What is the Ring Flash used for?

A ring flash is, as the name suggests, a camera flash that’s shaped like a ring. This ring-shaped light can take many forms, however. Some can be mounted on the end of camera lenses for certain types of photography or placed on a stand for better portraits or one might even see it being used in scientific and medical imaging applications.

The main advantage of a ring light over other types of camera flashes is its ability to uniformly light a subject. Other types of flashes can cast harsh shadows, which a strategically placed ring flash can avoid.

Macro photography

One of the most popular use-cases of a ring flash is macro photography. For macro photos, you generally have to move your camera lens very close to the subject (an insect, for example). Moving a large lens and camera so close can often obscure light sources, and even a camera flash doesn’t always help as the lens is in the way.

ALSO READ: 13 different types of cameras used for photography

Using a ring flash in such a scenario is recommended as it can be placed at the end of the lens. When triggered, the ring flash will bathe your subject in an even halo of light. Another point to bear in mind is that macro photography happens at much smaller apertures for better depth of field, in which case there’s usually not enough ambient light, making ring flashes mandatory for good photos.

Portraits and vlogs

Given its ability to create soft, even lighting, a ring flash is great for portrait photography. You’ll find that a lot of fashion photographers, models, and influencers use ring flashes for this reason. Using a ring flash reduces harsh shadows and can even smooth out the skin, allowing photos to look a little more professional. 

The same principles that apply to portrait photography largely apply to vlogs as well. This is because most vlogs involve close-ups of people’s faces as they speak to the camera. Ring flashes are great here, you do lose some character that mood lighting can bring, so use ring flashes wisely.

Product photography

Another area where ring flashes shine is product photography. Products that are evenly lit tend to look great and print great, which is why ring flashes are so common. They’re especially useful for shooting products for shopping sites as accurate portraiture is more important than a cinematic presentation.

ALSO READ: Sony vs Canon: Which camera brand is for you?

Ring flashes are a useful tool to have in your arsenal as a photographer or vlogger. However, they’re not a one-stop solution to all your photography problems and you do need some understanding of lighting and shadows to truly understand how to use a ring-flash well. They are beginner-friendly though, so it’s easy enough to get started with ring flashes while you master your camera.