Diffuse lighting

Diffuse lighting
lighting that is low or moderate in contrast, such as on an overcast day.
Search SWPP and BPPA
Information provided by: SWPP BPPA
More Photographic Terms ...

Diffuse Lighting Lighting that is low or moderate in contrast, such as on an overcast day.
Diffusing Softening detail in a print with a diffusion disk or other material that scatters light.

Diffuse Lighting or Soft Lighting: Lighting that is low or moderate in contrast.
Existing Light: Any available light regardless of time of day and at any location.

Diffuse lighting. Soft, low-contrast lighting, the visual result of which is gentle modelling of the subject with mild or non-existent shadows .
Digital image. Stream of electronic data, forms visible image on computer monitor.

Diffuse Lighting - Lighting with low or moderate contrast, such as on an overcast day.

Diffusing - Softening detail in a print with a diffusion disk or other material that scatters light.

Many objects photograph better in the diffuse lighting provided by a light tent. Flash can freeze action and increase depth of field. Your options are varied, limited only by your willingness to experiment.

DIFFUSED LIGHT or DIFFUSE LIGHTING - Light that is scattered and spread out as opposed to specular light. Diffused light is softer than direct light, with shadows that are less sharply-defined (lower contrast).

And that’s okay, because diffuse light flatters subjects. All-purpose diffuse lighting almost always lets you take good waterfall pictures. Nearly shadowless, it shows everything equally well.

People pictures will look best in diffuse lighting such as open shade, under a cloudy sky, or in bright artificial light.

With print film, overexpose for hard/direct lighting (open sun or tungsten bulbs), and underexpose for soft/diffuse lighting (overcast sky or fluorescent bulbs). This lets you control the contrast and capture the full range of values in the scene.

See also: Light, Lighting, Print, Focus, Depth of