Ring lights are a great addition to any photographer’s toolkit. Although they can sometimes be on the expensive side, they are essential in getting that perfect glow you’ve been looking for. These circular-shaped lights are great because you can put your lens through it, essentially eliminating any glare or shadows that may be caused by other types of lighting.
We know ring lights are a great tool for photographers, but are they good for product photography specifically? The simple answer is, yes! Ring lights are great for getting the perfect glow on whatever product you’re photographing.
We are going to explore the reasons why you should get a ring light, make some recommendations about which kind to purchase, and how to set them up. Let’s get started.
What is a Ring Light?
As the name suggests, a ring light is a circular-shaped light that is typically powered by LED or fluorescent lights. They most commonly come in three generic sizes–12-, 14-, and 18-inch.
A ring light is typically held up by a stand which helps so that you can place the light in the best position for shooting. The main advantage of a ring light is that you can put your camera through the middle of it, meaning your camera is directly in the center of the light source. As a result of this, you can obtain amazing, bright pictures that don’t fall victim to any form of nasty shadows or glare.
Ring lights were originally produced as a beauty product. As the ring light produces an amazing range of natural-looking lighting, it is seen as the perfect beauty option for preparation.
Since there is such a wide range of ring lights available, they have become a favorite lighting option among amateur and experienced photographers alike.
Why is a Ring Light Good for Product Photography?
A ring light is perfect for product photography because you can set the light up at a certain distance away from the products and achieve beautiful lighting that matches up on every shot.
Not only can you achieve amazing lighting with a ring light, but due to its circular design, you can put your camera right in the center of the lighting, essentially eliminating any possibility of glare or shadows from appearing. This naturally softens the image, making it more aesthetically pleasing to the eye.
A ring light will expose every part of the product you are photographing while still separating it from whatever your chosen background is. The result is sharp, bright images that really make the product stand out.
The sheer power of lighting on the aesthetics of product photography is astounding, and the best types of ring light will embrace this fact to help you produce amazing product imagery.
Benefits of Using a Ring Light
Below are some of the main benefits of using a ring light for your product photography.
- Amazing close-up lighting
- Eliminates any stubborn or harsh shadows
- Pleasing lighting to the eye
- Evenly distributed lighting
- Soft light quality
- Limits glare
- Makes colors stand out
Where to Buy a Ring Light
A limited range of ring lights can be purchased from most furniture and general goods stores. However, if you would like a greater choice, then you should look into a photography store or if one isn’t conveniently located near you online.
We have a few to suggest that you look into. These range from very basic ring lights to much more advanced professional ring lights.
Basic
The Emart 10-inch Ring Light with Adjustable Tripod is the perfect choice for a beginner photographer who is looking to enhance their product photography through this exciting method of lighting.
This model comes with eleven different brightness levels and three lighting modes so you can find the perfect lighting needed for your product photography. The only downside to this basic ring light model is that the ring itself is quite small – too small, in fact, to place your camera through the middle. This means that images may be susceptible to some glare or shadowing as a result of the lighting not completely surrounding the lens.
Advanced
The Neewer Ring Light Kit is an excellent choice for more advanced photographers who are willing to spend a bit more to get those perfect product shots.
At 18-inches, this ring light is perfect for getting those perfectly lit product shots as there is plenty of room in the center of the light circle to place your camera. This means that the lighting can fully surround the camera lens, which results in amazing shots with limited possibilities for glare and shadows to get in the way.
Ring lights vary in price depending on whether you are looking for a basic or a more advanced model. They usually fall somewhere between the $25-$200 range. As you can expect, the more you pay, the better the light will be. Higher-priced models often feature advanced technology and have more options for dimming and offer better lighting controls.
How to Set Up and Use Your Ring Light
Setting up and using your ring light is relatively simple, and you can get started within a matter of a few minutes.
The first step is to remove all the relevant equipment from the box and attach the ring light to the stand, which is usually provided with it. Your ring light will come with an instruction manual that explains how to set up that specific ring light. However, the basic process is usually the same.
You will need to screw the light onto the stand before testing out the electrics by plugging the light in and switching it on. Check that the bulbs are fully working and are bright before attempting to use the ring light.
To take a picture using your ring light, you want to hold your camera in the center of the light to ensure the lens is completely surrounded by light. Many professional ring lights will come with a camera stand in the center of the circle that can be adjusted to fit your camera model. To use this, simply attach your camera to the stand as per the instruction manual, and you can then take amazing pictures and videos hands-free.
Some more modern versions of ring lights feature Bluetooth technology so that you can easily take photos from a distance without the need for a photo timer. You will need to check if your device or camera has the relevant Bluetooth technology needed to set this up.
For a more detailed step-by-step guide on how to set up and use your ring light, check out this video.
Ring Lights for Product Photography – Final Thoughts
In general, a ring light is a very good and effective tool for use with product photography. With such a huge range of ring lights available, you are sure to be able to find the right one that suits your photography needs.
The best thing about ring lights is their ability to produce aesthetically pleasing lighting that is perfect for taking product images that really pop. Not only does this type of lighting make products appear clearer, but it also makes the product stand out even more than every against the chosen background.
With a bit of time and practice using a ring light, premium-quality images can very easily be obtained with minimal effort. Whether you are an amateur photographer or a much more advanced photographer, ring lighting is an effective tool for everyone.
