Softboxes or ringflash?

[moranphotography]

A family friend is organising a Charity Ball in Manchester in August and I wanted to offer a her a photobooth service to try and create the charity some additional revenue.

SO I guess my question is, I normally shoot with flashguns and think they may struggle taking pictures all night etc and thinking of hiring some studio lights and a back ground etc, then I had a thought of getting a ringflash instead of soft boxes to give a different look. I am sure people here have had experience of doing this sort of thing before and wondered what recommendations might come out of this?


Phil

 

[ianmarsh]

I've done photobooths for kids at school fairs and found the ringflash to be excellent given the moving targets. But for what I assume to be an adult charity ball I'd think the softbox approach to be more conventional and reliable (especially if you have to light more than one or two people together).

 

[Deleted member 34016]

Ringflash is ok for Macro shots or single subjects ( one person) but I too think you'd struggle with a group shot- softbox or maybe off camera flash guns would serve you better me thinks

Les

 

[itsdavedotnet]

bear in mind that with a ring flash - if you move further away to get a bigger group in - you obviously have to adjust power to match, so will be fiddling with the power a lot.

Could offer something different though.

 

[Jerm]

Softboxes every time for this kind of event.

As has been said, do you really want to have to adjust your exposure every time ?

For these kinds of shoots I dont think that the customers will be very aware of the difference between a softbox and a ring flash TBH.

 

[boyfalldown]

soft boxes every time. As well as having to mess with your exposure every time you'll be changing the relative size of your light source as the groups get bigger. Not sure how much of an issue but you'll potentially be going to a very hard light source from very soft

 

[JonathanRyan]

ring flash = red eye

 

[tezmed]

soft boxes would be my choice..... everytime....

 

[London Headshots]

Ring flash is a lovely fill light, but on it's own it just creates a very gimmicky look that can be quite unflattering.

 

[moranphotography]

Thanks for the advice everyone, Phil