How to Use a Standard Ring Light for Your Selfies

Snapping the perfect selfie is harder than it looks, especially in low light. With the help of a selfie light, you can brighten things up so that your selfies never look dull, shadowy, grainy, or unflattering. These are very basic instructions for how to use a standard ring light; the instructions will vary depending on the type of ring light you have.

How to Use an Attachable Ring Light or Illuminated Case for Your Selfies

The following instructions are meant to give you a general idea of how to use attachable ring lights and illuminated phone cases. They vary in design and functionality, so your specific instructions might vary a bit from what you see here.

Standard Ring Light

Standard ring lights aren’t just for selfies, of course; most professional photographers use them, particularly if they specialize in portraits. A flash is mounted in a circular ring with a hollow center. This type of ring light comes with its own stand or is mounted to a tripod. A smartphone or camera sits in the middle of the ring so the selfie is bathed in uniform lighting. The standard ring light is ideal for makeup artists and other creative types who want to showcase their skills without having to physically hold their devices. Whether you want to strike a pose or record a tutorial on how to apply winged eyeliner, a standard ring light is best because it leaves your hands free. The one major downside is that a standard is much larger and, therefore, far less convenient than one that attaches to your phone. They also can be pricey.

Mini Attachable Selfie Ring Lights

Attachable selfie ring lights are just like standard ring lights, but much smaller and without a stand or tripod. They clip onto the top part of your device so that the camera sensors are encircled. Selfie lights can be attached to any iPhone and any Android phone regardless of manufacturer. Attachable selfie right lights are ideal for people who prefer to take casual selfies and don’t mind using their hands to hold up their devices. Because they’re smaller, they’re more portable and typically more cost-effective than standard ring lights.

Illuminated Phone Cases

Illuminated phone cases take the ring light to a whole new level. This is a phone case with light emanating from its perimeter. If you want your selfie light to be as discreet and as easily accessible as possible, the illuminated phone case is for you. It’s an actual case, so you can keep it on your phone—making it the most convenient selfie light option of them all. Unfortunately, illuminated phone cases don’t offer the same protection as protective cases, so they won’t save your device should you drop it or get it wet.