photography | bluebrainreviews.com

I have wanted a ring light for a while but I can’t justify paying the price. I looked online and found a ton of videos on how to make your own ring light. I found a couple of videos that said you could make it for under $25, so I watched those and made notes.

Here are the items for the project:
Wire Wreath Frame
LED Lights
Cardboard (size should be larger than the wreath)
Aluminum Foil
Wax paper
Zip Ties
Tape

I picked up a 16-inch wire wreath frame from Hobby Lobby. I paid $1.79 with a coupon. You can find these in the floral supply area of Walmart, Michaels and JoAnn Fabrics. I would not recommend using a wreath frame smaller than 16-inch.

For the LED lights, I went to Walmart and purchased Chapter 16-inch LED Rope Light (Day Light), cost $12.84. I would recommend getting Day Light over the other kinds available, ex: soft light.

Wax paper, I picked up at Walmart for $1.43.

I didn’t need to purchase Aluminum Foil, Tape, Cardboard, and Zip Ties because I already had them.

Before I started the construction process, I considered the problem most people have after making the ring light which is attaching it to a tripod. Looking around the garage I found this metal loop thing, I don’t know what it is called. I thought I could make some kind of handle with it.

I was able to get it in between the frame and secured it with the zip ties. With this makeshift handle, I’m able to attach it to my tripod using a clamp. You can find clamps at Home Depot for a $1.

Construction:
1. Make an outline of the wreath on the cardboard. This will be used as the backing for the wreath.
2. Cut it out.
3. Take the foil and wrap it around the cardboard cutout. This will help the light reflect more.
4. The wreath needs to be facing outward. So the lights pop out when wrapped.
5. If you have made a handle you will need to figure out where at the top to start to attach the lights so the plug will end close to your handle.
6. Attach your lights with the zip ties starting on the outer rim working your way in. When you reach the plug, secure it to the back of wreath so it won’t be visible from the front.
7. Cut all the excess off the zip ties. I ended up using a nail file to file the zip ties after cutting them because they were sharp.
8. Attach the wreath to the cardboard using the zip ties.
9. Take the wax paper and wrap it all around and secure that with tape. The wax paper acts like a diffusion cloth.

I skipped doing #9 because I have such poor lighting in my place. I might change my mind and add it later. So you decided whether or not you need this step.