The ring light and content creation seem to go hand in hand, particularly for people starting out as influencers.
“Nearly every photo or video creator or influencer right now uses a ring light,” according to content-creator platform Filmstro. “This is because the bright, even lighting has the ability to transform amateur video content into something that looks more high quality, well produced, and professional.”
Appealing, right? Let’s take a closer look.
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Their name gives away their game: Ring lights are circular devices that emit light from a 360-degree ring. You can either fit them directly onto a camera lens or simply shoot right through them.
That unique circular design holds the key to their success. Light evenly hits your face (or whatever else you’re filming), eliminating unflattering shadows and producing soft, attractive illumination. They’re great for Insta-worthy selfies and looking sharp during Zoom calls, but they’re mostly used by content creators shooting videos.
“As a content creator…[a ring light] is the only thing I would say, if you can invest in, please do it,” says content creator Ademide. “You will not regret investing in a ring light, because your content game will go zero to 100 with just one light.”
Whether you’re hoping to emulate Ademide’s success landing paid user-generated content (UGC) work or looking to film long-form YouTube videos, here’s what makes the ring light so beloved among content creators.
1. They’re easy to use.
Ring lights are so darn convenient. “You don’t really need to learn how to set up a ring light,” Daniela Bowker writes for Artlist. “Neither do you have to spend heaps of time adjusting light positions as you might with a traditional three-point lighting setup.”
Whatever camera you’re using, just shoot through the light and you’re ready to go. Plenty come with phone holders fitted to simplify use for beginners. If you need to adjust the setup, easy compatibility with tripods and stands allows for endless variations, while portable designs eliminate any transportation woes.
2. They’re flattering.
Even if personal appearance isn’t central to your brand, looking good on camera is a professional necessity for most content creators. Ring lights help make it happen.
“It’s just really beautiful light,” says photographer and content creator David Suh. “It’s a relatively soft and diffused light that illuminates our face [and] full-frontal 360.… In the photography industry, we call this the ‘beauty light’ because it’s a flattering light for any single person.”
Bright light reduces the appearance of blemishes (think large pores and wrinkles) and smooths out your skin. Even illumination from all angles prevents unflattering shadows. Small reflections in your eyes (known as “catchlights”) add depth and vitality to the most expressive part of your face.
Check out the instant transformation when influencers such as Iskra Lawrence and Camille Wight switch on their ring lights. Small wonder that beauty and skin-care creators swear by them.
“Nothing compares to the power of a ring light,” says beauty influencer Adina Yaffa. “I have tried many lights, but honestly I’m going back to the ring light because it’s just so much brighter [and] my videos look so much clearer.”
3. They’re ideal for close-ups.
Doctors and dentists developed ring lights before influencers and content creators were a thing – not to post close-up pictures of their patients, but for better vision. Their even light and ability to prevent shadows proved perfect for close-up examinations.
They’re also great when you need to get close for:
- Clearly applying makeup, showing the true colours of products and exactly how your features are enhanced
- Emphasising fine details on products ranging from jewellery to small electronics
- Shooting short-form content that followers are as likely to view on a smartphone screen as a laptop or desktop monitor
“Ring lights can also be used to make great product videos,” Bowker writes. “They emphasise detail, and you don’t have to wrestle with shadows. In addition, if you’re changing positions to show off the product from varying angles, you don’t have to adjust your lights accordingly.”
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As fantastic as ring lights are for content creators, don’t think they’re all you need to meet every need. Consider upgrading your lighting setup when:
- Lighting should appear more natural. Flat, shadowless illumination may be ideal for talking-head videos and beauty content, but the more natural light you may associate with a film set requires a more complex three-point lighting setup.
- You’re lighting a larger area. Ring lights are the bee’s knees for close-up use of a single individual, but they’ll generally lack the power to light a larger room or equally illuminate more than one person.
1. Adjust the colour temperature.
Set a temperature of around 5,500 K for a warm look that replicates natural daylight and enhances the richness of colours. Go lower for a cooler, cleaner, and more clinical atmosphere.
2. Adjust the brightness.
Lower brightness settings often suit well-lit rooms or outside shooting, but you’ll want to increase brightness in low-light environments. Just don’t go too bright and wash out your subject.
There’s typically a touch of trial and error involved in learning how to use a ring light’s brightness settings to best effect, so play around until things feel right.
3. Find the right height and distance.
Try keeping the height of your ring light the same as your subject – usually around eye level when the subject is yourself – and around 1 or 2 feet away. A slight downward tilt should keep shadows from appearing beneath the eyes and chin.
4. Set the right angle.
For shooting in the classic front-on view common to content such as product reviews and makeup tutorials, keep the ring light positioned symmetrically around your face or the object you’re filming.
Bespectacled content creators may want to opt for a 45-degree angle instead, since ring lights are notoriously good at reflecting off glasses, as demonstrated by YouTuber and glass artist Derek Hunt.