Small constant light for catchlights...

[davidd]

Afternoon,

Does anyone have a solution to provide nice catchlights when taking portraits?

I don't really want to use flash although I'm going to experiment. I have a couple of led ring lights but they are very bright and tend to blind people (not handy). The best thing I have found so far is to use a rope light as a ring light but that is a little cumbersome.

I was thinking of a lowish power led bank that I can shove on the hot shoe..

Anyone got any bright ideas ?

Cheers

D

[Yellabelly]

Try ebay they have them as do any number of other outlets including WEX

[Gemm]

... or

[davidd]

ha, thanks. I've ordered a £10 one from the bay, we shall see how it is.

[flat-planedCrank]

Gemm said:

... or

That's a pretty cheap solution

[markmullen]

Why not use flash?

[davidd]

markmullen said:

Why not use flash?

I've tried flash and even when I stick it on 1/128 it is still a bit bright. It is more like I want the subject to look at something bright not be lit by something bright. If that makes any sense whatsoever!

[Simpo Two]

davidd said:

I've tried flash and even when I stick it on 1/128 it is still a bit bright. It is more like I want the subject to look at something bright not be lit by something bright. If that makes any sense whatsoever!

Try a diffuser on it - eg a sheet of paper in front - or adjust your settings so the 'ambient light' part of the exposure is greater.

[davidd]

Simpo Two said:

Try a diffuser on it - eg a sheet of paper in front - or adjust your settings so the 'ambient light' part of the exposure is greater.

I've tried a diffuser, maybe not a thick enough one!

[Simpo Two]

It's not the thickness but the size - spread the light source out and it gets relatively weaker as well as softer. Light is entirely predictable so it's just a juggling act with straight lines and intensities.

What shutter speed ar you using?

[flat-planedCrank]

Has your speedlite got a catch card?

e.g. http://photo-tips-online.com/review/nikon-speedlig...

If not, super-cheap to make

[davidd]

flat-planedCrank said:

Has your speedlite got a catch card?

e.g. http://photo-tips-online.com/review/nikon-speedlig...

If not, super-cheap to make

It has, does not really give me the effect I want though.

[davidd]

Simpo Two said:

It's not the thickness but the size - spread the light source out and it gets relatively weaker as well as softer. Light is entirely predictable so it's just a juggling act with straight lines and intensities.

What shutter speed ar you using?

Off the top of my head I can't remember, probably around 100/s. I can see myself getting some soft of softbox thing..