When trying to set a particular mood in film, the quantity and quality of light and the ability to modify light is what will establish the mood and style that you are trying to achieve.
Whether it is the beaming sun, or a 2k open face fresnel, every light source can be modified in one way or another. Modifications could include, taking the value of light down, making the lightsource larger are smaller, shaping the light, diffusing the light, and changing the light’s color temperature.
Types of Modifiers
SoftBoxes – Putting a soft box on a light essentially can turn a hard or harsh light, into a soft light. The soft boxes increases the source which makes the light softer.
Grids or Eggcrate – Grids are used to cut down the intensity of a light. They are most commonly used on soft boxes.
Umbrellas – Umbrellas are more commonly used for photography but they work well for creating soft, diffused light.
Frames – Frames with a white source, like a soft frost, are great for diffusing light as well. Frames with a black source can be used as a massive flag to block the sun.
Silks or Flags – Silks are smaller versions of frames that can be put on a c-stand. They can be used to the yellow flag diffuses the light. The red and green decrease the light’s intensity. The black flag completely blocks the light. You could also use black wrap on lights to flag and shape light.
Scrims – Scrims are put directly on the light to cut the intensity of light down. They are usually measured in stops or half stops.
Gels – Gels come in all types of colors and sizes. They can be used to correct color temperature like:
Here are a few color correction gels I use:
- CTO – Color Temperature Orange
- CTB – Color Temperature Blue
- CTS – Color Temperature Straw
Gels can also be used to add a look or style to your images.
Reflectors – Reflectors are used to reflect light sources. They are great to fill in areas of your frame. They come in all shapes and sizes and can even come with a silver, gold, and black side. Essentially it could be used as diffusion, a bounce with color, or a circular flag.
I’ve personally modified light using things like shower curtains, bed sheets, t-shirts, and poster boards. You don’t need top of the line lighting modifiers to get great images, they should only make your job easier. If you have a low-budget lighting modifier you would like to share, I would to hear from you.