DIY Photography Hacks: how to make an LED ring light for less than £20

In this DIY Photography Hacks tutorial we show you how to create soft shadows and stylish portrait lighting from your own DIY LED ring light.

Ring lights are a great alternative to standard hot shoe flashguns. They work by illuminating the subject from a source of light that surrounds the lens rather than sitting on top of the camera. The result is a clean even spread of light that complements portraits and still life subjects.

A ring light flash will set you back in excess of £200 – and this cost quickly escalates if you go for a branded version from Canon or Nikon.

With the advent of high-powered LEDs, there are many constant ring light alternatives such as the Sony HVL-RL1, although this will still set you back almost £300. The other option is to build your own.

In this project I’ve used a ring light designed for a parasol, and simply remodelled the hole where the pole goes through to make it wide enough for a lens to sit comfortably. The lamp itself cost around £12 from a DIY store.

In addition to the light, you’ll also need an adapter ring to screw onto your lens in order to hold the light in place. I used a filter ring adapter that cost £4.

SEE MORE: Best ring flash for photographers – 5 top models tested and rated

How to make a DIY ring light for less than £20

01 Dismantle the ring light

Start by taking the light apart. The lamps usually consist of two sections that twist to unlock. Once opened, remove any of the electrics that’ll get in the way when cutting.

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02 Cut a hole through the front

Use the filter ring adapter to mark a cutting guide. The aim is to create a hole with the same inner diameter as the adapter. After cutting, smooth the edges with a file.

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03 Match the opening on the back

The back section of the ring light needs to have a hole that matches that of the front. Again use the adapter ring to mark out the diameter and enlarge the central hole.

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04 Tighten the fit

As the original clips that held the unit together have been removed, use layers of masking tape to build up the overlap of the base and top section for a snug fit.

05 Secure the adapter ring

Apply glue around the hole on the back, then position the adapter ring with the screw thread facing up. You may also need to stick the on/off switch inside the unit.

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06 Finishing off

Once the glue is fully dry, screw the base with the adapter ring onto your lens, switch on the front LED section and slot this over the base unit. Now enjoy your ring light!

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