How to Soften Studio Photography Lighting
Softening your studio lights will reduce reflections and hot spots. It will make skin in portraits more appealing and reduce shadows. There are several items you can use to soften your studio lighting. Each one will produce different results, so experiment to find the best one for your needs.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Photographic reflective umbrella
- Photographic shoot-through umbrella
- Sock diffuser
- Collapsible reflector
- Softbox
Instructions
-
-
1
Use a shoot-through umbrella. This kind of diffuser has a tendency to spill light widely, giving you some fill light. The larger the umbrella, the softer the light.
-
2
Use a reflective umbrella. This doesn't spill as much light as the shoot-through umbrella. A white umbrella will be softer than a silver one.
-
-
3
Use a sock diffuser. This is a really inexpensive way to diffuse light. The sock diffusers can be modified with some effort if they're too small for your lights by replacing the elastic.
-
4
Use a softbox. The bigger the box, the softer the light.
-
5
Use a collapsible reflector. Inexpensive, mostly useful for soft fill light.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Try each step and compare your results
Some of these are expensive!
