking macro shots, a ring flash can give you the soft lighting that you really need when taking up-close photos.

Which is the best ring flash for photography?

For the on-camera ring flash, we recommend the Canon MR-14EX II Macro Ring Lite. Since it’s produced by an OEM (original equipment manufacturer), it’s on the pricey side. For a cheaper alternative, there is the Neewer R-160 Ring Light. The best thing about this is that the batteries are built into the ring itself.

How are ring lights used in portrait photography?

Ring lights are popular in portrait photography. In addition to overall studio lighting, a professional photographer or videographer may use a ring light to ensure their subject’s face is evenly lit with a pleasing, soft light. In the era of smartphone photography, LED ring lights are an increasingly common photography accessory.

How much does a ring flash light cost?

The oddly shaped – around the lens – modifier, combined with lots of lighting power does not come cheap. Luckily new, easy on the pocket, rings lights like the Orbis ($200) and the DIY Ring Flash ($25) provide access to this wonderful tool to the budget minded photographer as long as they own a small hot shoe strobe.

What makes a ring flash a catch light?

If you are going towards this look, one thing that you need to take care of is the distance between the ring flash and your subject. The closer the ring light, the more prominent the catch light effect will be. Of course, if you are into catch lights, you may want to try having your subject ware sunglasses.