Does anyone here use a ring light for photography?

[Deleted]

I saw this on facebook with several sellers saying they used it.  If you do, do you use other lights as well?  What does your set up look like?  

[zoesam]

The glowing orb in the sky that's about 93M miles away. Aka the sun.

[SA]

I have something very similar to these (can't find the listing where I purchased) But I have 2 regular height and one lower height (but haven't opened it yet - I need to).
It works OK for the $29.99 I paid for it. I think it's my lack of photo skills vs the lights in some of my listings

That ring looks cool, but it's expensive. It looks like it will work well for tops, but probably not for dresses.

[Deleted]

I have the same lack of photo skills. I need something to take all the issues away and can't find that one perfect thing!

[Deleted]

My day has been completely weird on all fronts. I just realized where I posted this, I need a break and it's almost 5 here!

[SA]

LOL! I didn't even realize that. I just check "recent" and all the threads come up in most posted in order.

www.ebay.com/itm/Neewer-400W-5500K-Photo-Studio-Continuous-Lighting-Umbrellas-Kit-for-Photography-/311496811402?hash=item4886a8238a:g:1rwAAOSwZVlXrtPa

HERE is the set I have. (well, close enough - same brand)

Let me tell you - I just received one of my two backdrops and WOW! What a difference. Even with my lighting kit and plain backdrops, I was getting shadows, blurriness, trouble with the camera focusing sometimes. But these pictures were so easy.

[sunsetpainter]

I think I bought the same setup as Liz. I only use them if I need to take pics after dark. I didn't see much of a difference between the lights and natural light. But at night they are great because all my lamps have the yellowish incandescent bulbs.

[Deleted]

Those look nice Liz, I may try them. I have the old lights on an IV pole set up and they just don't give me what I need. What back drops did you get. I have one black and one white muslin.

[SA]

That's what I have too - the black and whit. Decided to give the backdrops an update. I'm getting ready to post listings with the new backdrop and will share.

I switched to these lights from the IV poles also. I think my pics look better. Still having some problems with shadows and darkening on some though (when I use the plain white background.

[Deleted]

That's when I have issues. The white background kills me and I have major problems with teals and greens. The post I saw on facebook said a lot of the Lularoe ladies took their photos with the ring light, so I thought I'd check.

[SA]

Here are two listings I just did really quick:

www.ebay.com/itm/Chicos-Zenergy-Sz-3-XL-Giraffe-Print-Rhinestone-Bling-Safari-Zoo-Top-/122515893634?ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT

www.ebay.com/itm/Chicos-Zenergy-Sz-3-XL-Tropical-Parrot-Rhinestone-Bling-Blue-Green-Hibiscus-Top-/122515891253?ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT

Here is one I did with the regular white backdrop the other day:
www.ebay.com/itm/Kate-Spade-Sz-10-Sonja-Blue-Basket-Weave-Print-Fit-And-Flare-Dress-With-Pockets-/122515689070?ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT

I think I need to play around with moving my lighting up and down or back or something. But I think with a printed background I won't see that as much (the shadowing/discoloration in the background). It happens mostly with dresses.

Here is a top:
www.ebay.com/itm/Eileen-Fisher-Sz-3X-Bateau-Merino-Wool-Jersey-Asymmetric-Hemline-Tormaline-238-/122467550628?ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT

[SA]

But I'm not crazy about this print with this backdrop. But whatever.

www.ebay.com/itm/Chicos-Sz-3-XL-Floral-Jacobean-Print-Tie-Waist-Drop-Shoulder-Jersey-Top-/122515887729?ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT

[chapeaunoir]

If you're getting shadowing at the lower part of your items try using a white panel beneath your mannequin or whatever you use to model, and direct one of the lights toward the panel - it should reflect light upward. There's nothing wrong with having some shadowing towards the base, BTW, the Kate Spade looks great. I'm talking about deep shadow drowning the base of your item - one of the reasons I have to take out backgrounds is because of that trouble. I don't have any room for diffusion save for a tall light box to augment the daylight - I've been known to crouch with a light in one hand and the camera in the other trying to get even lighting when the item is light or white.

The umbrellas work great if you have enough room because they have to be brought out in order for the diffusing to work properly.

[Deleted]

I know this post is from a week or so ago but about the cost of a ring light. DD is getting into Instagram and a lot of the people on there film with ring lights. Most of them make their own though because a good ring light set up can be insanely expensive. I'd have to ask her exactly what is needed but I know you need several strands of white Christmas lights, there are DIY videos out there on how to make your own. They show comparisons between high end lights and the DIY Christmas lights and you honestly can't tell the difference, the DIY ring lights look great. We are going to make her up one for filming her videos and pics. Never considered using one for Ebay.