Soft Bounce vs Diffusion with Grid

[christianhawkins]

Hi Roger,

 

I’ve noticed that many filmmakers, especially in commercial work, use soft light with a softbox or diffusion frame, specifically with a grid on the diffusion to avoid spilling light to the sides and restrict it to only lighting the subject/direction of the subject.

However, when looking at your lighting setups and behind-the-scenes clips, you often bounce your light sources off muslin-draped walls or large bounce frames.

What is the reason or belief that leads you to bounce the light rather than using grids to control the direction of the light? Do you feel that using the grid creates an unnatural characteristic of the way the light spreads?

I’m not trying to get you to label one or the other as right or wrong. I’m just curious as to your method and reason for choosing to bounce over using diffusion with grids.

Do you feel that the grid changes the way that soft light should behave and would naturally spread out to the sides? Therefore, do you prefer the bounced look because it feels more natural? And when you do want to avoid spill in certain areas, you just flag the light where you want.

I feel that grids create a more stylistic-looking soft light as opposed to naturalistic, which might be why it is used in commercial work so much. In my experience in commercial work, I find that clients wish to control the way light behaves, such as making products “pop” out of the background. Basically, live photo editing and live power windowing. I feel grids are an easy fix to that situation, but sometimes, you can see a grid pattern in reflective surfaces.

I appreciate the ongoing sharing of your knowledge. Your website and the Team Deakins podcast with You and James are such a valuable asset to us filmmakers who are eager to learn.

Thank you for your time.

Best regards,

Christian

Topic

[Roger Deakins]

There is a difference between projecting light through diffusion and bouncing. However dense your diffusion the light will never be emitted in as wide an angle as a bounce. Also, multiple layers of diffusion will add a little warmth to the light, which might be a problem. A bounce source can easily be controlled by the material used. I might use a bleached cloth or a silver stipple, a cloth painted blue or one painted orange.

Perhaps the most significant factor in the choice between a bounce and a diffused source is space. If you are on location and want a soft light coming from a corner of a room or from beside a table lamp there is a distinct practical reason for choosing a bounce over a diffused light.

[Author]

Replies