RING FLASH Question from newbie

JbarryD · 8th of July 2007 (Sun)

I have seen examples of work on this board using a ring flash.
This seems to be one simple way of getting around the usual flash shadow thing, and although the ads all seem to focus on "macro" I have seen studio work which has clearly been at a more normal photo range.
Apart from the hobby aspect, I use the camera to record product we have built, and the range might be anything from 2-4 metres.
I often do not have the time to set up lighting, or the space to "do it properly".
I'm in the UK...could anyone advise me where to start please.
We use the Canon compact products extensively for general knockabout shots, but I am now talking about using my SLR ( A N*kon d80 18-135...sorry

) for the more important stuff.
Barry D.

Inspired Photography · 8th of July 2007 (Sun)

I am confused as to exactly what you are asking...?

If it is product lighting you want, then a strobe and large softbox will usually server better than a ringflash, as a ringflash will reflect off all sorts of things that one normally shoots in that situation.

Rob

Jakpro · 8th of July 2007 (Sun)

Read this thread for a lot of great ideas and info on product photography at an inexpensive price:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...d.php?t=281524

laimis.s · 8th of July 2007 (Sun)

there is a nice ringflash which can be added onto a 580 EX, check it here

http://www.speedgraphic.co.uk/prod.a...gflash+Adaptor

TMR Design · 8th of July 2007 (Sun)

The ring flash is great for product photography and fashion work because it doesn't cast the normal shadows and presents a rather flat lighting that although is not desirable for portraiture, works great for what you want to do for that exact same reason. You get very nice uniform lighting without the shadows that we usually see between highlight and shadow side of the subject.

Depending on the materials being photographed you may have some specular highlights to deal with and if that is not acceptable you may have to light the product differently. I'm not sure that the ring flash is an all purpose solution but for a single light setup it's a good start.

JbarryD · 9th of July 2007 (Mon)

Thank you very much.
The comments and examples are most helpful,especially the one from Laimis.s which looks a good route to go for me.
Cheers
BD

8th of July 2007 (Sun)	#1
JbarryD Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Buckinghamshire Posts: 4	RING FLASH Question from newbie I have seen examples of work on this board using a ring flash. This seems to be one simple way of getting around the usual flash shadow thing, and although the ads all seem to focus on "macro" I have seen studio work which has clearly been at a more normal photo range. Apart from the hobby aspect, I use the camera to record product we have built, and the range might be anything from 2-4 metres. I often do not have the time to set up lighting, or the space to "do it properly". I'm in the UK...could anyone advise me where to start please. We use the Canon compact products extensively for general knockabout shots, but I am now talking about using my SLR ( A N*kon d80 18-135...sorry ) for the more important stuff. Barry D.

8th of July 2007 (Sun)	#2
Inspired Photography Goldmember Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Central Coast, NSW, Australia Posts: 2,096	Re: RING FLASH Question from newbie I am confused as to exactly what you are asking...? If it is product lighting you want, then a strobe and large softbox will usually server better than a ringflash, as a ringflash will reflect off all sorts of things that one normally shoots in that situation. Rob __________________ Robert Bell - Inspired Photography (formerly "Inspired Graphix" [and "Shooter-Boy" a long time ago]) Inspired Photography email: info@inspiredphotography.net.au

8th of July 2007 (Sun)	#3
Jakpro Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: AZ, U.S.A Posts: 320 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: RING FLASH Question from newbie Read this thread for a lot of great ideas and info on product photography at an inexpensive price: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...d.php?t=281524

8th of July 2007 (Sun)	#4
laimis.s Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Preston, England Posts: 568 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: RING FLASH Question from newbie there is a nice ringflash which can be added onto a 580 EX, check it here http://www.speedgraphic.co.uk/prod.a...gflash+Adaptor __________________ Canon 5D, Mamiya RB-67, Wolf 5x4. :: http://www.laimonas.co.uk :: :: http://laimonas-stasiulis.deviantart.com ::

8th of July 2007 (Sun)	#5
TMR Design Cream of the Crop Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Huntington Station, NY Posts: 23,871	Re: RING FLASH Question from newbie The ring flash is great for product photography and fashion work because it doesn't cast the normal shadows and presents a rather flat lighting that although is not desirable for portraiture, works great for what you want to do for that exact same reason. You get very nice uniform lighting without the shadows that we usually see between highlight and shadow side of the subject. Depending on the materials being photographed you may have some specular highlights to deal with and if that is not acceptable you may have to light the product differently. I'm not sure that the ring flash is an all purpose solution but for a single light setup it's a good start. __________________ Please call me Robert or Rob, not TMR Gear List & Feedback \| The Lighting Academy "Art is the elimination of the unnecessary." - Pablo Picasso

9th of July 2007 (Mon)	#6
JbarryD Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Buckinghamshire Posts: 4	Re: RING FLASH Question from newbie Thank you very much. The comments and examples are most helpful,especially the one from Laimis.s which looks a good route to go for me. Cheers BD

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