Ring Flash
Aringflashisalightingmodifierthatfitsdirectlyaround
thecameralensbymeansofabracketthatisattachedto
thebaseofthecamera.Asthelightiswrappedaroundthe
lensandisinfactonthesameplaneasthelens,thelight
the ring flash produces is very flat and shadowless in
nature.
Thelightisoftenpoweredfromaseparatepowerpack,and
ismorecommonlyusedinthefashionindustry.Howeverit
doeshaveaplacein thecreativeportrait studio,withits
uniquecatch lights and haloeffect produced behindthe
model,andwiththerightsubjectssomeinterestingimages
can be produced. For example with teenagers and for
modelling portfolios and band shoots this would be a
wonderful tool. Great effects can be obtained using
sunglasses,and close-inheadshots ofbeautiful eyes can
look sensational.
Again aswith otherlighting modifiers theoutcome will
changeasthesubject iscloserorfurtherawayfrom the
camera.Thecloserthesubjectthelargerthecircularcatch
lights willappear in the eyes, and the softer and more
dispersedthehaloandshadows,andincontrastthefurther
awaythelessnoticeable thecatchlightswillbeand the
harsher the halo.
Withtheringflashthephotographershouldbemindfulthat
thelightisextremelybrightandisflashedstraightintothe
subject;thiscanbealittleoverwhelming,soitwouldbe
prudenttoinformtheclientsofthis,anditisnotsuitable
for use with most children.