My DIY Photography Ring Light
📸 My MDF ring light took a bit of work but it's a fun and novel continuous light source.
I'm something of a ring light fan. I own a handful of Ray Flash and Roundflash modifiers, as well as this larger and more delicate DIY ring light which I build myself. I really like to soft but punchy look from ring lights, as well as the strange catchlights. While they are not to everyones taste, I personally love the novelty factor, especially for novel and fun shoots. It was portrait shooter Dani Diamond who inspired me to make this ring light in the first place, though mine is not as monstrous as his!
The main structure is MDF..
... a 26 inch (diameter) circle of MDF (half an inch thick), to be precise. There's a 16 inch circle cut out of the middle. The initial measurements were calculated somewhat haphazardly but in the end they were just about right. Had it been bigger, it would be very cumbersome, and smaller may have been less impressive, and the gap a bit small. So if you're considering making your own, the 26 inch diameter is a great starting point. There are 12 halogen bulbs. I went for large bayonet fit bulb holders, but they are available in many fits. Wiring them is a tedious task, but it's worth the effort.
The silver spray isn't just for effect, it is a neutral color rather than the brownish MDF, which was causing a cast at first. The reflective silver also increases diffusion and light efficiency. The ring light can be mounted on a light stand via an industrial "L Bracket" which is bolted to the MDF, but I'm hoping to improve on this with something more elegant in time.
It's very bright, and very hot!
At the moment I'm using 12 x 42W bulbs, and the combination creates very intense light, allowing me to shoot at low ISOs and get a very fast shutter speed. You could shoot with fluorescent bulbs to save electricity and reduce heat, but household fleuros produce inconsistent color shifts, and the professional fleuros are very expensive. Even in the film industry, where LEDs are becoming increasingly popular, halogens are still the preferred choice for many, as they produce a consistent and natural looking light. Also I live in Ireland so the bulb heat is usually a welcome artifact.
How much did it cost?
- MDF and custom cut from local woodworker = 30 euro
- 12 Bulb Holders = 18 euro
- Bulbs x 12 = 36 euro
- Silver Spray = 6 euro
= Total = 90 euro (around 100 dollars)
That's about as cheap as you could expect to make a large MDF ring light with halogen bulbs.
Here's a few test shots I did; first with the lovely @vajola, followed by two shots of my friend Steph...
@condra great post cute chicks to upvoted bro
I bet that does get very hot mate!!! Great job building the light rig and even better on the pictures.
Cheers Evan. Yeah I switch it off between groups of shots. I guess I could install a dimmer at some point. Hmmm
Yea when the model and every starts to break a sweat it isn't good lol.
LOL. Here in Ireland it's so cold most of the time, sweating is almost glamorous.
Well Im in Florida and it the complete opposite...It is never cold :/
Nice Lighting rig giving some great results, Did this cost much to make ?
Under 100 quid. Not especially cheap, but it was a fun project.
If I am ever forced to use lighting, I will look at giving this a try. Your photos are awesome. I do need to learn how to take portraits
Thanks for the comment @gringalicious! Your food photography is awesome. I'm guessing you use some lovely North facing window light? Can't wait to see some portrait shots from you.
In Chile, yes, North. Now that I am visiting the states, of course South. I only use natural lighting and of course I am always going for magic hour if I can. Maybe someday on those portraits
Thinking like a landscape photographer while taking food shots :D I like it!
Amazing shots! She's a great looking model and a fun theme :D
Cheers dude!
It is not much costly. The photos are excellent.
It sure does enhance the photography. Nice mechanical work.
Thanks. It's a unique look for sure.
That's quite the impressive DIY ring light! How long did it take to set that all up? After the lights are all in is there any fine tuning that needs to be done or is it good to go?
Ah it's not quite as impressive as Dani Diamonds..
But fun nonetheless.
It took me a couple of hours once I had all the supplies. Finding an affordable local MDF guy was a pain but I'm sure some others would have more luck with that. Once it was set up, yeah, good to go. I shoot in AV mode when I'm using constant light sources. I'm thinking of installing a dimmer switch eventually, 12 x 42 Watts is rather a lot for some basic portraits. The dimmer switch will also give me more control if I'm using it to light video.
Anyway thanks for the comment!
Excellent idea and educational post. Thanks for the tip about the silver paint. Now it makes sense as far as cast a better-colored reflection.
Thats very cool @condra. I built something similar but used some Led bulbs and holders I got at Ikea. ( budget was very tight), Love the light it produces especially the highlights around the pupil.
Hey Dan! How's things? Yeah I might build an LED version at some point. No heat, cheap to run, and daylight balanced light.
Yes leds are pretty cool. The only issue you may have is they can flicker fifty times a second when plugged in. Not sure how that would effect photos but for video you have to be careful with shutter speed.