So, ringlights have become pretty popular these days (along with 50mm primes, like the 50mm f1.4 G Nikon lenses). Which is understandable, times are rough and Profoto’s stellar ringflash weighs in at about 1500 bucks, without pack, putting it well beyond most weekend warriors. So, the prospect of using any Canon flashes or Nikon flashes one might already own to a simlar effect is, you gotta admit, pretty tempting.

So, finding myself bored last night and deciding between organizing the towel closet and doing something productive, I decided to give a go at making one of the DIY ringlights whose formulas can be found bouncing all over the photographic intertubes.

The results?

Functionallity: 1

Aesthetics: 0

In my quick test shots the thing does work as advertised, throwing a nice even ring of light which makes headshots shine as all harsh shadows are removed from faces leaving behind only soft, sumptuous modeling.

But, boy, it is friggin’ ugly. Some more black tape on the outside would help things, but only in the same way that giving Michael Jackson a new nose would help things.

But, it does work, so I’m already plotting a Mk II. I think maybe a couple Harbor Digital flash adapters and a nice wide throw reflector might make for a better start. We’ll see.