Ring flash

Unlike point light sources, a ring flash can illuminate a subject with minimal shadows by closely and evenly surrounding the optical axis of the camera lens.

[1] For example, Cornell University offers a photo kiosk equipped with a continuous ring light and iPad to take social media profile pictures for students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

Some ring flashes have focusing lenses that result in ideal light distribution at a particular distance from the subject.

[citation needed] This is due to the lightweight and compact features of a ring light that make it suitable for freelance beauty and make-up artists.

[citation needed] Ring flashes become more popular during the pandemic due to the growth of social media, specifically Tiktok.

The ring flash (usually LED[citation needed]) is mounted on the objective lens of an optical microscope.

A ring flash works on a microscope in much the same way as it does on a camera; it reduces reflections while bathing the subject in light.