Scrim Archives — Westcott University https://westcottu.com/topic/scrim Lighting Education for Photographers and Filmmakers Mon, 07 Jul 2025 16:55:52 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://westcottu.com/wp-content/uploads/icon-university.png Scrim Archives — Westcott University https://westcottu.com/topic/scrim 32 32 How to Create Portrait Lighting to Help Tell a Story https://westcottu.com/how-to-create-portrait-lighting-to-help-tell-a-story Tue, 19 May 2020 17:01:15 +0000 https://westcottu.com/?p=152659 Celebrity commercial photographer Ian Spanier began taking photographs at six years old when his parents gave him his first point and shoot camera. After majoring in photography in college, Ian worked in publishing as an editor, but making pictures never left him. Since re-entering the photography industry, Ian has mastered commercial portrait lighting. In this […]

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]]> 152659 Versatile Lighting for Horror Films https://westcottu.com/versatile-lighting-for-horror-films Mon, 12 Nov 2018 21:44:26 +0000 https://westcottu.com/?p=151419 Working with a small crew or on a tight budget (or both!) can really limit the amount of equipment that you can utilize on set. Finding quick and versatile gear is a big priority to keep the shoot running smoothly while also capturing quality content. For this short video, our crew of only 3 people […]

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]]> 151419 Easy Lighting Setup for Action Sports Photo Shoot https://westcottu.com/lighting-actions-sports-photo-shoot Tue, 30 Jan 2018 15:00:10 +0000 http://fjwestcott.com/?p=125278 Orlando, Florida-based action sports photographer Chris Garrison is a pro at photographing on location. Because he often finds himself shooting in fast-paced environments outdoors, Chris uses quick and compact lighting gear to capture the perfect shot. During this photo shoot with professional wakeboarder Chad Sharpe, Chris uses modular Scrim Jims along with  collapsible Apollo Orb and […]

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]]> 125278 Creating Beauty Lighting with Scrim https://westcottu.com/beauty-lighting-with-scrim Fri, 05 Jan 2018 18:07:32 +0000 https://westcottu.com/?p=150601 When working in the studio, celebrated wedding photographer Jerry Ghionis uses the scrim to create beautiful beauty lighting. Invented over 20 years ago, the Scrim Jim system has evolved to become a go-to light control system for photographers and filmmakers. At the core of its design are interchangeable tubes and fabrics giving you the ability […]

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]]> 150601 Creating a Sports Hype Video https://westcottu.com/how-to-sports-hype-video Thu, 24 Aug 2017 14:55:54 +0000 https://westcottu.com/?p=150388 Renowned sports photographer Matt Hernandez has always had an interest in shooting video. When the coach of local McCracken County High School football team mentioned a need for a hype video, Matt seized the opportunity to direct his first video. He jumped on the chance to use his intense visual skills to create something dramatic […]

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]]> 150388 Controlling Harsh Sunlight for Glamorous Beach Portraits https://westcottu.com/natural-light-beach-portraits Wed, 29 Mar 2017 21:05:30 +0000 https://westcottu.com/?p=149978 Beaches are a common location choice for photo shoots. They’re beautiful, accessible, and offer plenty of sunlight. Sometimes, a little too much sunlight. In locations like this, many photographers default to dragging their expensive studio lights out on location in an attempt to overpower the sun. However, modifying available light is a much more cost […]

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]]> 149978 #FilmmakerFriday with the Delivery Men https://westcottu.com/filmmakerfriday-the-delivery-men Fri, 09 Sep 2016 12:02:59 +0000 https://westcottu.com/?p=148860 Introducing #FilmmakerFriday, where you can meet filmmakers that inspire Team Westcott. The Delivery Men is an Austin-based production team comprised of Joe Simon (director and DP), Hussain Pirani (director, writer, and editor), and Gina Gatto (producer). The Delivery Men Show Reel 2015 from The Delivery Men. Joe Simon became a filmmaker the usual way, by starting […]

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]]> 148860 On Location with the Rapid Box Beauty Dish https://westcottu.com/on-location-beauty-dish Sun, 21 Aug 2016 23:21:41 +0000 https://westcottu.com/?p=148762 This shoot in Sayville, N.Y., involved a last-minute location change. Lauren (the subject) is a chef and owner of a catering hall and market and she was participating in a farm-to-table style fundraiser in Patchogue Village, where I live on Long Island. I had volunteered my services, taking photos of each of the five chefs […]

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]]> 148762 5 Ways to Use the Scrim Jim DP Kit https://westcottu.com/5-ways-to-use-the-scrim-jim-dp-kit Mon, 28 Mar 2016 17:51:31 +0000 https://westcottu.com/?p=148268 Featuring a unique and customizable design, provides the ultimate light control for on-the-go filmmakers, directors of photography, run-and-gun shooters, gaffers, and cinematographers. The DP Kit was developed by Westcott in partnership with Jem Schofield, founder and host of the popular filmmaking educational site theC47. This kit is easy-to-use and can modify, block, bounce, and diffuse […]

