Ring Light. What It Is, Configuration, Uses And Techniques

Always look your best on Zoom calls or when recording videos using a ring of light. We explain how to set it all up. Video calls are a regular part of life for millions now, motivating many to update and improve their video and webcam settings to look their best on camera.

The same is true if you want to use your forced home life to start create videos for YouTube, TikTok, Instagram or any other social media. Improving your lighting is one of the first things to consider and adding a ring light can be a quick fix that delivers instant results. We show you how to set up and use these great accessories that will make you the envy of your low-light colleagues.

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What is a ring light?

As the name suggests, these are lamps whose Light bulbs (LED) are arranged in a circleThe advantage of this approach is that you get an even distribution of light on your face, making it much easier for the camera to focus and balance both exposure and color temperature.

The ring shape is deliberate, as the idea is that you place your phone, webcam, or other camera in the middle and provide an even distribution of lightBasically, using a ring light can make the color and quality of your videos really pop.

If you are into photography, then ring lights can be very useful tools. They are also popular with makeup artists due to the even distribution of light.

Like most products, prices depend a lot on the quality and features you need. Some ring lights offer Variable settings for color temperature and brightness (this is a key aspect), color filters, remote controls and a range of other accessories. They can cost more than a hundred dollars.

Why use a ring light for photography?

Are light rings new inventions? Not at all, and they certainly weren't created for social media, for one thing! Interestingly, the ring lights Ring lights were originally designed in 1952 for dentists to get well-lit shots of patients' teeth. Back then, manufacturers made classic ring lights using fluorescent tubes. But these days, many ring lights comprise multiple LEDs, allowing them to last longer and use less energy.

The ring lights Ring lights are staples in modern photography, especially when it comes to creating content for social media. Since ring lights distribute soft, even lighting with ease, they make anyone look amazing. You can use them for continuous or flash photography, as well as for YouTube videos.

In addition to glamorous photos, you can use light rings for weddings, headshots, and portraits of all kinds. You can even use a ring flash for macro photography, such as taking close-up photos of flowers, jewelry, and other small objects. They are a practical and professional option when a traditional lighting setup isn't practical.

How to set up a ring light

Here are our top tips for making the most of a ring of light:

1. Use the electrical grid

One important thing to check before plugging in a ring light is whether it is recommended for use with a laptop. Because of its high brightness, power consumption may exceed what most ports USB can offer and could damage a laptop or PC if you plug it directly into a USB port. We recommend using a phone charger or even a USB power bank if you need it to be mobile.

2. Place the camera in the middle of the light ring

If you're using a smartphone or digital camera for your video, then the ideal placement is in the center of the ring light. Most models come with tripods and stands that will allow for this. But if that's not the case, you can always create a stand out of books or any other stackable items you can keep handy. With the camera in the middle and the lens close to the light source, it will virtually eliminate shadows and give the best results.

3. Use a ring light with a laptop camera

Obviously, you won't be able to fit a laptop in the middle of a ring light, so if that's the camera you're using, just try to position the light above the top edge of the screen so that your face is properly illuminated.

4. Check positioning and reflections

Before you settle into the position you'll use in your video, try placing the ring light at different distances from you to see what space works best with your surroundings. Not all rooms are created equal, and where a light source is placed can have a significant effect on the finished video.

Naturally, you'll want to avoid reflective surfaces in the shot, which can be tricky if you wear glasses. If you do, try to angle the light so it doesn't shine directly on the lenses. The same goes for picture frames or other shiny objects in your room.

While you're at it, consider 'dressing' your room. This involves carefully choosing the objects and furnishings to be included in the shot so that they create a mood that represents your taste. Some other lighting in the background can be great, but it's generally best to choose softer, more muted tones so that they don't dazzle the camera.

5. Set the color temperature

While we're talking about lighting tone, you'll find that some ring lights also come with controls for color temperature. This is essentially how warm or cool the light is. high color temperatures result in harsher, bluer whites (which may be appropriate to make it look like daylight, while the lower temperatures They are softer and more forgiving, like candlelight. Spend time playing around with different settings to see what you like.

If your ring light doesn't have a color temperature control, you can still alter this setting by using filters that attach to the light and act like sunglasses to change the level of whiteness. If you don't have filters, you can always go old school and place a thin cloth over the light to alter the brightness. Just Remember not to darken the camera or let the cloth get hot. too!

6. Change the brightness according to your needs

Most ring lights have adjustable brightness controls, which can be very helpful depending on the type of footage you're shooting. A good rule of thumb is that the brighter you set the light, the more accurately the camera will capture colors and the sharper your images will feel.

So, if you're going for that vibrant look, then increasing the brightness will help. The main point is, you shouldn't just turn on the ring light and leave it on that setting, you should also try experimenting with the brightness levels to see which one best suits your desired look.

The two types of ring lights

There are two types of ring lights that you should be familiar with. off-camera ring lights They connect to an external light stand, offer a wide band of illumination, and include a large opening that can accommodate a camera.

The ring lights on the camera (sometimes called ring flashes) are mounted on the front of the lens and provide a narrow band of light. For portrait photography and videography, off-camera ring lights They are more versatile (you can position them however you like), plus they offer a wider band of light, which is useful for larger subjects.

