Diffusing Light.

[ollywood88]

What is the best way to diffuse, lights stop shadows.

I always use, various lights and use CC stands and a white reflector to diffuse the lights. in small spaces, i use reflectors or diffuse ( white garden fleece) over the light.

Any tips to diffuse higher wattage lights?

 

[RyanT]

Get diffusion gels, or use a soft box. You can also put your gels on frames and put them further away from the light.

 

[ollywood88]

yeah you mean on stands thats what i do .

 

[zijital]

What is the best way to diffuse, lights stop shadows.

Any tips to diffuse higher wattage lights?

if best = no shadows, then... the larger the light source, the less the shadow. think overcast day vs sunny day.

probably the biggest "found" diffuser would be white walls & ceiling. if you point a flood light away from the talent up at the wall & ceiling, you're turning that part of the wall & ceiling into a diffuser

for more control, your best bet is a softbox


also, don't think primarily about wattage, think output. a 100w HMI is going to be a lot more powerful than a 200w halogen. also, any light controls don't really care what the output of your light is, they'll all cut it the same amount.

ie if you put a medium softbox on a 300w Arri Fresnel light & it cuts half the light, that same softbox will cut half the light coming out of a 650w Arri Fresnel.

so if you're higher wattage lights are too bright, you can do the same thing if your lower wattage lights are too bright.

scrims; ND gels; dimmers are all things that might work & all have their pluses & minuses

 

[ollywood88]

Thank for your kind advice.

Ii thought soft boxes, i will be using normal Arri lights and one 2k blonde.

What softboxes are good to use? Also are gobos good to give shape to the talents face?


Ollie

 

[slondon]

Set Lighting Technician's Handbook 4th Edition - Harry C. Box. Motion Picture and Video Lighting Second Editon - Blain Brown. Lighting for Film and Television, DVD series - dvxuser's own Barry Green and David Jimerson.

 

[ollywood88]

yes Read Blain book on cinematography and basic read of His lighting handbook.

also read the One by millerson

Thanks