For years, photographers have repeated the same advice: if you want softer light, add more diffusion.
After hearing this for decades, I decided to put it to the test.
In this video, I compare hard reflectors, softboxes, diffusion panels, scrims, and DIY diffusion materials to find out what diffusion actually does to light—and why adding more diffusion doesn’t always create softer results.
Through a series of controlled lighting tests, you’ll see the difference between placing diffusion directly on a modifier versus using diffusion as the effective light source. Along the way, we’ll explore softbox design, light spread, apparent light source size, and the principles behind creating truly soft light for portraits, dance photography, and studio photography.
Topics Covered:
What diffusion does to light
Softbox vs diffusion panel tests
Why more diffusion doesn’t always create softer light
How apparent light source size affects softness
Using scrims and diffusion frames effectively
Portrait lighting techniques
Studio lighting setups
Dance photography lighting
DIY diffusion vs professional diffusion materials
Creating softer light in photography
If you have questions about diffusion, softboxes, scrims, or portrait lighting, leave them in the comments below.
Gear
DIFFUSION
Lee Filters Wide Heavy Frost 60″x20′
Adorama: https://howl.link/b9alj9tzglmzr
Shower Curtain Liner
https://howl.link/tph9beuepzyq9
Rosco R3004 Half Density Soft Frost
https://us.rosco.com/en/products/filters/r3004-half-density-soft-frost
Westcott 6×6′ Scrim Jim Cine Kit
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4bAQOeH
B&H: https://bhpho.to/3HHZpOT
Advantage Gripware 8×8′ Halo Artificial Silk
CAMERA
Canon R5 Mark II
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4cJZyir
B&H: https://bhpho.to/3Yc4YyB
Canon BG-R20 Battery Grip for EOS R5 Mark II
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3B3Bg5f
B&H: https://bhpho.to/3XJFyaT
Canon RF 28-70mm f/2.0
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3vkEWbE
B&H: https://bhpho.to/426bKEM
Canon RF70-200mm F4 L IS USM
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Z4GOd5
B&H: https://bhpho.to/3HkgKNY
Canon RF 85mm F1.2 L USM
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3tHbPxm
B&H: https://bhpho.to/3L6f1Na
LIGHTING
Elinchrom FIVE
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Um6V61
B&H: https://bhpho.to/3LcypYZ
Elinchrom Rotalux Deep Octa Softbox 100 cm (39”)
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3fRG5AH
B&H: https://bhpho.to/3oSg0cy
Elinchrom Litemotiv Direct Para Softbox 120 cm (47.3”)
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3AumKiy
B&H: https://bhpho.to/41JKL1V
Chapters
00:00 – Introduction
00:32 – Hard Light Test
01:55 – Adding Diffusion To A Softbox
03:57 – Minding the Gap with Etherio
06:35 – Revisiting the Hard Light Setup
07:00 – Principles in Action
08:57 – Final Thoughts
