Portraits - DONUT and ROUND catch lights

Surely an umbrella shout give a reasonably round catchlight?
 
Gary, that looks more like a "macro" light modifier to me. I'm no expert but I think what you're looking for is a Beauty Dish.

Personally I hate donut shaped catchlights. They look so unnatural. Give me round (=sun) or square (=window) any day of the week. Why would anyone want donut shaped catchlights? The first thing I want to do when I see donut catchlights is to fill in the centre with light. I want catchlights to look natural, not freaky.

Some opinions on catchlights here - http://photocamel.com/forum/lighting-technique/46965-catchlights.html.
 
Foggy said:
Surely an umbrella shout give a reasonably round catchlight?
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I always use an Octo (8-sided) for a Key light as it does indeed look circular, and hence more natural unless viewed ultra close

Ring-flashes look anything but natural EG, but do give a useful 'fashion' look. I've not seen any attachments this cheap before either, so if you get one by all means let me know what you think to it & with examples of course :)

DD
 
Cheers guys,

I was wanting the ability to do both (donut and round), but appreciate the comments on how unnatural it can look. This is for specific headshots of models, and I would (I think) modify the donut too (black tape sections out), I have seen an effect I think is pretty awesome, just wanted to have a go.

Gary.
 
EdinburghGary said:
Cheers guys,

I was wanting the ability to do both (donut and round), but appreciate the comments on how unnatural it can look. This is for specific headshots of models, and I would (I think) modify the donut too (black tape sections out), I have seen an effect I think is pretty awesome, just wanted to have a go.

Gary.
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Well £58 is VERY cheap for a ring-flash, the more usual studio ones were around £1,000 last time I looked so its worth a punt even if you don't like using them in the end

DD
 
ring strobe would do it or a ring shaped reflector..keep well away from the reflector and wear dark clothing
 
Gary,

FYI, the example of what catchlight from decagonal (10 sides) umbrella like softbox powered by SB-800 speedlight looks like:

Eyes3.jpg
 
DiddyDave said:
Well £58 is VERY cheap for a ring-flash, the more usual studio ones were around £1,000 last time I looked so its worth a punt even if you don't like using them in the end

DD
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That seems like a chinese knock-off of this one. I wonder how they managed to do this - the original one was designed and patented by a czech photographer...
 
dalex_257 said:
That seems like a chinese knock-off of this one. I wonder how they managed to do this - the original one was designed and patented by a czech photographer...
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Crash Taylor, a pretty fine wedding 'tog uses on of the 'proper' ones and rates it highly.
 
EdinburghGary said:
http://www.google.co.uk/products?q=...refox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&tab=nf

Sorted :)
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That Coco Ring Flash Adapter looks extremely similar to this Ray Ring Flash Adapter (which is double the price).

http://www.flaghead.co.uk/images/news/1008/Ring flash article.pdf

I have a very similar version (the earlier one) and I think it is excellent, both for macro and portraits. Because of the power range of top end guns like the Canon 580EX I use, which can go from very bright right down 1/128th power, it will do most things from macro to full length fashion.

The catch-light is not completely circular as there's a bit missing from the ring (as there is with conventional ringflash) so you would have to touch that up in post.

It gives that distinctive ringflash look when used for fashion at distance, plus the donut highlight if you move close, when it's pretty much like a small, soft beauty light. Might be what you're after :)

Edit: Here's a good example of the spooky eyes look taken with it http://www.flickr.com/photos/davealexander/3505534715/in/pool-718898@N23 Loads of other examples on that flikr link
 
DiddyDave said:
Well £58 is VERY cheap for a ring-flash, the more usual studio ones were around £1,000 last time I looked so its worth a punt even if you don't like using them in the end

DD
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I paid £29.....but since then the price has dropped to just over £20, £58 is well over the score for one of those...
 
Flash In The Pan said:
I paid £29.....but since then the price has dropped to just over £20, £58 is well over the score for one of those...
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You got a link for that Flas***P? Is it actually the same as the RayFlash, or a copy? What's the quality like?
 
I have a rayflash one, in a box but not had the chance to use the dratted thing yet!

must go and get it out and have a play.
 
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