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]]> 148268 How to Light for a Flixel with James Schmelzer https://westcottu.com/flixel-lighting-with-james-schmelzer Tue, 02 Dec 2014 20:24:24 +0000 https://westcottu.com/?p=142691 A living photo, often called a Flixel, is a combination of a still image and of a short video. A Flixel is created by filming a short, high-quality video and editing within the Flixel Cinemagraph software. Because Flixels are shot with video, it is neccesary to use continuous light. To light this Flixel, Westcott Top Pro […]

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]]> 142691 CLOSED: Enter to Win a Scrim Jim Kit https://westcottu.com/contests/enter-win-scrim-jim-kit https://westcottu.com/contests/enter-win-scrim-jim-kit#respond Mon, 20 Oct 2014 05:00:38 +0000 https://westcottu.com/?p=141759 Scrim Jim is a complete modular system offering the ultimate light control capabilities for both video and photo. The Scrim Jim frame is constructed of durable aircraft aluminum that sets up in seconds and is surprisingly lightweight. This 72” Scrim Jim Kit includes a detachable Scrim Jim frame, diffusion silk panel, silver/white panel, and travel case.

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]]> https://westcottu.com/contests/enter-win-scrim-jim-kit/feed 0 141759 Modern Beauty Photography with Lou Freeman https://westcottu.com/lou-freeman-part-2 Fri, 06 Jun 2014 14:38:14 +0000 https://westcottu.com/?p=140932 Lou Freeman has practiced the art of fashion, glamour, fine interior and product photography for three decades. Her clients are among the most respected and recognized names in America and Europe. Her work is both powerful and visionary and has been recognized by both the publishing and advertising worlds, winning her the prestigious OBIE and […]

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]]> 140932 Shooting in Harsh Sunlight https://westcottu.com/shooting-harsh-sunlight Mon, 02 Jun 2014 19:45:59 +0000 https://westcottu.com/?p=140745 Any good landscape photographer will tell you that you’ll get the best results if you’re up, out, and ready to shoot as the sun is coming up or as the sun is going down. Middle of the day is probably the absolute worst time to be outside shooting. However, if you’re shooting a wedding or […]

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]]> 140745 Behind The Scenes with Hernan Rodriguez https://westcottu.com/behind-scenes-hernan-rodriguez Tue, 06 May 2014 18:12:48 +0000 https://westcottu.com/?p=140498 When I saw the Zepplin showcased at this year’s WPPI Convention, my creative juices began brewing on what project I could create to give this bad-boy a run. As I unpacked my Zepplin, just by looking at the silver inner baffle and the option of multiple scrim diffusers, I could envision the quality of light […]

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]]> 140498 Diffusing Harsh Sunlight with Clay Cook https://westcottu.com/diffusing-harsh-sunlight Thu, 27 Mar 2014 20:28:51 +0000 https://westcottu.com/?p=140301 This article is courtesy of Louisville-based fashion photographer Clay Cook. I’ve been there, standing in the middle of a field on a hot day with a scorching sun, mulling back and forth on how to capture a quality shot. In the back of my mind, I’m wishing for some cloud cover or an overcast sky […]

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]]> 140301 Creating a Large Light Source On-Location https://westcottu.com/real-deal-review-x Fri, 06 Dec 2013 15:43:26 +0000 https://westcottu.com/?p=139530 Westcott Top Pro and professional commercial photographer Justin Van Leeuwen demonstrates his use of the 7′ Parabolic Umbrella and the  during an outdoor portrait shoot. To compete with the present sunlight, Justin places the umbrella angled toward his subject and advises his assistant to hold the reflector to add warmth and dimension. Shooting at a […]

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]]> 139530 Erik Valind Showcases The Scrim Jim https://westcottu.com/erik-valind-showcases-scrim-jim Wed, 04 Dec 2013 22:08:22 +0000 https://westcottu.com/?p=139502 In this video, photographer Erik Valind discusses the many uses of the Westcott Scrim Jim. Shooting mainly outdoor lifestyle portraits, Erik finds the Scrim Jim to be one of the most versatile tools in his photography gear line-up. He uses this light modifier to both reflect and diffuse light, bring in shadows and add in […]

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]]> 139502 Real Deal Review: Scrim Jim https://westcottu.com/review-scrim-jim Fri, 07 Jun 2013 02:05:58 +0000 https://westcottu.com/?p=133238 Photographer Melody G. from Virginia had the chance to review the Scrim Jim for us. The , and you can mount a variety of diffusion panels, multiple reflectors, and even full black blockers. See what she liked, disliked, as well as some photos taken with the Scrim Jim in this week’s “Real Deal Review”. The […]

