Light Diffusers & Diffusion Material
Aputure NOVA II 1x1 Dome Diffuser (Heavy Frost, 100°)
- Low-Profile Rigid Dome Diffuser
- 100° Beam Angle
- Creates Soft Omnidirectional Light
- Easy-to-Mount, Lightweight Design
LEE Filters 251 Quarter White Diffusion Filter (60" x 25' Roll with 1" Core)
- Softens Light Output
- 0.3-Stop Reduction
- 80% Light Transmission for 6774K
- Heat Resistant to 356°F
LEE Filters 250 Half White Diffusion Filter (60" x 25' Roll with 1" Core)
- Softens Light Output
- 0.75-Stop Reduction
- 60% Light Transmission for 6774K
- Heat Resistant to 356°F
LEE Filters 420 Light Opal Frost Filter (48" x 25' Roll on 1" Core)
- Softens Spotlight Beam Edges
- Does Not Alter Shape of Spotlight Beam
- Reduces Contrast Between Highlight Areas
- Less Than 0.25-Stop Reduction for 6774K
LEE Filters 129 Heavy Frost Filter (48" x 25' Roll on 1" Core)
- Strong Diffusion, Eliminates Shadows
- Reduces Contrast between Highlight Areas
- 2-Stop Reduction for 6774K
- 25% Light Transmission for 6774K
Impact 18" Diffuser Sock
- 1 Stop Diffusion
- For Strobe, LED, and Fluorescent Lights
- Snug Fit, Clean Catchlights
- Stackable for Increased Diffusion
Impact 13" Diffuser Sock
- 1 Stop Diffusion
- For Strobe, LED, and Fluorescent Lights
- Snug Fit, Clean Catchlights
- Stackable for Increased Diffusion
Elinchrom OCF Diffusion Dome
- Protects Flash Tube, Evens Beam Spread
- Mounts to Elinchrom OCF Flashes
- 4" Diameter, 2.63" Depth
LEE Filters Diffusion Filter Lighting Pack - 12 Sheets (10 x 12")
ETC Wide Round Diffuser for D40 and ColorSource PAR (7.5", Silver)
MagMod MagSphere XL
- Works with Reflector XL
- Shapes Flash into Omnidirectional Light
- Provides Soft, Diffused Light
- Magnetic Attachment
LEE Filters Full White Diffusion Filter (48" x 25' Roll)
- Softens Light Output
- Transmission: 36%
- Exposure Reduction: 1 1/2 Stops
- Durable Polyester Base
LEE Filters 257 Quarter Hampshire Frost Filter (48" x 25' Roll on 1" Core)
- Softens Light Output
- Extra Light Frost Effect
- Reduces Contrast Between Highlight Areas
- Less Than 0.25-Stop Reduction for 6774K
LEE Filters 228 Brushed Silk Filter (48" x 25' Roll on 1" Core)
- Softens Light Output
- Directional Soft Lighting Effect
- Scatters Light in One Direction
- Reduces Contrast between Highlight Areas
Elinchrom Multifunction Cap for Ranger Quadra
PHOTOOLEX Tofu Light Silicone Diffuser (2.7 x 2.7")
- For Tofu Light
- Produces Soft, Diffused Light
- Direct Attachment
- Lightweight Design
Astera Dome for LunaBulb
Godox Round Cup Bouncer for C7R & C10R Creative Bulb Lights
ALZO Silk Diffusion Fabric (36 x 60", White)
- Translucent White Polyester Fabric
- Reduces Light Intensity by 1.5 Stops
- Non-Yellowing Coating
- Machine-Cut on All Four Sides
Astera 30-Degree Flood Filter for AX3 LightDrop LED Light
Astera 120-Degree Diffuser Filter for AX3 LightDrop LED Light
Using Light Diffusers in Your Photography
Studio diffusers allow you to create softer light effects in your photo shoots. You can reduce the glare of your light source and generate fewer shadows, enabling you to capture fine details and color. Although there are many types of diffusers, they all work by scattering light and sending it in different directions.
When to Use Diffusers
Studio diffusers are especially useful when shooting portraits because the human face creates a multitude of shadows, and undiffused light can make these shadows too harsh. Light diffusion brings fine details into crisp, clear focus in macro photography, where capturing the small details is essential. Light diffusion can help improve the quality of almost any photograph, and is just as important in film production, for the same reasons.
Types of Diffusers
You can either place diffusers on your camera flash or on external lighting systems. There are many different types of light diffuser materials, including plastic, acrylic, fabric, and diffusion gels.
Plastic
Plastic light diffuser sheets, such as heat-stable polyester varieties, can withstand high light temperatures.
Acrylic
Acrylic is resistant to breaking, easy to cut to size, and great for taming harsh fluorescent lights.
Fabrics
Diffusion fabrics are either silk or grid cloths. Grid cloths allow for a more focused beam, while silk diffuses light over a broader area and creates more ambient lighting effects.
Gels
Translucent gels come in a variety of colors, and most people use them to create ambient lighting for photo shoots and video.
Light diffuser panels are easy to set up and place in your studio, and they work exceptionally well when diffusing the light from bright LED bulbs.
Working With Flash Diffusers
Flash diffusers attach directly to the flash unit of your camera. With these, you can diffuse your light without using external light sources. Flash diffusers work perfectly with speedlights, and allow you to distribute your lighting without setting up numerous lighting systems. This makes flash diffusers ideal for photographers who want to create shadow-free lighting in a rush.
If you're interested in exploring different options for light studio diffusers and other light modifiers, check out B&H Photo and Video for all of the various options.