What Is Light Diffusion?

Light beams are straight when they are produced by a bright light source like the sun or artificial key light. When those straight light beams pass through something or bounce off another surface, they are diffused. The light beams scatter in different directions. This diffused light is softer and more complementary for photographs.

Light diffusion makes people appear much more attractive in photographs. It mimics soft light from the sun that is diffused naturally by clouds and the atmosphere. Light diffusion minimizes wrinkles, scars and other skin imperfections. It also greatly reduces shadows that are cast by conflicting light sources.

Light diffusion can be created with artificial lights by shining them through gels or filters. A gel is a piece of paper, plastic, or material that is place between the light source and the subject. They can be a piece of wax paper, spun glass or a piece of cloth. Filters are usually made of polarizing glass and are also placed over lights. When light beams pass through gels and filters, they are scattered and softened. Different types of gels and filters are used to create different effects in photographs.

Light diffusion can be created by bouncing light off of another surface. This can be as simple as shining a light on a white wall or ceiling. The light bouncing off of a wall or ceiling will be softer and less intense than the harsh light directly from the light source. Photographic umbrellas are made to diffuse light. They have a semi reflective surface on the inside of the umbrella. It is attached to the end of a light and the light is turned away from the subject. The diffused light bouncing off of the inside of the photographic umbrella shines on the subject.

The sun is the biggest light source of all. When shooting outdoors on a sunny day, your light diffusion tools must increase in size to match. Sunlight shining through a bed sheet creates very flattering light diffusion. The problem becomes how you get the bed sheet between the sun and your subject. A clothesline is nice if you have one available. Otherwise the sheet can be tossed over tree branches or held up by friends standing on ladders. Giant pieces of white poster board can be used as reflectors outdoors. They are inexpensive and very effective bouncing light.