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]]> 133238 Bruce Dorn: Portraits with Speedlites https://westcottu.com/bruce-dorn-on-speedlites Mon, 15 Oct 2012 08:38:20 +0000 http://fjwestcott.com/?p=123641 Explorer of Light and Westcott Top Pro Elite Bruce Dorn has been teaching techniques for speedlites around the country for years through Canon Live Learning and his own workshops. With the Canon Digital Learning Center’s exclusive tutorials series on environmental portraits with speedlites, now an even larger amount of photographers can watch and learn. The series was designed […]

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]]> 123641 Using Diffusion Fast Flags for Portraits https://westcottu.com/using-diffusion-flags-for-portraits Thu, 13 Sep 2012 09:31:04 +0000 http://fjwestcott.com/?p=123327 Lan and I decided to shoot a couple of new avatars for ourselves today since the ones we have been using are 3 years old and we don’t really look the same (I’m now a little fatter and a LOT balder, but Lan is mostly just older). For fun, and because we were curious, we […]

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]]> 123327 Diffuse Light and Alter Light using the Scrim Jim https://westcottu.com/diffuse-light-and-alter-light-using-the-scrim-jim Wed, 29 Aug 2012 14:16:30 +0000 http://fjwestcott.com/?p=123164 Erik Valind, Professional Photographer and Westcott Top Pro, talks about his favorite product—the Westcott Scrim Jim. He walks you through how he uses each of the Scrim Jim panels to diffuse light and alter light in his shoots. The Scrim Jim allows photographers to use diffusion panels, reflectors, black blocks and even black netting to […]

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]]> 123164 Scrim Jim: Thinking Outside the Box https://westcottu.com/thinking-outside-the-box-with-scrim-jim Wed, 15 Aug 2012 13:11:00 +0000 http://fjwestcott.com/?p=122853 The Scrim Jim: Like a Swiss Army Knife When talking about different lighting modifiers I like to point out the basic features and benefits of each. Equally important though, is the outside of the box thinking that allows us to apply these tools differently to fit each scene. After all there is no wrong way […]

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]]> 122853 Black-and-White Action Shot Lighting Setup https://westcottu.com/action-shot-using-scrim-jim Mon, 30 Jul 2012 13:53:25 +0000 http://fjwestcott.com/?p=122707 Black-and-White Action shot by photographer João Carlos using a The Medium Scrim Jim Kit is a useful photography tool that allows photographers to diffuse, reflect, cut down, or completely block light.  With the variety of available fabrics, the Scrim Jim is one of the most diverse tools in the photography industry.  In this action shot […]

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]]> 122707 Interview with Erik Valind on Environmental Portraits https://westcottu.com/interview-with-erik-valind-on-environmental-portraits Fri, 15 Jun 2012 15:23:48 +0000 http://fjwestcott.com/?p=121489 Commercial, portrait, and lifestyle photographer Erik Valind joins Henry’s TV host Mark Shannon on the Henry’s TV stage at Exposure Spring 2012 to share some tips and tricks on creating better environmental portraits as well as other tips on how to become a better photographer. Erik mentions the versatile Scrim Jim in this video as […]

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]]> 121489 Outdoor Portrait Shoot using a Scrim Jim https://westcottu.com/outdoor-portrait-shoot-using-a-scrim-jim Mon, 11 Jun 2012 19:30:07 +0000 http://fjwestcott.com/?p=121438 Outdoor Portrait shoot by photographer Erik Valind using a Westcott Large Scrim Jim. The Large Scrim Jim Kit is a useful photography tool that allows photographers to diffuse light, reflect light, cut down light, or completely block light.  With the variety of available fabrics, the Scrim Jim is one of the most diverse tools in […]

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]]> 121438 Outdoor Football Portrait using a Scrim Jim https://westcottu.com/outdoor-football-portrait Mon, 11 Jun 2012 15:56:36 +0000 http://fjwestcott.com/?p=121379 This lighting setup and final image was provided by photographer Jim Schmelzer.  Jim used the Westcott Medium Scrim Jim overhead his subject so that there were no shadows on the football player, and that he could completely control the light that reached his subjects.  Jim then used a 50″ Mega Apollo to fully light the […]

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]]> 121379 Product Shoot: Super Bowl Ring Shot with Strobelite Plus https://westcottu.com/strobelite-plus-product-shoot Thu, 07 Jun 2012 16:09:00 +0000 http://fjwestcott.com/?p=120953 Take a look behind the scenes at this product shoot of a Super Bowl ring shot by photographer Hernan Rodriguez using two Westcott Strobelite Plus units, two Westcott Scrim Jims with 1-1/4 Stop Diffusion Fabric and two 42″ Silver/White Illuminator Reflectors. The Westcott Strobelite Plus allows photographers to preview light patterns with an adjustable modeling […]

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