When it comes to artificial lighting sources, there are many to choose from with each serving a specific purpose. One particular light that is popular amongst YouTubers, makeup artists and photographers is the very functional ring light!
You can check out my list of Best Ring Lights!
Why are these lights so popular in 2020?
Well as I touched on above, they can be used for such a wide range of uses which means they are accessible to more people. Whether it’s YouTube, Tik Tok, Instagram, online meetings, etc., a ring light is going to be an absolute life saver.
Ring lights are also quite inexpensive which makes them a goto lighting source!
So What Is a Ring Light?
As the name suggests, a ring light is simply a hoop of light which is typically lit by LED or fluorescent lights. Generally they come in sizes of 12″, 14 and 18″ in which you can put your camera in the centre of the circle of light which is typically held by the included lighting stand.
This is one of the biggest advantages of using a ring light as your camera is directly in the middle of the light. As a results of this, one gets an extremely vibrant and shadowless light on the subject. If one was to use a soft box or umbrella light, the camera would have to be at and angle which makes lighting a little tricker.
When it comes to the lights within the ring light itself, you can choose from LED’s or fluorescent bulbs. Personally I prefer LED’s as they produce a more vibrant light, have a longer shelf life, are color temperature controlled and can be dimmed.
Who Uses Ring Lights?
As I mentioned at the beginning of this article, there is a long list of creative people that choose these lights. For my own personal use, I use selfie ring lights for YouTube, Tik Tok and photography.
Ring lights are exceptional for makeup/beauty videos, especially when you pair the ambient light with a good camera.
Portraits, product reviews, photography, studio lighting, back lights, makeup application, vanity lights and interviews.
I’m sure I’ve missed some uses, but you get the picture, these lights can be used for a wide variation of uses! If you have come up with any other uses, please let me know so I can add them to this article.
Popular Uses For Ring Lights
Ring lights are popular because they have so many different applications. They’re most commonly used in photography and videography but can have other applications. Here’s a quick look at some of the best uses for your quality ring light.
Portrait Photography
Portrait photographers love to use ring lights for studio photography because they offer a diffused and softer light that enhances the appearance of the photo subject. There are no harsh shadows to highlight imperfections and the contour of the face isn’t altered.
You can tell if someone is using a ring light for portraits or selfies by the circular reflection of white light in their eyes. The beautiful highlights in the eyes also make the portraits look more captivating and attentive.
These LED lights are certainly a worthy investment if you’re looking for a way to improve your selfies for social media or if you need a good portrait photo for your resume.
Macro Photography
Taking pictures of small items or stills can be challenging if you don’t have a high-quality camera at your disposal. A ring light will focus the light output on your macro photography subject and distribute the light evenly over your photo subject. No dark shadows are created and the color temperature can be altered for a natural look.
Ring lights are ideal for small business owners who want to photograph their products. This type of lighting equipment along with a photo box is ideal for capturing gorgeous photos of jewelry, food, craft products, clothing items, cosmetic products, beverages, plants, and just about anything else under the sun.
Videography Content
Ring lights are extremely affordable. They’re used by all sorts of content creators who want to make videos for popular social media sites like TikTok, Twitch, YouTube, or even Facebook.
With a circular light, you can create high-quality video content or vlogs that look well-lit, even if the content is recorded inside a room or on a poor quality device like a simple webcam or phone camera.
Video Calls
People working from home and influencers often need to make video calls or create live streaming videos for their social media channels. A ring light is an ideal tool to enhance your appearance for video conference lighting when you’re engaged in virtual meetings or for any type of live session.
Makeup Application
A ring light is a handy tool whether you’re a makeup artist or simply want to apply professional quality makeup at home. The bright light is ideal for enhancing your facial features and for creating realistic skin and makeup product colors.
These lights are ideal for morning makeup sessions because you’ll get a very realistic idea of what your makeup and hair will look like to others in the natural light.
Skincare Routines
These circular lights are ideal tools to use in the bathroom when you’re trying to care for your skin. The soft light will highlight your face and skin and give you a very clear view of skin imperfections. You can check your skin for blemishes, pimples, dead skin cells, dirt, oil buildup, and unwanted hair.
How Much Do They Cost?
At the end of the day, price plays a very important role when seeking out a good light source. Unfortunately we aren’t all made of money, so picking a flattering light that is accessible to everyone is important.
When it comes to ring lights, you can pick one up for your smartphone for as low as $15! But for a more substantial unit, they range from $60-$150. It usually depends on the size of the ring and the amount of watts and LED’s that it has.
How To Use a Ring Light For Makeup, Video & Portraits?
Using and setting up one of these units is an incredibly simple task! Out of the box they take about 5 minutes to setup so one can start recording in no time!
To setup, follow these below instructions or follow the manual for your specific light.
- Unfold and extend the adjustable light stand to the desired height
- Attach the ring light to the stand via the thread or clips
- Mount the camera shoe to the stand
- Attached your camera to the screw thread and tighten
- Turn on the portrait light and dim the bulb to your desired level
- Some quality ring lights allow you to choose from colored light options or can be set to scatter light in different ways.
For more thorough instructions and steps you can check out this video below!
What Is The Best Ring Light?
Hopefully I have helped you better understand these hooped glowing devices that so many creators love. But then the nested question has to be asked… What is the best ring light?
Personally I have been using a Neewer 18″ LED Ring Light for just over a year now an I absolutely love it! For such an inexpensive product, it really does give me a lot of versatility and benefits for my video and photographic hobbies.
You can set up your DSLR or phone with the mount and point it through the light. You’ll get a remote control as well, which makes it super simple to turn on your camera and manipulate the light without having to get up!
It’s definitely one of the best bang-for-your-buck products out there. Neewer is an inexpensive but reliable brand, and their products will definitely satisfy your needs.
I highly recommend this light for new video creators, Tik Tokers or anyone who appears on camera!
