Ring Flash options..

[Benjamin2]

I'm having some issues with shadows in my product photography and I'm thinking that the use of a ring flash will solve my problem.

http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/beyond-basics/295302-product-photography-shadows-help.html

My other problem is I don't know anything about ring flashes.. I've got a canon 7d, what are my options and what should I be looking for?

I've seen some cheap non branded ones of ebay but I'm guessing these will be no good?

Any help would be really appreciated! ...

Thanks

 

[TheBiles]

Are you using a light box for your shots?

 

[Benjamin2]

I've got two soft-boxes currently, 5500k with five bulbs and a diffuser in each light

 

[TheBiles]

I don't have any experience with off-brand flashes (I'm an OEM junkie), but you can always go with the DIY method (assuming you already have a hotshoe flash). Canon makes two macro flashes: The MT-14EX (ring light) and the MT-24EX (twin light), but they aren't exactly cheap due to their specialized niche. If you really decide that you like the ring flash and want to go for something that gives you full control over it, then you might want to look at the dedicated ring flashes.

 

[cgipson1]

I would suggest studying this book! Amazon.com: Light Science and Magic, Fourth Edition: An Introduction to Photographic Lighting (9780240812250): Fil Hunter, Paul Fuqua, Steven Biver: Books

If you have two softboxes, and you are getting shadows.. then you have the softboxes placed incorrectly. Although constant light is really inferior to flash... they can work if used properly!

A ring flash will really only help if the subjects are smaller than the ring flash, and you are at macro distances.

You should also always list what body, and other equipment you have when you ask a question like this. Some lights / equipment are hardware dependent.

 

[Benjamin2]

I would suggest studying this book! Amazon.com: Light Science and Magic, Fourth Edition: An Introduction to Photographic Lighting (9780240812250): Fil Hunter, Paul Fuqua, Steven Biver: Books

If you have two softboxes, and you are getting shadows.. then you have the softboxes placed incorrectly. Although constant light is really inferior to flash... they can work if used properly!

A ring flash will really only help if the subjects are smaller than the ring flash, and you are at macro distances.

You should also always list what body, and other equipment you have when you ask a question like this. Some lights / equipment are hardware dependent.

Thanks, this is really helpful! ... I've tried altering my setup but it doesn't seem to be improving anything, I have quite a small area to work with and I can't get my lights down the sides of backdrop because of this. My initial thought was the inbuilt flash in my 7d isn't powerful enough but now I'm not so sure.

I listed more info here : http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/beyond-basics/295302-product-photography-shadows-help.html

if you could take a quick look that would be amazing.

Thanks

 

[cgipson1]

I would suggest studying this book! Amazon.com: Light Science and Magic, Fourth Edition: An Introduction to Photographic Lighting (9780240812250): Fil Hunter, Paul Fuqua, Steven Biver: Books

If you have two softboxes, and you are getting shadows.. then you have the softboxes placed incorrectly. Although constant light is really inferior to flash... they can work if used properly!

A ring flash will really only help if the subjects are smaller than the ring flash, and you are at macro distances.

You should also always list what body, and other equipment you have when you ask a question like this. Some lights / equipment are hardware dependent.

Thanks, this is really helpful! ... I've tried altering my setup but it doesn't seem to be improving anything, I have quite a small area to work with and I can't get my lights down the sides of backdrop because of this. My initial thought was the inbuilt flash in my 7d isn't powerful enough but now I'm not so sure.

I listed more info here : http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/beyond-basics/295302-product-photography-shadows-help.html

if you could take a quick look that would be amazing.

Thanks

Did so.. replied!