Some lights like the Rifa convert an installed hard point source lamp into a soft source. Others, like fluorescent light banks are already soft because their bulbs are larger and emit a diffused light. Both follow the same principles of relative size and diffusion to determine their degree of softness. There are other ways to make a hard light source softer. All involve techniques to make the light source appear to be physically larger.

Using diffusion gel in a frame attached to the front of a hard light can soften it to some degree, by changing the small point-source size of the bulb into the larger size of the gel it's now illuminating. Using an even larger piece of diffusion material at a greater distance from the light will soften its output even more. A 1/2 thickness diffusion gel will produce a harder light than a full thickness gel, since it allows more of the light's original smaller point source to shine thru.

Adding a reflective silver umbrella accessory will convert the source size of this small Pro-light from three inches to twenty seven inches, the size of the umbrella. The newly larger source noticeably opens up the shadow areas. Notice the difference in shadows in the 2 wide setup shots.

Notice, also, the amount of reflected spill the umbrella adds to the surrounding area. Soft light is harder to control, as its larger source covers a wider area. Discreetly placed flags can provide some help, but they need to be big to do the job. Moving the subject away from walls will help too.

In addition to silver, there are also white nylon umbrellas available. The difference in effect is subtle, with the silver having a slightly harder reflective output than the white nylon version, since its silver threads a more specular & therefore will have more reflective highlights. The advantage of a white nylon umbrella is that you can also turn it around & light thru it, using the translucent nylon as a large diffuser. Its not as efficient as a Rifa, since some of the output is being reflected backwards and away, but in a pinch it can be an easy solution. If using white nylon umbrellas with focusing lights, always make sure to focus the light to flood, or you may melt a hole thru the umbrella.

For more information on using Umbrellas and Flags, see Light Controls DeMystified.

The technique of bouncing the output of a light, like a Tota, off a white ceiling or wall to bring up the ambient light level in a room is well known. Done right it converts the ceiling or wall into a larger and softer light source. If used incorrectly you might just be adding more light from an unflattering overhead angle.

Reflective panels like this piece of foam core and other color neutral materials can be used to give your bounced light a similar quality while allowing you some control of the direction of the light. To get the maximum amount of softness use as large a reflector as you can and position it far enough away from the light source for the beam to cover the entire surface. In this case, the large piece of foam core is being held to the KS Stand using a Lobo clamp and a Maxa-mount arm.