Dan Howell wrote:
no offense John, but long lenses and ring flashes are a recipe for red eye.  Not only that, the further you get away from a subject, the less the ring effect acts on subjects.  It's simple geometery.  From a distance, the effect of a ring flash is virtually no different than an on-camera flash.

Although I've never used one or owned one... this is EXACTLY what I've also witnessed (redeye recipe) with ringlights... used by dozens of photographers who've attended the group events I host.  Granted... ringlights do create a uniquely beautiful 'universal shadow' that hallows your subject when their posing next to a flat surface... but the resulting light (in my opinion) is alittle too artificial looking for my liking.  I'm more of a reflector and natural light fan myself...

Reflector hitting Chantelle is off to my right and about 15 feet behind me...

Dan Howell wrote:
no offense John, but long lenses and ring flashes are a recipe for red eye.  Not only that, the further you get away from a subject, the less the ring effect acts on subjects.  It's simple geometery.  From a distance, the effect of a ring flash is virtually no different than an on-camera flash.

Select Models wrote:
Although I've never used one or owned one... this is EXACTLY what I've also witnessed (redeye recipe) with ringlights... used by dozens of photographers who've attended the group events I host.[/img]

Model: Sasha - Image taken in studio, ABR800 ringlight with 30" Moon Unit

I've not commented on this in the past, but I've never seen this red eye effect when using the Alien Bee ringlight. Red eye shows up when the flash is close to the lens (as it is obviously with a ring light) AND the iris is wide open (as in shots done in low light). I use the ringlight (as demonstrated in several attached pictures) as a useful fill light (the natural light keeping the iris small) or as a beauty light in the studio where the modeling lights (which on the ABR800 are very bright) reduce the size of the iris.


Model: Ivelina Ivanova - Mid day shot by pool, ABR800 with 30" Moon Unit, no diffuser

Small lens mounted ringlights or ones without adequate modeling lights may cause this effect (and I have no doubt they do), but this is not the case with either the Alien Bees ABR800 ringlight or the Zeus Ringmaster pack and head ringlight.


Model: Brandi Quinones - Shot done outside at sunset, ABR800, no modifier, 200mm lens

John

PS: And from my good friend Dan Howell, no offense could be taken!
--
John Fisher
910 West Avenue, Suite 306
Miami Beach, Florida  33139
(305) 534-9322
http://www.johnfisher.com

Lawrence Keeney wrote:
I have been shooting with the ring flash since they were introduced, and have probably shot well over a thousand photos with it. Not a single red eye in the bunch.

Lawrence

I must be doing something wrong then.  I had a shoot this past couple of days where I shot about 150 images with the ring light.  Of them, I'd say off the top of my head that 50-60 of them had terrible red eye and looked like they had been shot with a snap shot camera (in terms of the red eye).

I think this was likely because we were shooting in a garage, and the light was insufficient. 

I personally have found the ring light to be hit or miss.  I actually hired a model just to test the ring light after having done several shoots with it and having problems on each one.  I decided to hire a model and just test the equipment to work everything out.  Result - improved images except for the red eye that I am noting now.

I'll probably do a new round of tests in the coming week.  In the interim, I ordered one of their moonlights to see if it does better.

Best Wishes, Jason

RAW-R IMAGE wrote:
I hear ya about the comfort. I've heard models complain---A LOT!! about the ringlight after effects. Worrisome. Thanks for tip--I'll try it. I think we photogrphers really never understand what it is like with strobes constantly popping in our faces!!

Keep the modeling lights at full power and set the flase at a lower power level to reduce the strain and discomfort to the model.  This also helps to make the puples smaller with less redeye and a more pleasing look....

Andy Jonelis wrote:

Keep the modeling lights at full power and set the flase at a lower power level to reduce the strain and discomfort to the model.  This also helps to make the puples smaller with less redeye and a more pleasing look....

My favorite thread in months.

Ronald jerome Brown wrote:
ThAnKS For thEe InFoRmatIoN EvErYoNE. I oderEd My AbR 800 RinG bEe pacKagE And VagAbonD ToDaY.will Be heRe On thuRsDay. VagAboNd On bacKoRder TIl MiD MaY.

Who types this way?

JSVPhotography wrote:

Who types this way?

Ronald jerome Brown, apparently.