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Portrait Lighting
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Apr 8, 2021 17:46:19   #
Silverrails
 
My question:
Is a "Ring Light Flash" acceptable for doing Portrait Photography,
Or, just close-up & Macro
I know Bounced and Diffused Soft Light is is usually necessary in good Portrait Photography.
Maybe I answered my own Question.!!

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Apr 8, 2021 17:51:56   #
wide2tele Loc: Australia
 
Yes, for one photo then it gets old and you need to change to a different lighting setup. Best to just use a normal softbox

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Apr 8, 2021 21:53:14   #
jim quist Loc: Missouri
 
deleted

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Apr 8, 2021 22:20:40   #
jim quist Loc: Missouri
 
These were all taken with an Alien Bee ringflash with the moon unit
https://www.paulcbuff.com/Flash-Units/AlienBees-Ringflash-Products/AlienBees-Ringflash.html
https://www.paulcbuff.com/30-Moon-Unit.html

Each of these were taken with a cloth backdrop, except the last photo which was black paper, and it gave even lighting on them.

That spot in the eye is a normal feature. Without the moon unit you can expect red eye.
If you want shadowless portraits and backdrops then this is light for you.
You can also use it as a soft box for side lighting or whatever.

The photographers I know who use it either use it regularly or after one or two portrait sessions they quit using it.
I like it because I think it makes for a nice one light set up for location work when space is limited.















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Apr 9, 2021 05:46:13   #
MrPhotog
 
There are many styles of lighting suitable for portraits. Ringlights are certainly included in your options. You might want to create a very large diameter ringlight to experiment with, too.

I’d avoid using them when photographing someone who was wearing glasses.

They tend to lose their effect as you get farther away from the subject, so you’ll balance that against the focal length of the lens you use, and your distance from the subject.

When you get tired of using the ringlight surrounding your lens, if it is removable you can use it from the side and get other lighting effects.

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Apr 9, 2021 11:20:12   #
Blair Shaw Jr Loc: Dunnellon,Florida
 
A One Trick Pony, basically and okay for emergency use in awkward lighting ,but I wouldn't use it continuously.

I think you have an idea where that will lead.

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Apr 9, 2021 12:26:21   #
DerexArt Loc: NYC Metro
 
Gimmick, skip it.
A ring light is appropriate dental photography.

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Apr 9, 2021 13:01:11   #
sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri
 
We are all obedient to the Laws of Physics which includes that of light. The Law states that "the intensity of the light varies with the square of the distance."

That means to us that when we use a ring flash and the subject is not close to the light, the power of the flash (intensity) would have to be increased...which may not be possible with a ring light intended for closeup use which they do a great job of.

If you are using a more wide angle lens to get you physically closer you may find that it works well. If we were to use a longer focal length then a speedlight or a means of remote flash or flashes may be more appropriate.

On the other hand, try it...you might like it.

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Apr 9, 2021 19:28:49   #
rossk Loc: Melbourne, Australia
 
images of people with guns are not a good look!

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Apr 9, 2021 19:51:23   #
jim quist Loc: Missouri
 
rossk wrote:
images of people with guns are not a good look!


To each his own. These folks being photographed would disagree with you.

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Apr 9, 2021 20:23:46   #
xt2 Loc: British Columbia, Canada
 
jim quist wrote:
These were all taken with an Alien Bee ringflash with the moon unit
https://www.paulcbuff.com/Flash-Units/AlienBees-Ringflash-Products/AlienBees-Ringflash.html
https://www.paulcbuff.com/30-Moon-Unit.html

Each of these were taken with a cloth backdrop, except the last photo which was black paper, and it gave even lighting on them.

That spot in the eye is a normal feature. Without the moon unit you can expect red eye.
If you want shadowless portraits and backdrops then this is light for you.
You can also use it as a soft box for side lighting or whatever.

The photographers I know who use it either use it regularly or after one or two portrait sessions they quit using it.
I like it because I think it makes for a nice one light set up for location work when space is limited.
These were all taken with an Alien Bee ringflash w... (show quote)


The last shot is great... Cheers!

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Apr 9, 2021 20:29:47   #
User ID
 
sippyjug104 wrote:
We are all obedient to the Laws of Physics which includes that of light. The Law states that "the intensity of the light varies with the square of the distance."

That means to us that when we use a ring flash and the subject is not close to the light, the power of the flash (intensity) would have to be increased...which may not be possible with a ring light intended for closeup use which they do a great job of.

If you are using a more wide angle lens to get you physically closer you may find that it works well. If we were to use a longer focal length then a speedlight or a means of remote flash or flashes may be more appropriate.

On the other hand, try it...you might like it.
We are all obedient to the Laws of Physics which i... (show quote)

Shouldn’t be quoting “law” to folks if you’re neither judge nor lawyer. You’re not yet ready to hang out your shingle. Certainly not in the “legal specialty” of studio lighting.

Your intensity and distance “law” does not apply to large ring lights such as used for Portrait Lighting.

It doesn’t apply to large soft boxes or light bounced from “studio flats”. It doesn’t apply to the long fluorescent tubes either.

It only applies to point sources, and it applies pragmatically to rather small sources like shoe mount flashes.

“LAWS of physics” ?!?!? Doubtful that you passed the bar exam :-(

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Apr 9, 2021 21:09:37   #
wide2tele Loc: Australia
 
rossk wrote:
images of people with guns are not a good look!

jim quist wrote:
To each his own. These folks being photographed would disagree with you.

Depends where you are from. I agree with rossk, I think it looks terrible but I'm also from the same country as rossk.
People from Australia and people in the US have very differing opinions on gun laws.
Images in this forum will be presented to a global audience. Images including things like guns a photographer should always expect will not go down well presented in a global arena.

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Apr 9, 2021 21:22:36   #
JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco
 
User ID wrote:
Shouldn’t be quoting “law” to folks if you’re neither judge nor lawyer. You’re not yet ready to hang out your shingle. Certainly not in the “legal specialty” of studio lighting.

Your intensity and distance “law” does not apply to large ring lights such as used for Portrait Lighting.

It doesn’t apply to large soft boxes or light bounced from “studio flats”. It doesn’t apply to the long fluorescent tubes either.

It only applies to point sources, and it applies pragmatically to rather small sources like shoe mount flashes.

“LAWS of physics” ?!?!? Doubtful that you passed the bar exam :-(
Shouldn’t be quoting “law” to folks if you’re neit... (show quote)



Are you saying the light from ring lights and soft boxes doesn't fall off as the distance from the subject increases? That the exposure doesn't have to be increased as the lights are moved further from the subject? That is what that "law of physics" is about.

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Apr 9, 2021 21:27:28   #
jim quist Loc: Missouri
 
I photograph my subjects according to their likes, and I really don't care what others think of it. I posted these for the original poster to help him determine if he could use this light for the kind of portraits he wants to take.
If we are going to worry what a global audience thinks of our photos then we won't be posting anything at all. Muslims will have problems with the nude section. Hungry people living in poverty will have problems with good food pictures. People who can't afford long lenses and cameras with fast shutter speeds might be offended at bird pics. People boycotting sports will have issues with sports photos. "Natural light only" photographers will have issues with anything using flash. People who can't grow flowers may hate anyone who posts a picture of a flower. etc.
So if you have an objection to pics you see on here just move on, nothing of interest to see.

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