Diffusion

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What diffusion filters do

Diffusion filters scatter a little of the light passing through the lens. Bright areas spill a soft glow into their surroundings, contrast drops slightly and digital crispness softens. Cinematographers use them to make sharp modern sensors feel more like film.

• Black mist

  Fine particles in the glass bloom the highlights while a black pigment keeps shadows deep. The effect is a gentle halo around lights and skin that looks smooth without looking washed out.

• White mist

  The same bloom without the black pigment, so scattered light also lifts the shadows. The picture turns milky and dreamy, with lower contrast.

• Glimmer

  Tiny reflective flecks in the glass add a delicate sparkle to bright points and a light glow, while keeping fine detail sharp.

• Stocking over the lens

  A classic trick: nylon stretched over the rear or front of the lens. It softens everything and draws short star-like streaks from lights. Black nylon keeps contrast; white or skin-tone nylon washes and warms the image.

• Fog

  Strong, even scattering that veils the whole frame, lifts blacks and lowers contrast, as if the scene were in light mist.

• Soft focus

  Diffuses detail into a glow around everything, not just highlights, while keeping a sharp core underneath. A traditional portrait look.

• Edge smear

  Petroleum jelly or clear gel smeared on the edges of a clear filter leaves the centre sharp and streaks the edges outward, framing the subject in a dreamy smear.

• Star filter

  A grid of fine lines etched into the glass turns every point of light into a star with four, six or eight points.

• Grades

  Filters usually come in strengths like 1/8, 1/4, 1/2 and 1. Lower grades are subtle enough to stay invisible until you compare; grade 1 is a strong, obvious look.