The Ring Flash Repository

The effects of a ring flash are rather in vogue right now. It used to be that only macro and the occasional fashion photographers needed ring lights. But thanks to Dave Hill and his signature wraparound style, we all want to be cool hard light photographers. And so, many people have worked up do-it-yourself ring lights, because $400 for an ABR800 is a bit much, not to mention you need a large battery to make it portable.
Here are just a few links to the do-it-yourself models.

• David X. Tejada has put together a nice and portable unit with the help of a salad bowl, some ducting, two feet of dental floss and a paper clip.


• David Hobby went large scale with his multi-light setup, which is probably not designed to be used around the easily frightened.


• Paul Duncan put together the simplest design, which works well in the studio.

Duncan's ring light is the only one I have tried so far because the other two require parts that I don't have around the house. I plan to try Tejada's next, though I will probably form the base from a bit of steel instead of buying a flex arm.