Butterfly frames explained: choosing the right size and fabric for film and photography

We offer a wide range of butterfly frames and diffusion fabrics for hire, from compact 4×4 frames through to full-scale 20×20 overheads. Whether you’re lighting a simple interview, shaping daylight on a commercial shoot, or controlling exposure across a wide exterior, choosing the right frame size and fabric combination makes a critical difference.

Walk onto almost any professional film or photography set and you’ll spot butterfly frames before you notice the lights themselves. Large, fabric-covered frames hovering just out of shot, quietly shaping the image. Often referred to as butterflies or overheads, they’re some of the most versatile tools in the grip department, giving crews precise control over light, contrast and scale.

Whether you’re softening harsh midday sun, taking the edge off a hard key, or creating even overhead light across a full set build, the right butterfly frame can completely change the feel of a scene. This guide breaks down frame sizes, fabric options and rigging considerations, using the same equipment available to hire through our website, so you can spec exactly what you need for each shoot

What is a butterfly frame?

A butterfly frame is a rigid aluminium frame stretched with fabric and mounted on stands, either overhead or alongside the subject. The fabric does the creative work; the frame simply holds it in position.

Butterfly frames are commonly used to:

• Diffuse sunlight or artificial sources
• Reflect light back into a scene
• Reduce contrast and soften shadows
• Cut or control unwanted light
• Shape illumination over large areas

While butterfly frames can be rigged to truss or permanent structures, they’re most often mounted on stands. That’s where size, stand choice and safety become just as important as the fabric itself, particularly when you’re working outdoors or positioning frames over people.

Choosing the right frame size

Butterfly frames are available in a wide range of sizes, and the right choice is always a balance between coverage, practicality and safety. The most commonly used sizes are:

• 4×4
• 6×6
• 8×8
• 12×12
• 20×20

All of these sizes are available to hire, allowing you to scale your setup appropriately for each shoot rather than defaulting to something larger than you need.

Small frames: 4×4
The 4×4 is one of the most frequently used butterfly frames on set. It’s fast, flexible and easy to deploy in almost any environment.

Best suited to:

• Portrait photography
• Interviews and close-up coverage
• Tight interiors and restricted locations
• Lightweight or run-and-gun crews

A 4×4 frame can often be rigged on a single C-stand with a boom arm, allowing it to extend overhead without a full two-stand setup. While using two stands is always more secure, single-stand rigs are common in controlled situations and much quicker to build. These frames are easy to transport, quick to adjust and ideal when time or space is limited.

Medium frames: 6×6 and 8×8
Stepping up to a 6×6 or 8×8 gives you noticeably more coverage without the logistical jump that comes with larger overheads.

Best suited to:

• Overhead diffusion for small scenes
• Softening light across multiple people
• Commercial and lifestyle photography
• Controlled exterior environments

These frames typically require two stands and additional ballast, but they remain manageable for most crews. They’re a popular hire choice for daylight shoots where you want real control without committing to heavy-duty rigging.

Working outdoors
When you’re shooting outside, we generally recommend not going larger than a 6×6 unless you’ve got experienced grip and the right equipment to secure the frame properly. Even moderate wind can quickly become a safety issue if a frame isn’t adequately supported.

Large frames: 12×12 and 20×20
Large butterfly frames are about scale. When you need consistent, soft light across vehicles, wide exteriors or built sets, smaller frames simply won’t do the job.

Best suited to:

• Large overhead coverage
• Car shoots
• Wide exterior scenes
• Creating even, controllable daylight across big areas

With that scale comes increased demand. Larger frames require:

• Heavy-duty combo or wind-up stands
• Significant ballast and tie-downs
• Longer setup and strike times
• Experienced crew and ongoing wind monitoring

Used correctly, they’re extremely powerful tools. All large frames and compatible fabrics are available to hire, along with appropriate stand options, allowing productions to scale up safely when the shot genuinely requires it.

Safety, stands and rigging considerations
Because butterfly frames are typically mounted overhead, safety should always be a primary consideration.

As a general rule:

• The bigger the frame, the bigger and heavier the stands need to be
• Larger frames demand more ballast and careful wind management
• Setup and strike times increase significantly with size
• Wind conditions should always be monitored, particularly outdoors

Regardless of frame size, correct rigging and experienced crew are strongly advised, especially when frames are placed over people, vehicles or high-value equipment.

Choosing the right fabric

Frame size determines coverage, but fabric determines the quality of light. Choosing the right fabric is often the difference between a setup that works and one that really delivers the look you’re after. All of the fabrics below are available to hire across multiple frame sizes, so you can match the material to the scene rather than compromise.

Ultrabounce is one of the most versatile fabrics on set, with a white reflective side and a black negative fill side. Best for:

• Bouncing sunlight or hard sources back into a scene
• Filling shadows outdoors
• Creating negative fill when flipped to black

It’s a true multi-purpose fabric and a staple on both film and photography shoots.

Silk softens light without killing too much output, making it ideal for natural daylight work. Best for:

• Softening direct sunlight
• Maintaining contrast while reducing harsh shadows
• Creating flattering, natural-looking light

If you want light to stay directional but feel more pleasing, silk is often the right choice.

Half grid and quarter grid cloths give you fine control over softness, allowing you to dial in exactly how much diffusion you want:

• Half grid provides moderate diffusion
• Quarter grid offers subtle softening

Best for:

• Adjusting key light without losing shape
• Interior scenes using strong sources
• Controlled overhead diffusion

They’re widely used in both daylight and artificial lighting setups.

General diffusion fabrics scatter light evenly and reduce specular highlights. Best for:

• Overhead soft light
• Beauty and commercial photography
• Scenes requiring even illumination

Different strengths allow you to fine-tune exactly how soft the light needs to be.

Single and double nets reduce light level without changing its quality. Best for:

• Cutting exposure selectively
• Balancing highlights in daylight
• Controlling hot spots

A single net typically reduces light by around half a stop, while a double net gives roughly a full stop of reduction.

Unbleached muslin softens light while adding a gentle warmth. Best for:

• Period drama
• Naturalistic skin tones
• Warm, organic daylight looks

It adds character as well as softness, making it a popular choice for narrative work.

Solids block light completely and are essential for shaping contrast. Best for:

• Creating shade
• Controlling spill
• Increasing contrast
• Negative fill

Black solids absorb light, while white solids can be used for gentle bounce without diffusion.

Bigger isn’t always better
Butterfly frames are powerful tools, but size, fabric and rigging choices should always be driven by the scene, the location and safety requirements.

As a quick rule of thumb:

• 4×4 frames are fast, flexible and ideal for small crews
• 6×6 and 8×8 frames balance coverage and practicality
• 12×12 and 20×20 frames deliver scale when it’s genuinely needed
• outdoor use demands caution, experience and proper securing

Used well, butterfly frames allow filmmakers and photographers to shape light with precision. With all frame sizes and fabrics available to hire through our website, it’s easy to build a setup that fits the shot rather than forcing the shot to fit the kit.