Ring Light Photography: How to Use A Ring Light For Better Visibility (Tips)

The importance of ring lights in photography can’t be overemphasized. For that fantastic light effect, then you need a ring light. In other words, ring lights are also known or regarded as ring flashes.

Today, in the fashion world or industry, ring lights have found their way fully into this sphere.

Thanks for the beautiful, desirable, and stylish looks they create. These qualities are what make them indispensable and appealing.

Majorly, a ring light is considered as a lighting tool that can be used for some forms of photography.

These include portraits, beauty shots, and macro photography as the case may be.

When you make use of this tool in photography, it ensures an eye-catching light is created on the subject’s eyes while producing evenly distributed lighting, which in turn gets rid of shadows.

For effective results, a ring light is placed, pointing directing at the subject while the camera is positioned right at the center of the ring. Apart from photography, a ring light is also a useful tool in videography.

The following are surprising ways of using a ring light:

01. You can make use of it for framing:

Although this is always seen or perceived to be insignificant, even if, when you make use of ring lights as a framing object or device, it gives an excellent result.

The result you get is a white circle of light. This type of light is considered perfect.

Interestingly, when you make use of the lens of about 8mm in length, the edges of the ring light can as well be used as framing objects.

All you need to do is simply place the lens at the back of the frame.

02. Perfect for those macro shots or photography

If you decide to focus your attention on those small things, then this is the right tool for you.

To photograph that small subject, tool, or as the case may be, there is no other better way you can achieve it other than making use of a ring light.

The light it produces is evenly distributed for those micro shots, especially in a situation where you need a considerably soft light.

The essence of soft lighting is to brighten your subject directly.

03. You can make use of it in detecting hard lights

Till now, this appears to be one of the adequate and appropriate ways of putting a ring light into productive use.

If there is a need to point out or detect information on a hard light shot, you can make use of a ring light as fill to include details to the final result.

04. You can also make use of a ring light as the key

You can also make use of a ring light either as a single light or as a high key light.

Either way, it ensures you can have a clearer picture of the signature lighting design that is associated with the ring light in its perfect or most preferred form.

05. A ring light can as well be used as catchlights

This is another unique attribute that you can’t take away from the use of a ring light. Typically, ring lights produce catch lights that are very distinct in shape.

The shape of the catch light produced, which is in a ring shape, is attributed to the form of the light source, which is as well ring-shaped.

If you are looking towards achieving a related look, all you need to do is to ensure you look out for the distance between your subject and the ring light.

If the ring light is very close to the subject, it becomes easier to achieve the catch light effect. The closer it is, the better.

06. What about using it as a softbox?

Another exciting way you can effectively make use of your ring light as a softbox. To make use of your ring light in this form, all you have to do is take away the camera.

07. A ring light can as well be used for subtle fill

Apart from other available light sources in the room or studio, to come up with a subtle fill light; what you need is a ring flash that is small in size.

As a matter of fact, the produced light will be from a hundred percent (100%) on-axis, the effect it has on the scene is minimal, as the main goal is the provision of extra lighting.

Important things to know before you get a ring light

Before you dip your hand inside your purse for a ring light, make sure you consider the power and size of the ring light you are going for. These are two significant factors you should not joke with.

If your primary goal is to achieve a catch light that is going to be visible on your subject, there is a need to go for a more significant ring light.

Although smaller ring light can as well deliver on visible catch light, this means you would have to do several close-ups before this can be achieved.

Talking about power, it is advisable that you go for a ring light that comes with a dimmer.

A dimmer ensures you can easily regulate or modify the power as the case may be depending on how far the subject is from the ring light.

Bottom line

A ring light is known as the perfect match for every lover of great pictures because it never seizes to deliver on the expected outcome. Also, this fantastic tool is affordable.

Have you ever thought about why a specific subject appears remarkably high whenever they are under constant lighting?

You don’t have to stress it anymore. If it occurs to you in that way, it is probably because they are making use of a ring light.

A ring light brings the possible best of the subject’s facial attributes or qualities and as well display the color of the skin just as it is.