Ring flash?

[JonHartPhoto]

Whats the deal with ring flash? everywhere i look in publications its highly used and regarded as a great catch light in the eyes, although ALL the research I do online it seems to be something that is avioded in the eyes...any feedback from the light experts here?

[auddii]

Catch lights are all purely subjective. Some people will say there is a "right way". I don't even know what the standard is, but I believe there are two and at some positions on the clock. Ring lights have gotten very popular, but I'm not a huge fan of the catch lights because it tends to make people look kind of alien. Of course, I'm not a portrait photographer, so take that with a grain of salt...

[darktiger]

I bought the Elinchrom Ringflash 3 weeks ago... I got to finally use it two weeks ago.. I love it.. I have used the AB RF and did not like it... it was big and bulky and was not handholdable/convenient. As for the eyes, sometimes it can produce red eyes if shot at the wrong angle. Also when used with a zoom/telezoom it can produce a nice ring in the eyes.

RQ Ringflash Eco With Removable Diffusor - Ranger Quadra | Elinchrom

Here is a few examples...

Bad Teacher by darktiger, on Flickr


Leighanne by darktiger, on Flickr


Contained by darktiger, on Flickr

[groovyone]

Still rockin it, Stan!

[JonHartPhoto]

nice pics, have any that are head shots where you could really see the light in the eyes?

[darktiger]

no, but this weekend I will try to grab some

[Photogdude]

it' basically a tool to use when you want that certain lighting effect. It became popular a number if years ago in the fashion industry.

To answer your question of wether it should be avoided, is, there is no rule, the only question is do you want that effect or not??

[darktiger]

To me I love that effect. Also when shooting outdoors, it fills in shadows very nicely.

I will post some examples when flickr comes back up.

[darktiger]

Here are some outdoor shots using just the ringflash


Jakaline by darktiger, on Flickr


Heather by darktiger, on Flickr


Heather by darktiger, on Flickr

[darktiger]

In the middle by darktiger, on Flickr

So to me it is great for portable power when I do not want to setup light stands, modifiers, etc....