Off-camera ring lights typically also only offer continuous illumination, making them very useful for videography and studio photography, but less useful for situations where you need a powerful burst of light in a dark environment (for example, when photographing a frog at night).

Los ring flashes On-camera ring flashes are most often used by macro photographers or for scientific purposes (you'll sometimes see crime scene photographers shooting with a ring flash on TV!). Mount an on-camera ring flash on the front of your lens. You can then easily take the whole setup into the field (for photographing insects and flowers, or dead bodies).

Because a ring light is located at the end of the lens, there is no concern about the camera or lens barrel casting shadows on a subject. Plus, it allows you to illuminate dark, shadowy locations.

Note that ring flashes often offer some sort of flash setting (i.e. strobe), and some of them only function as flashes. If you are looking for a powerful burst of light, this is ideal. But be careful before purchasing a ring flash for videography, as you won't be able to use it unless it offers a continuous setting.

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How to take ring light photography

As you probably already know, using a ring light is incredibly easy. It can be boiled down to a simple four-step process:

• Step 1: Mount the ring light on a light stand or on the front of your lens (depending on the type of ring light you have).
• Step 2: place the ring light in front of your subject (and if you're using an off-camera ring light, place your camera in the center).
• Step 3: Manually dial in your camera's exposure settings (we recommend f/5.6 at 1/160 s as a good starting point).
• Step 4: Take a drink. If it looks good, then shoot. If it's too bright or too dark, make the necessary adjustments, either by darkening/increasing the ring light output, or increasing/decreasing your aperture, shutter speed, or ISO.

And that’s it! But what if you want to take your ring light photography to the next level? What if you want to create unique and more unusual photos with ring lighting? As long as you have an off-camera ring light, one with a continuous output, you can use the 5 unconventional ring light techniques we share in the next section. It’s time to experiment a little and have a lot of fun with ring lights in the studio:

1. Use your ring light as a standard studio light

Despite their circular shape, ring lights work great as regular lights – simply pick up the light, angle it towards your subject, and It essentially becomes a small light boxA standard 45-45 lighting pattern looks great.

Placed at an angle of 45 degrees and at a downward angle, ring lights work well as a normal light source. Although you can also use other basic lighting patterns, such as loop lighting:

If you have more than one ring light, you can use them together to create almost any two-light setup you can imagine. If the ring lights you own offer adjustable output, managing key-to-fill ratios should be fairly easy.

You're not limited to the shape of the ring - use flags to block parts of the light and create any shape you want!

2. Use your ring light as an accessory

LED ring lights don't get very hot, so if you have one, test the temperature and then feel free to let your subject pose with the ring for some unique images.

Make your subject pose with the light can create some interesting and fun portraitsIt can also help lighten the mood during a shoot. Results will vary with different sized ring lights. You do have to worry about the plug and cords, but it's still a fun technique. Just make sure you don't overuse it (the light tends to illuminate the subject from below, which isn't the most flattering angle).

3. Use your ring light as ambient fill

These days, ring lights are quite powerful, so you can add them to a studio lighting setup as a soft, natural-looking fill light.

Modern ring lights are pretty powerful. It's more than possible to use them as fill lighting in conjunction with a studio flash. A couple of things you'll want to keep in mind:

1. While ring lights are powerful, strobes are likely to blow them out of the water if not adjusted, so set the power (both on strobes and ring lights) accordingly.
2. If you are going to mix light sources, you'll probably want a ring light with an adjustable color temperature.
3. For an even more experimental approach, you can try using the ring light as your main light source and your strobes as fill. However, for this to work you will need to reduce the power of the strobe, so make sure your strobes' power can drop before committing to the technique.

4. Use your ring light as a composition device

We love creating compositions that include the ring light in the shot – check out this photo where we frame our subject’s face with the ring light:

Putting light behind your subject creates an interesting compositional element. Plus, that rim light looks really cool. And you're not limited to putting light behind your subject. You can place it anywhere in your frame to create cool effects—try placing a ring light over your subject for a halo effect, or place a ring light at an angle just inside your frame for a curved band of light that runs through the composition.

5. Try dragging the shutter

When you mix a ring light with a studio flash, it opens the door to some interesting techniques, such as dragging the shutter. Here, our shutter speed is set to 1/15s. Dragging the shutter is a fun technique that can result in beautiful photos, but it usually involves the use of a flash and some ambient light.

However, with a ring light and a strobe, you can let the ring light act as ambient fill. Fire your strobe and slow down your shutter speed for some amazing effects. This technique isn't ideal for everyone, however, it can produce interesting results.

A little warning: If you're a technically minded photographer, you'll probably hate this tip, as the results tend to be a little soft. Also, while dragging the shutter can be used for some eye-catching photos, you still need to be careful with your camera shake.

You must manage the movement of the camera while using this technique. If in doubt, it's best to use a tripod. Since the output power of your flash is not affected by the shutter speed, you can slow down the shutter as much as you need to for this to work. However, you may want to use a tripod for working with very slow shutter speeds. Ultimately, it's a technique that produces some pretty cool effects.

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Final thoughts

Well, there you have it! Some simple ideas on how to use a ring light to improve the quality of your video. Now you can confidently use this tool, and you can even create unique photos with some unconventional techniques. So have fun with a ring light or two! Do you have other ways to use a ring light? Do you have any tips for ring light photography? Share your thoughts in the comments below!