Author Topic: How To Use a Ringflash (Read 7078 times)

leaf · « **on:** January 17, 2013, 15:29 »

Here's a nice little talk about using a ringflash ... for those who are interested.


Using a Ring Flash in the studio

Elenathewise · « **Reply #1 on:** January 17, 2013, 18:10 »

Thanks Tyler, good video, very comprehensive.

JPSDK · « **Reply #2 on:** January 17, 2013, 19:17 »

Ring flashes are often used in macro, so you can raise your aperture from 5,6 to 16 and such get a better dof.
BUT with the better dof of the ring flash also comes a flat and too even light. And with macro, shadows are important, to enhance details like scales or hairs, so the ring flash is both a curse and a deliberance.

There are people who have blinded parts of the flash to control the shadows.
They are ½ succesfull, but still the light comes from the camera and not from above or from the side, and that is impossible to do anything about.

I would say a ring flash is only meaningfull as a fill light as long as the main lights are quite a bit stronger.

PeterChigmaroff · « **Reply #3 on:** January 18, 2013, 10:34 »

Quote from: JPSDK on January 17, 2013, 19:17

Ring flashes are often used in macro, so you can raise your aperture from 5,6 to 16 and such get a better dof.
BUT with the better dof of the ring flash also comes a flat and too even light. And with macro, shadows are important, to enhance details like scales or hairs, so the ring flash is both a curse and a deliberance.

There are people who have blinded parts of the flash to control the shadows.
They are ½ succesfull, but still the light comes from the camera and not from above or from the side, and that is impossible to do anything about.

I would say a ring flash is only meaningfull as a fill light as long as the main lights are quite a bit stronger.

This is what makes photography an art. Although what you say has total merit, I totally disagree. I always thought ring flash results look best when it's used on camera as the principle light source. Usually against a flat background to show those cool looking shadows.

I made one once using a set of six par30 lights in a hexagonal pattern mounted on a piece of plywood. It works quite well and of course can be used for video but usually the subject can't look at it, it's just too bright. Plus there is a chance you can burn someone (especially yourself) quite badly.

MatHayward · « **Reply #4 on:** January 18, 2013, 11:44 »

I haven't watched this video yet. The last time I used a ring flash I had about 15 people lined up I needed to shoot portraits of. The end of the day was to be capped with a portrait session shooting Sandra Bernhard. All day I everyone I shot with a Profoto ringflash (backed by an Elinchrome Octabank) people were dropping expressing physical pain to their eyes. Those suckers are bright! By the time I got to shoot Sandra I was really worried I would hurt her eyes, she was just about to go on stage and perform and I really didn't want to create any problem. Before I shot her I asked if she was familiar with the Ringflash, of course she was and she was happy about it! She told me to bring it on and we had a great session. Didn't phase her even a little bit. That day was a telling story to me about the difference between a professional and not.

http://www.mathaywardphoto.com/#/sandra-bernhard-3

and the others...

In the second shot of this gallery you can see my setup pretty clearly in the reflection...

http://www.mathaywardphoto.com/#/ginsing

RacePhoto · « **Reply #5 on:** January 21, 2013, 11:08 »

Ah and Mat you mentioned one more "watch out for" with the ring flash. The reflection is very noticeable in many shots.

Like everything else, it's a tool and useful when used properly, can be a problem with some of the added negative side effects.

Funny Zeus, and you could make a toasted cheese sandwich at the same time to did the shoot?

PeterChigmaroff · « **Reply #6 on:** January 21, 2013, 11:18 »

Quote from: RacePhoto on January 21, 2013, 11:08

Funny Zeus, and you could make a toasted cheese sandwich at the same time to did the shoot?

Grilled cheese sandwiches or you can open your own gyro stand and shoot passport photos on the side.

ShadySue · « **Reply #7 on:** January 21, 2013, 11:36 »

Thanks, Leaf!

MicrostockGroup Sponsors

Author Topic: How To Use a Ringflash (Read 7078 times)

leaf

Elenathewise

JPSDK

PeterChigmaroff

MatHayward

RacePhoto

PeterChigmaroff

ShadySue

Sponsors

Microstock Poll Results

Sponsors