Round Out Your Setup with Ring Lights
Believe it or not, ring lights originally had a place in doctor’s offices and hospitals prior to the age of the content creator…now your local influencer uses them to film in their kitchen. It seems like everyone on the internet started using a ring light to improve the look of their content over the last few years. Offering an incredibly simple solution to at-home lighting, ring lights are an excellent option for those looking to improve their lighting game.
Why are they effective?
Ring lights provide an extremely uniform light, eliminating shadows while providing a flattering appearance to your subject. Their ability to remove shadows is due to… you guessed it… their shape.
The circular assembly of the LED diodes creates a more full light. Offering illumination from a wider and less directional plane results in more evenly lit subjects. Usually the subject will be placed in the center of the light's output, thus providing the most optimal results from the donut shape.
Where do they come into play?
Ring lights have a wide variety of uses and if you’re reading this on ProMaster, we’re guessing you’re not looking for some for your doctor's office.
Working from home has become a very common practice in today's world and I’m sure we’ve all gotten on a call in less than ideal lighting. You're sitting there looking at yourself and you’re like “woah it looks like i'm taking this call from a cave”. Ring lights are a perfect solution to this. You can conveniently set up a small ring light like the Basis BMR1 right on your computer. A simple spring loaded clamp makes the light instantly deployable and with the internal battery you don’t have to fuss around with any cords. Place this light over your computer's camera and help yourself stand out in your next meeting.
Another great application for these lights is for content creators. You can easily improve the look of your talking head videos by incorporating a ring light. They are also a more affordable option when compared to larger continuous light setups that require a softbox and a c-stand. Our Basis BR130B is a perfect option for people looking to improve their lighting without breaking the bank. At 14” this this light offers enough spread to properly illuminate a subject, while still being small enough for easy stowing.
If you’re looking to create a wider array of content then I’d recommend taking a look at the Specialist R19RGB. This light is a beast and can powerfully illuminate subjects while being useful for a wider variety of product shoots as well. The benefit with this light is that it offers 360 hues of color, bi-color mode, and 10 special effects if you want to give your content a little added pop. All of these can be controlled with the included remote, allowing you to make adjustments while on camera. Further improving upon its convenient form factor you can power it via the included AC adapter or two NP-F style batteries, allowing you to take your light anywhere. With both the Basis BR130 and the Specialist, you have the ability to mount your phone or camera directly to light itself, making setup a breeze and eliminating the need for additional gear.
The only light source in this product photo is the Specialist Ring Light. Image is straight from camera.
The lights can also be incredibly useful if you are looking to photograph items at home to list for sale on sites like Etsy or Facebook marketplace. You can optimize listings for things like small decorations, household items, or custom made knick knacks, giving you a leg up! They are extremely versatile and can drastically improve what would otherwise be rather mundane lighting.
Coming Full Circle
If you’ve just stepped into the world of content creation or are looking to improve your appearance on company calls, then a ring light may be a perfect fit. They are simple and accessible, providing a very flattering and professional looking light without a steep barrier to entry. Ring lights are a perfect way to round out your setup!
Posted October 24, 2024.
