diffuse reflection
Light bouncing everywhere
Diffuse reflection is the scattering of light in many directions when it strikes a rough or matte surface.
Unlike mirror-like specular reflection, where light bounces at a predictable angle, diffuse reflection sends rays in all directions, which is why a painted wall looks uniformly bright from any viewing angle.
Most surfaces we see daily—paper, fabric, unpolished wood—are visible because of diffuse reflection.
- roughnessUneven surface quality
- rough surfaceUnsmooth exterior plane
- light scatteringDeflection by particles
- matte finishNon-reflective surface treatment
- matte paintNon-glossy surface coating
flat white · albedo · glare reduction · soft lighting · texture · photon · refraction · microstructure · frosted glass · porosity · wavelength · polarization · paper · irregularity · scattered · electromagnetic wave · matte · granularity
- light effectsshine, glow, gleam, shimmer, glitter
- light behaviorrefraction, diffraction, scattering, absorption, emission
- radiation
- sound reflectionsecho, reverberation, reverb, slapback
diffuse reflectionspecular reflection
Light bouncing at equal angles
mirror reflection · mirror finish · gloss · shine · sheen