Westcott Medium Scrim Jim Kit

Westcott Medium Scrim Jim Kit | A screen for shaping light

Harsh light can make a subject look flat in one place and too contrasty in another. The Westcott Medium Scrim Jim Kit is a reflector screen accessory for photographers who want to work with light rather than simply accept what’s in front of them. A scrim is used to soften light, while a reflector screen can help direct light back onto a subject. That makes this type of accessory relevant for portrait, product and other photography where the quality or direction of light matters. The name identifies this as the Medium version of Westcott’s Scrim Jim Kit; it doesn’t tell us the exact dimensions, so I wouldn’t choose it on a guessed coverage area. If you’re comparing screen options, think about the space you’ll work in and the area of your subject you want to affect. It’s a practical lighting tool, but its usefulness depends on the light and setup you bring to it.

Working with a reflector screen

A screen gives you a way to intervene when available light isn’t doing what you want. In a portrait, that might mean softening the light falling on a face; in a product scene, it may help you manage how light reaches the subject. The effect depends on placement and the light source, so expect to make small adjustments rather than rely on a screen to solve every lighting problem by itself. The product name points to a medium-sized kit, but “Medium” alone doesn’t say how much of a scene it will cover. That’s the honest limitation to keep in mind when deciding if this is the right scale for your work. If you already have a particular subject and shooting space in mind, those are the useful starting points for judging the fit.

Technical Specifications

• Product name: Westcott Medium Scrim Jim Kit
• Category: Reflector screen