It’s the go-to ring light for TikTokers, Musers, Reelers and Mobile Content Creators (says Joby)
(Image credit: Joby)
The Joby Beamo 12-inch ring light is designed to deliver flattering light for your face in the simplest possible way, with space in the center for your smartphone or camera, and cold shoe attachment points for microphones and other vlogging paraphernalia.
Whether you’re streaming, videoconferencing, vlogging or FaceTiming, you’ll be better off with some kind of lighting for your face (unless you have the sort of face that shouldn’t be lit). And while regular rectangular LED panels have all the power you need, they deliver a pretty harsh light source that doesn’t always look great.
A ring light does it differently. The light doesn’t come from a small flat panel but a large illuminated ring that throws light on to your face from a much wider angle for an altogether softer effect.
Ring lights can be complicated and pricey, but not this one. The Joby Beamo 12-inch ring light costs just $29.95/£24.95, yet still has a ten-step adjustable dimmer and three different color temperature settings.
What you don’t get is any in-built power, though. It actually runs off USB power, so you’ll need to hook it up to a laptop or other USB device, or plug in a USB power bank, we guess.
Measuring 12 inches across, it’s also quite a size to pack into a camera bag, though it does come with its own carrying bag. You also get a cold shoe adaptor, but you will have to provide your own tripod or stand – unless you go for one of four kit versions which include a GorillaPod (with or without Wavo mic), HandyPod or TelePod respectively.
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Rod is an independent photography journalist and editor, and a long-standing Digital Camera World contributor, having previously worked as DCW's Group Reviews editor. Before that he has been technique editor on N-Photo, Head of Testing for the photography division and Camera Channel editor on TechRadar, as well as contributing to many other publications. He has been writing about photography technique, photo editing and digital cameras since they first appeared, and before that began his career writing about film photography. He has used and reviewed practically every interchangeable lens camera launched in the past 20 years, from entry-level DSLRs to medium format cameras, together with lenses, tripods, gimbals, light meters, camera bags and more. Rod has his own camera gear blog at fotovolo.com but also writes about photo-editing applications and techniques at lifeafterphotoshop.com
