I have a ring flash and I like it!

Hi Bloggerville!
How have you all been? Sorry I have been away for so long! I swear I can explain! Its been an exciting and busy year for me, thus I haven't had the time to update anything! In a nutshell:

1. I did a change of job role in my company, Pre Sales for Software isn't my thing! So meet the new receptionist at Epicor Software Australia. The Job role seems simple, but it really requires a lot of hand, eye, mouth coordination!  
2. My friends have been visiting me, first it was Edna & Kerry almost at the same time, then it was Kerry again and then Meliza
3. My bestie Allyson arrived in Feb to further her education
4. I finally went back to Singapore for a long awaited holiday
5. My other bestie Amanda is preggers with another lovely baby girl - almost due son actually! 

So, enough of my life and on to today's topic- Ring Flash. Have any of you looked and admired some product shot photographs and wonder how in the world did they manage to pull a shot so perfect. Of course a lot of it is in the "Eye for Photography", but some people have this and some don't. I guess its almost similar to singing and dancing, some people can sing and dance, others just are not as gifted. The difference however, is that, for photography, besides having the "eye" for it, a little help from technology, really kicks your end results up a notch. Ever heard of "bad photographer, good camera". So for all online shop new starters out there, if you have spent money on a DSLR camera to do your own product shots, I suggest you add on to that and get a Macro Ring Flash. 

What is a Macro Ring Flash? It is basically a circular photographic flash that fits around the lens of your camera. Very commonly used in macro (or close-up) photography. One of it's important characteristic is providing even illumination with few shadows visible in the photograph. The origin or source of light is very close to (and surrounds) the optical axis of the lens. When the subject is very close to the camera, as is the case in macro photography, the distance of the flash from the optical axis becomes significant. Also when  the object is close to the lens, the size of the ring flash becomes significant, hence creates further softening of any shadows, this is very similar to the soft box theory. 

You can even make your own D.I.Y Ring Flash Video 1 Ring flash Video 2, if you are good with your hands. If you don't really have the time, just eBay it, I am sure you will be able to find a lot of third party compatibles - I did :) - I got mine for $40, I wanted it so I can use it for product shots.

I haven't had a chance to test my ring flash out, when I do, I will post some pictures.

I am glad that new age photography is less structured, the basic composure and all is still as important , but less, if you know what I mean. If it is anything I have learnt so far, I have learnt to just point and shoot + a ready in hand, relatively good camera + gadgets like lenses and flashes, you will be able to see a difference in your pictures.

Most importantly, any camera you have in hand to capture the moments is a good camera.

Enjoy Shooting!