How to Make a Scrim

Want to create gorgeous gradients? Take your photography to the next level with this homemade modifier.

Professional product photographers use scrims to create beautiful gradient lighting. In fact, for product and still life photography, a scrim is one of the most essential pieces of lighting equipment you can own. In this class, you’ll learn how to build one for yourself.

But why use a scrim rather than a softbox? Because unlike a softbox, you can position a scrim at different distances and angles from your light source and subject. This enables you to achieve different gradient lighting effects while maintaining soft light. Best of all, a scrim is an affordable lighting modifier that you can easily make yourself and use for many different types of photography.

Watch the step-by-step class to discover the materials and methods you need to make your own scrim.

What you’ll need:

  • L-brackets
  • Screws
  • Drill/screwdriver
  • Saw
  • Tape measure
  • Lightweight planks of wood
  • Gaffer tape
  • Diffusion material/tracing paper (diffusion material is preferable as it is less flammable than tracing paper)

Karl uses gradient lighting to photograph products in many Visual Education classes. Check out One-Light Lipstick Product Shoot and Whisky Photography for two great examples.

If you enjoy this class, try Creating DIY Photography Backdrops.

Questions? Please post them in the comments section below.

Comments

  1. Hi Karl,

    I just wanted to ask whether you experience much sag in the wood when working with frames at that size. Also, if you were putting together a set of scrims in a range of sizes to cover most situations (still life/products), what sizes would you recommend?

    Thanks very much,
    Rob

    1. Hi Rob, I’ve had no sag in the wood, just choose some good timber and check it for bend. I’ve got wooden scrim frames in various lengths but I always make one side the width of the paper which is 1.5m, so I have 1.5 x 1.5 and 1.5 x 2 and 1.5 x 2.4. Often though (as you’ll see in many of the classes) I just use the scrim on the roll on a C-stand and rod and have it hanging but of course this only works with vertical scrim positions.

  3. Hey Karl,

    I want to build a ceiling-mounted reflective panel like the one you use in your studio, which you move with a boom system. But my studio is set up inside a two-car garage, and I want to mount this reflector to the ceiling without using a boom. If necessary, I can adjust it using light stands. I want to use these reflective panels for some of my scooter and bicycle projects.

    Do you have any tips for me?
    What kind of material should I use for this reflective panel?

    1. Hi, I would suggest checking out this class here which is on building your own Ceiling Rig, Karl talks through materials used and tips for building your own 🙂

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