I Thought More Diffusion Made Light Softer , But I Was Wrong!

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/filt... Westcott 6x6' Scrim Jim Cine Kit Amazon https://amzn.to/4bAQOeH B&H https://bhpho.to/3HHZpOT 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 #PhotographyLighting #PortraitLighting #StudioLighting #PortraitPhotography #SoftLight 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 hardlight setup 07:00 - Pricipals in Action 08:57 - FInal Thoughts Tags diffusion photography, photography lighting, soft light photography, portrait lighting, studio lighting, softbox lighting, diffusion panel, scrim photography, photography tutorial, portrait photography, softbox vs diffusion, lighting modifiers, photography education, studio portrait lighting, dance photography, photography tips, how to get soft light, lighting techniques, off camera flash, flash photography