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How to Make a Wood Diffusion Panel

In photography, many items are needed to complete a studio. Among them are tripods, umbrella brackets, umbrellas, backdrops, reflectors, light meters and a diffusion panel. These items placed strategically around the room manipulate light for particular shots. The diffusion panel is important to reflect or absorb light. Rather than buy a diffusion panel, make your own to custom fit your studio. All you need is a few items and some tools.

Things You'll Need

  • Plywood
  • Tape measure
  • Pencil
  • Eye protection
  • Circular saw
  • Medium-grit sandpaper
  • Compressed air
  • Velcro
  • Scissors
  • Glue
  • Reflective fabric, plain or colored fabric
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Instructions

    • 1

      Set a sheet of plywood on a workbench or a table.

    • 2

      Determine the size diffusion panel you need to fit in your studio. Measure and mark cut lines with a tape measure and a pencil on the plywood. Generally, diffusion panels are between 4-by-4-feet to 6-by-6-feet.

    • 3

      Put on eye protection and cut the plywood to size, following the drawn lines using a circular saw.

    • 4

      Sand the plywood on both sides, including the edges to remove all splinters from the sheet. Blow off any sawdust with compressed air.

    • 5

      Lay Velcro strips around the borders of your diffusion panel and cut to fit with scissors. Glue the Velcro strips to the borders of the diffusion panel and let dry overnight.

    • 6

      Cover the diffusion panel with your choice of reflective fabric, plain or colored fabric, when needed.

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