>>3273256Yeah, I found I really can't use a ring light with most of my stuff because the working distance is too close to the subject. Since I'm taking photos of insects and growths, navigating around objects is also a major problem. Speed and timing can also be an issue, but only with the living subjects. One flash or bright light and they typically fly/drop/skitter off.
I think I'd need to DIY my own light rig. One that is super low profile and flexible. Then it can lay flat around a lens and be out of the way. I'll probably buy a second ring light then dismantle it to fit the form factor I need.
I was practicing last night with ladybugs, trying to catch them just as they take off for flight. Holy shit, that was difficult. I have them indoors under artificial light. The working distance is about 3 inches and I'm doing it handheld. I was getting much better near the end when I finally quit. It was all about anticipating and watching how their body moves just before flight. The LCD screen sucks for this because it is delayed a bit from real time. So, I have to anticipate further ahead when pressing the button to take the photo. Most of that I didn't need to adjust exposure too much since I was training to do this later on in the summer time in my garden under natural light.
After an hour and 500+ photos, I was finally able to get a single photo, though it isn't a good photo since I'm indoors with shitty light, exposure that's too slow, and doing it handheld.
>pic fully related 