Note on Ring Flash and Eyes

As a little bit of a note, ring flashes tend to be a bit hard on the eyes. Becareful when using one, and if you can, meter out all your lighting ahead of time so that when it comes to using a model, you only shoot at them once or twice. The reason it seems to be so painful a flash to work with, is that unlike large flashes with modeling lights, there is no light to "pre-squint" your pupils, so they are totally open when it fires. Additionally, I think due to the styrofoam (at least in my model here) there is a larger area that is illuminated. Even though the flash I am using to power the thing isn't particularly notable (an old vivitar top mount flash) both my girlfriend and I find it quite a painful experince after two or three flashes.

Test Shot

Here is a test shot using the "Ring Flash" Notice how I am nearly shadowless (not a flatering picture, hence the cropping), but also how the sunflower is shadowless. Then note the typical "halo" or shadow all around the outside of the sunflower. The shadow could be evener I think, but overall, it certianlly works!

Ring Flash PHotos








DIY Ring Flash

Lately, I've been wanting to do some Ring Flash photography with my models. Something that looks 90's fashion style stuff. Most of the ring flashes out there are very expensive. You can get some decently priced versions (~100) on ebay, but as ring flashes are typically for macro photography, most battery powered versions really are only good for, macro-photography. I was looking for something that could work more for fashion.

Instead of buying one, I decided to try my hand at building one. It cost me around $5 and works fairly well considering. It's also sparked my interest in building a variety of other things. (more description and pictures to come).