A ring light is a circular lighting tool that evenly illuminates the
subject of a close-up photograph. 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.

The Ring light is a simple?lighting tool?that is commonly used for beauty shots,
portraits, and macro photography. It features a number of small bulbs forming a
circle or just one circular fluorescent bulb. When used in photography, it
creates an attractive catch light on a subject?s eyes. At the same time, it
emits even, diffused lighting that helps eliminate shadows. You can position
this light in front of the subject, with the camera situated in the middle of
the ring.

Smaller ring lights?can also be mounted on the camera
lens for macro photography.

What is a ring light used for?

Often times photography and videography applications are top uses for a
ring light. You can utilize it for portraiture, macro photography and other
applications that involve close-up work with only one subject, such as in
fashion or food photography. It also serves as an economical lighting tool for
indoor filming and vlogging.

LED ring lights?are made up of warm white bulbs that
mimic daylight in an indoor setting and bring out the subject?s natural skin
tone. They come in different sizes, sometimes with dimmable lights, and are
compatible with any type of camera.

You?ll know that a model is facing a ring light by the appearance of
circular catch lights (or eye lights) in the subject?s eyes. These spectacular
highlights instantly make the portrait more attractive and engaging, as they
instantly draw the viewer?s attention to the subject?s eyes.

If it?s the only light present, you?ll also notice a shadow ?halo?
around your subject.

For macro photography, these lights
offer a slightly more front-focused lighting compared to a lightbox.
Simultaneously, it distributes light around a small subject well enough to hide
shadows and bring out more detail.

You can also use it as your fill light in a studio shoot where you may
already have other light sources. This ensures that you have just enough soft
lighting to directly brighten your subject for a more three-dimensional look.

While ring lights are great for photos, they also make good lighting for
videos. If you?ve ever wondered why a particular subject looks noticeably
better under constant lighting, they?re probably using a ring light. They?re
arguably the best lighting for YouTube videos, especially for vloggers and
product reviewers.

Virtually every serious makeup artist on YouTube uses one for makeup
tutorials. It instantly enhances facial features and helps show the true colors
of the skin as well as their products.

How to Use A Ring Light

?

Once your subject is ready, simply place the ring
light in front of your camera. Whether you?re using a camera phone or a more
professional camera ? like the?Fujifilm X100V,?Leica Q2, or?Nikon D780?? make sure
you position the lens right in the center of it so you get even lighting on
your subject every time. Use a clip or even tripods to hold your camera and
ring light in place.

Photographers use ring lights for other types of creative lighting
setups that don?t necessarily require you to shoot through it.

If you?re using constant light, you can easily adjust the power and your
distance from the subject. This will get you your desired effect before
clicking your shutter. If you?re using a flash ring light, you can do several
test shots to determine the changes that you need to make. Think: distance and
light strength.

Finally, start shooting through your ring light and enjoy perfect,
evenly distributed lighting with every shot!