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I made a DIY studio ring light and it worked! YEY
So I decided to get creative and make my own studio ring light. I'm not good with wood (ha) so I had some help from my dad, but I think we did good for our first photo project! I got the instructions from Strobist. (http://www.strobist.blogspot.com/) Here are the actual instructions: http://strobist.blogspot.com/2007/04/an … ow-to.html This is what the finished product looks like:  (this is from the website but mine is EXACTLY the same.) Some examples of photos I took with this light. (No other studio lighting used, no flash, no outside light.)    I am going to change the bulbs out to 120 watt cool lights. And take the switch off and change it to a dimmer. The cool thing is once you take the bulbs out and the light stands off the back we made it so it flips in half and the whole thing is VERY portable! All you have is 2 foldable light stands, a box of bulbs, the ring light folded in half, and a cord! Feb 18 08 09:21 am Link Laura Dark Photography wrote: I don't think you can, cool lights usually are flourescent and you can't use a dimmer of flourescent lights only tungsten. I would check into this more first to be sure. Feb 18 08 09:31 am Link Travis Feisthamel Photo wrote: And if you use a dimmer on tungsten lights the color temp will change. Make sure you adjust your white balance accordingly. Feb 18 08 09:35 am Link Travis Feisthamel Photo wrote: I have. You have to buy ones that are made for dimming. GE makes a dimming compact fluorescent light bulb (called the Energy Smart Dimming Spirals®) that is specially designed for use with dimming switches. Feb 18 08 09:36 am Link 4C 41 42 wrote: Thanks for reminding me! I didn't think of that! Feb 18 08 09:38 am Link Laura Dark Photography wrote: I stand corrected. That is good to know. Feb 18 08 09:39 am Link I enjoy these DIY projects, so I will bump this thread with one of my own  12 26watt CFL's @ 36" o.d. I just made it two days ago I haven't had a lot of time to experiment yet, but it seems like a fun new toy  Mar 18 09 12:43 pm Link Thanks, this is my weekend project. Mar 18 09 12:55 pm Link WeaponofChance wrote: how much it cost you? Mar 18 09 01:04 pm Link my avi was done with something similar... 4 feet wide with 16 bulbs... very cool light to work with... Laura, what kind of bulbs are those in your ring ? Mar 18 09 01:10 pm Link I'll try to estimate the cost, it wasn't much (2) 2' x 4' 1/2" plywood = $22 (2) springloaded hinges = $6 (2) Steel angles for drilled out to fit an unbrella holder = $4 (12) plastic keyless fixtures = $15 15' of lamp cord w/ plug = $6 (12) bulbs = $42 so about $100 depending on the little items you might need to put it together it took me about an hour to lay it out and 3 hours to build it Mar 18 09 01:19 pm Link Question... Does it HAVE to be round ? What about four flourescent tube lights in a square configuration and you're shooting through the middle? So instead of a ring of several lights, you just need to have 4 lights. Mar 18 09 01:46 pm Link No, round is just a convenience issue really... it makes for even lighting. Getting 4 tubes to provide balanced output in a square sounds complicated. I considered making the frame out of 12 individual pieces of wood with a locking pivot hinge at each end so that the shape could be adjusted. I see some interesting potential in making an oval shape for portraiture or 3/4 body shots, so a rectangle could certainly work. Of course, beware of crazy looking catchlights when making your own lights  Mar 18 09 02:04 pm Link Good job! They are a ton of fun, especially with fast lenses. I have a lot of fun using mine with the 50mm 1.8. Here is mine:  And a few photos with it:   Have fun with it! Mar 18 09 02:16 pm Link Stonefield Media wrote: I was actually going to make a couple of 4 or 6ft "strip lights" using the same CFL bulbs to see what the catch lights would look like. I suppose you could also use some diffusion material over them to even out the lilght. Mar 18 09 02:18 pm Link I wonder if LED's could be substituted.... Mar 18 09 02:21 pm Link |
