Good lighting changes everything. It smooths harsh shadows, makes your subject stand out, and helps your photos and videos look clean and professional—without complicated gear. That’s why ring lights have become a go-to tool for creators, coaches, educators, and anyone filming content for YouTube, TikTok, webinars, and live streams.
If you’ve ever looked washed out, too shiny, or oddly orange on camera, the fix usually isn’t a new camera. It’s your lighting. This guide breaks down exactly how to use a ring light so you can get soft, balanced lighting in almost any setup.
A ring light is a circular lighting device designed to shine light evenly on a subject. It can sit in front of you on a stand, or in some setups, surround the camera lens. Because the light comes from a more centered direction, it helps reduce harsh shadows and creates a soft, flattering look, especially on faces.
Ring lights were originally used in medical and dental photography to reduce shadows in close-up images. Today, they’re everywhere because they’re simple, consistent, and easy to adjust.
For creators filming themselves speaking—tutorials, UGC, product demos, online courses, live streams: a ring light is often the fastest way to get clear, even face lighting.
Ring lights are popular for one main reason: they make lighting easier to control. Instead of dealing with uneven lamps or harsh overhead lights, a ring light can give you a balanced glow that looks good on camera in minutes.
Here’s what makes them so effective:
Not all ring lights are the same. Choosing the right type depends on what you film and how much space you have.
These mount near the lens and are commonly used for macro photography or close-up detail shots. They’re great for jewelry, small products, and tight framing because they reduce shadows when you’re working very close to the subject.
These are placed on a stand and positioned in front of the subject. They’re the most popular option for creators because you can adjust height, angle, and distance quickly.
Larger ring lights typically provide softer, more forgiving light and cover more area—helpful for wider framing, full-body shots, or filming in darker rooms.
Bigger ring lights usually look softer because they behave like a larger light source.
A ring light can be bright, but “brighter” isn’t always better. The goal is soft, clean lighting—not a spotlight.
Here are the easiest ways to get the most out of your ring light without making your face look shiny or washed out:
How to get softer light without blasting brightness:
Once you know the basics, ring lights become very flexible. The best setup depends on what you’re filming and how reflective your subject is.
Use this as your default, then adjust:
For portraits, place the ring light in front of your subject and keep the camera near the center. Set the light slightly above eye level to get flattering facial definition while keeping shadows soft. If the face looks flat, shift the ring light slightly off-center.
Ring lights can make products look crisp, but reflections are the main challenge.
For vlogs, tutorials, interviews, and live streams, ring light setup for video:
For tiny subjects like insects or jewelry, on-camera ring lights can be especially useful. They provide even illumination at very close distances so you can capture detail without harsh shadows.
If you’re filming while reading a script, lighting affects more than quality—it affects how confident you look.
Use this setup:
This simple setup makes scripted delivery look calmer and more polished.
Positioning is the difference between “nice lighting” and “why do I look weird on camera?”
For portraits and video, place the ring light in front of the subject and position the camera as close to the center of the ring as possible. This helps keep light even and flattering.
Small adjustments matter. Tilt the light slightly downward from above eye level. If your face looks flat, shift the ring light slightly left or right to introduce gentle shadow and depth.
Here are some additional tips to help you make the most of your ring light:
Once your ring light sits slightly above eye level and matches your room lighting, your videos will look cleaner with fewer retakes. Save your best setup—height, distance, brightness, and color temperature—so you can recreate the same look every time.
If you’re filming scripted content, pair this setup with a teleprompter workflow to keep your eye contact steady while you focus on delivery.
Set the ring light on a stable stand and place it slightly above eye level, angled down. Mount your phone/camera close to the center opening. Start with low brightness, then raise it slowly. Match the color temperature to your room lighting before you record a quick test clip.
For video, keep the ring light near the camera line so your face stays evenly lit. Position it slightly above eye level, start dim, and increase brightness until skin looks natural (not shiny). Match color temperature to the room, then tweak the angle to avoid glasses glare.
The best placement is directly in front of you with the camera near the ring’s center, slightly above eye level, and angled down. This reduces shadows and keeps eye contact looking natural. If your face looks flat, shift the light a few inches off-center for depth.
Start with low brightness and increase gradually until your face looks evenly lit without blown-out highlights on your forehead or cheeks. Set the color temperature to match your room (warm indoor lights → warmer setting, daylight → cooler setting). If your camera keeps shifting color, reduce mixed lighting sources.
If you film talking-head videos, a ring light is fast and keeps your face evenly lit. A softbox often looks more natural for wider shots and adds more depth. Choose ring lights for simple solo setups; choose softboxes when you want softer shadows and a more cinematic look.
