Just wanted to share this little high-tech photo tool. Ring lights are used a lot in high fashion shoots -- they create soft but strongly directional light and create interesting round catch-lights in the subject's eyes, rather than the bright pin-prick of a small flash or even the rectangle of a soft-box. The only problem, they can can be a little spendy. I found directions to make one on-line (there are many approaches out there, just search for DIY ring light). And with about $5 invested (less than $3 for cheap plastic bowls, another two for silver duct tape), I found a way to make my own. Simple, cheap, lovely!

-- Sara Gettys


1) cheap plastic bowls

2) silver tape to line the inside of a larger bowl, the outside of a smaller bowl, to reflect the light.

3) The set-up, about half an hour later. Scotch tape used to suspend the smaller bowl inside the bigger one, which has a hole cut out in the back to slip over the strobe. I also used some cardboard to make a little tunnel to slip over the head of the strobe so it would be easier to secure.

4) pretty light!