First go with a ring flash
Discussion
Not just any ring flash.....a home made ring flash! can't take the credit for the design of it as I got it from www.strobist.com (excellent site btw) and just had to have a go.
Not the most professional looking ring flash you'll ever see, but this is my prototype before I attempt a slightly better version.
I haven't had a great deal of time to use it, and it's taking some trial and error getting the settings right, but I think there is potential in these two shots:
I've done a little PP on both shots but nothing major.
Took a good couple of hours to make but early indications are that it's well worth the effort and the only cost so far is £1.10 on a roll of black duck tape!! There are diy metal versions that I'm thinking of making in the longer term. I love the soft light they give, and the catchlights too. I'm getting into the idea of controlling light a bit more and this is my first step!
Whaddya reckon?
Not the most professional looking ring flash you'll ever see, but this is my prototype before I attempt a slightly better version.
I haven't had a great deal of time to use it, and it's taking some trial and error getting the settings right, but I think there is potential in these two shots:
I've done a little PP on both shots but nothing major.
Took a good couple of hours to make but early indications are that it's well worth the effort and the only cost so far is £1.10 on a roll of black duck tape!! There are diy metal versions that I'm thinking of making in the longer term. I love the soft light they give, and the catchlights too. I'm getting into the idea of controlling light a bit more and this is my first step!
Whaddya reckon?
The short answer is that the lighting in the above shots couldn't really be achieved by using just one flashgun, in a normal way. A flashgun is somewhat limited in where it can direct light and the 'shape' of that light. Even with a flashgun bounced off a wall or ceiling you tend to find a noticeable shadow somewhere. The point of a ring flash is that by providing light all the way around the lens it gives a soft shadowless light. They are popular with macro photography and for portraits (quite a flattering light and nice catchlights in the eyes). I think it's fair to say the light in the shots above is similar to that from a small softbox.
Someone that knows more about this than me will probably be along in a moment with a better explanation!
If you see how much canon charge for a proper one you'll see the value in making one yourself http://www.warehouseexpress.com/?/photo/flashguns/canon.html#mr14
Someone that knows more about this than me will probably be along in a moment with a better explanation!
If you see how much canon charge for a proper one you'll see the value in making one yourself http://www.warehouseexpress.com/?/photo/flashguns/canon.html#mr14
Scoobydougie said:
I was reading that article on Strobist last night, think it might be a project for the weekend.
Your shots are looking good, I liked the cover on Strobist with the ring of dots, made an interesting catchlight.
I was going to go for one with the ring of dots (in fact I drew up a template on the pc for it) then decided I might tire of the effect it gave so felt the best starting point was a plain circle to begin with. Have considered making a cover for this one with holes in it, but may just make another version. As with anything like this you quickly spot ways to improve it hence the fairly rough look of this one as i didn't want to waste too much time on it. I used a white bin liner bag for the front and it's a bit ruffled, the ruffles show up in the catchlights if you shoot really close, so that's one lesson learnt.Your shots are looking good, I liked the cover on Strobist with the ring of dots, made an interesting catchlight.
ETA: you can just make out in the second shot that the top of the ring is brighter than the bottom. Tricky thing to get it even, maybe even impossible in this sort of blue peter design! The inside of the box is lined with tin foil to help the light distribution.
Edited by bramley on Thursday 17th January 16:42
crmcatee said:
Has that quality Heath Robinson look about it. Have you got much grip left for manual focus or are you relying upon autofocus.
Results look good though.
That might be a weekend project...
So far used AF only, however I may well throw my 100mm macro lens through a nearby window as sometimes it takes seconds to focus and it drives me mad (in it's defence I can't use the AF assist beam with the ring flash in place so I took to shining a torch on my wife's face to help the AF!). So far only used primes (50mm and 100mm) so haven't tried to reach for the zoom ring. It fits over all lenses even the 70-200 which was a bit of a fluke as I only really made sure it fitted the 100.Results look good though.
That might be a weekend project...
Just been trying it again actually, and trying to get the look I'm after is proving quite hard - I need to learn a bit more about technique I think.
Sure Martin, dunno if these shots tell you much though...
Sorry about the white balance, I just chucked these things on a piece of white paper on the lounge table. I went looking for a dead fly to shoot but the windowsills were empty of fly carcasses! If you want me to take another shot of something just shout.
Sorry about the white balance, I just chucked these things on a piece of white paper on the lounge table. I went looking for a dead fly to shoot but the windowsills were empty of fly carcasses! If you want me to take another shot of something just shout.
Been fiddling around in PS. My ear looks a funny colour in the first one:
One of the things I've learnt today is that it's quite an odd feeling to stick your camera on a tripod and take loads of pictures of yourself! I quickly gathered some props as that seemed to help. Also it's the first time I've done tethered shooting straight into the laptop - it was very useful for this as it saved me having to get up and check the back of the camera after every shot, it just opened up on the laptop in front of me.
One of the things I've learnt today is that it's quite an odd feeling to stick your camera on a tripod and take loads of pictures of yourself! I quickly gathered some props as that seemed to help. Also it's the first time I've done tethered shooting straight into the laptop - it was very useful for this as it saved me having to get up and check the back of the camera after every shot, it just opened up on the laptop in front of me.
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