I have just got hold of a great ring flash, I belive that Rankin and possibly David Le Chappel use them. They are great for filling in in low light conditions and take away any shadow that is usualy created around the shape being photographed, In the case of David Le Chappel it adds great colour saturation to his images and makes them dynamic.
In the case of Rakin using mainly black and white it gives strong depths in his monnochromatic style.
In the takng of any portrait weather it be for fashion art etc, it is up to the individual to choose what is best for them for the effect they are looking for or possibly as an identity mark to there work and has very littal to do with anyone else, it is easy to be a crytic of other peoples work.
Creative media weather it be fashion, art photography, and possibly film should be very personel otherwise you have not got your soul in it.
I do not care if people dont like my work,or go broke to achive it.they can critersise me and my work as much as they want, it is personel to me and the people I work with and I hope it comes across as being poetic, in its aproach.
So I will look forward to using my ring, flash so to speak, for a very long time, good luck Rakin and Le Chappel I am a coming.