More Flash Lighting (seems appropriate here)

[sandeha]

Another bit of flash work to end the holiday and start the new year.  Reading through the Stobist site again reminded me that years ago I thought about investing in a ring flash.  They still cost too much, so time to start rummaging in the kitchen ...

Giostyle make up-market tupperware stuff, but after a few years of use they get just as clammy as any other plastic.  But it cuts well, and doesn't split.



A few quick cuts with the hole saw, Dremel (goggles time - nothing like an eye full of hot plastic), and files ...



Note the centre piece.  I've been collecting empty filter rings for awhile (and can always use more 49 and 67mms).  The first one is from a dead Polariser - to allow swivel as needed.



   

Just a rough and ready application of aluminum foil ... I'll work on inserts maybe.  The flash reflector screws onto the filter thread and the gun pops in under - to be hand held.  Gives you full P-TTL auto if you want it.

The first shot is with the on-camera pop-up flash - brutal shadow.


The second is with the SabreLight - no shadow to speak of.


The last is with the ringflash - soft rim shadows behind.


The flash is 36GN and loses a lot of light in the ring, but it's enough for close work.

If you're interested in more someone has put up a plan for this here:
http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/09/super-cheap-diy-ring-flash.html

[Alan Gage]

HA!

That's awesome!

Alan

[TravisM]

Very cool and doable.

We should start a new forum here called Broom Closet Gear or something to
House all of these cool home brew contraptions.

[cenelson]

Gonna link/embed the diagram image from the site in the technical forum.

[sandeha]

Cool.  By all means move this to the new tech/DIY forum, IYW.

[sandeha]

I lined the reflector base with black card and a layer of foil, and then, on a bed of clear varnish, laid some gold leaf.  Here's what it looks like ...



And here's what it does.

[Glenn Thoreson]

Hey, tht's really cool! I love what the gold foil does with the colors. I thought I was the only one who saved all those rings.

[sandeha]

Great minds, see Glenn.  

[rentavet]

As Elvis would say "thank you.................. thank you very much"

[Dean Williams]

Great thinking, Sandeha!  Thanks for putting it here for us.

[Tom Hildreth]

I'm in the presence of greatness here. One side effect is that I'll no longer be able to say, "I really need a ring flash for that shot". I've got to build one of these ASAP! Thanks for the great idea, Sandeha.

[TravisM]

Please excuse my inexperience.....
What is this type of flash used for?
How wold you apply it?

[cenelson]

Travis -

You can use it as you see fit. I think intially, the concept was used in small flashes for macro work. It may have originated as a larger light source, I dunno. I know that I've seen the bigger rings used to light portraits. It gives crazy catchlights, and if not composed tightly, the shadows given by using this flash tend to be much softer and without appearance of lighting coming from one side only.

[sandeha]

It can make ord'nary folks look brutal ...


But as Craig says, it can remove all shadows for a product shot, and at the right distance on the right background it creates a rim shadow that highlights the subject.  I think I once saw a shot of a Hollywood portrait set up with a ring light hoop on a gantry - a circle of bulbs with the camera somewhere in the middle.

Most usefully perhaps, if the ringlight is used as a balanced fill, then surface shadows from the main side lights will be obliterated.  Small neon-tube rings would work as well.

And yes, I had an excuse to put on the shades in mid-winter.  :thumbsup2:

[Dean Williams]

It can make ord'nary folks look brutal ...

Yeah.  Is that our mild mannered Mr. L.
Or a gangland whack man?

Good effect.