Subscribe via: ( RSS / Email )

Diffusion Panels for Outdoor Video Lighting

Shooting video outdoors is great because there are so many visually interesting things you can capture. But it can also be a big challenge because of unpredictable, uncontrollable elements. One of the unpredictable things is the lighting.

That said, the right tools can make a big difference.

When you shoot video outdoors, the three main tools you use to control the light are:

  1. Reflectors
  2. Diffusion Panels
  3. Scrims

This video is all about item #2, diffusion panels — specifically showing you the impact of different levels of diffusion.

Diffusion material comes in different levels of diffusion. With the Scrim Jim system, you can quickly swap out the various diffusion fabrics.

Want to see the difference between light, medium, and heavy diffusion? This video shows you exactly what they look like.

Light Diffusion

When I use only 1/4 stop of diffusion, the changes aren’t significant. This very light diffusion softens the edges of shadows slightly, but mostly leaves the quality of light in place.

Medium Diffusion

As you would expect, when you use medium diffusion (3/4 stop in the video), you see more impact. The size of the specular highlight increases dramatically. The edges of the shadows become more gradual.

Heavy Diffusion

Once you move to heavy diffusion (1 and 1/4 stop in the video), you really see some big changes. Suddenly the shadows start to have no edge. The light smoothly wraps around the subject.

You’ll also note that I’m hosting this video on YouTube. My plan is to start posting videos there regularly. You can Click Here to subscribe to the Izzy Video YouTube channel.

Note: Members have seen this video before. Previously it was available to members only.

About the Author: I'm Izzy Hyman, and I specialize in making video simple and easy to understand. Check out my free video tutorials or become an Izzy Video Member.

Get immediate access to more than 200 video training tutorials (including more than 15 specifically about video lighting). You can access them right now inside the members area. Learn more now!

Written by Izzy Hyman. This entry is filed under Video Lighting. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

6 Responses to “Diffusion Panels for Outdoor Video Lighting”

  1. Mirmler says on 2010-11-18 at 11:03 am :

    Super helpful video… What brand do you typically recommend for your diffusion panels and camera accessories?

  2. IzzyVideo says on 2010-11-18 at 11:35 am :

    The Westcott Scrim Jims are what I use in this video. I really like them. They’re lightweight and easily portable…

    If you need something more rugged, then maybe take a look at the options from Matthews. They’re more expensive and heavier, but stronger.

  3. Rgxrg says on 2010-11-18 at 12:48 pm :

    Thanks for the video, i”m thinking, though, that you could have brought the panel down closer to your head. this would have created a larger, softer light source.

  4. IzzyVideo says on 2010-11-18 at 1:57 pm :

    That’s definitely true!

    I’m not sure why I put it so high. It’s also less stable when it gets high
    like that. Heh, I’m definitely not perfect! :-)

  5. shipsdrummer says on 2011-02-13 at 9:56 am :

    thanks

  6. How to Turn a Hard Light into a Soft Light – Izzy Video 170 | Izzy Video says on 2011-03-21 at 8:57 pm :

    [...] sometimes see large panels of white fabric suspended over the actors outdoors. These are large diffusion panels. They consist of a frame and a fabric. The fabrics are removable so you can swap them out with [...]

Leave a Reply