What to buy for diffusion w/ LED lightsq

[jrod81]

I bought these: http://cheesycam.com/bts-sample-with-cheap-500-led-video-light-panels/
I am needing to run and get some diffusion because my subjects are complaining about how bright they are (even turned down to 1/4 power). I am in Arkansas so I don't have a photo/video house, but if I walk in Hobby Lobby what can I ask for so that i don't look foolish?
Also, I'd like to get some sort of filter system for these to add some warm tones to flesh... any suggestions from Hobby Lobby on that?
thanks
jared

 

[Potato42]

Let me see if I understand correctly what you're asking. You want to know what you can buy from hobby lobby, an arts and crafts store, in order to diffuse the light emitted by LED lights purchased from "cheesycam"(or affiliate) as well as filter out light for more pleasing skin tones. You're interested in diffusing the light because your subjects are complaining of them being too bright, and you want to know what to ask for at hobby lobby (an arts and crafts store) so you don't look foolish.

Assuming I have that right, my question to you is have you considered ordering proper diffusion and colored gel online? Have you considered using better lighting equipment?

If that is out of the question, then you might be better off going to a home improvement store and buying foam core insulation. Bouncing the light off of it will give you a much softer diffused light. I don't know of an easily available substitute to improve color rendering of the light though. It's tough to correct a poor light even with proper gels. Remember anything you put in front of the light is taking away certain wavelengths of light, not adding anything. Most correction for LED lighting involves some minus green magenta gel, and some CTO orange gel in 1/4 or 1/2 flavors. This is because typical LED lighting has an abundance of blue light (while still missing cyan and blue-green).