What is the term for light that is reflected from an object causing the light to be diffused?

The term for light that is reflected from an object and causes the light to be diffused is "scatter." When light interacts with particles or irregularities in a medium, it can deviate from its original path in multiple directions. This scattering effect leads to diffusion, which softens the harshness of light and creates a more even illumination.

In photography, understanding scattering is important because it can influence the quality of light in a scene. For example, clouds in the sky scatter sunlight, producing softer shadows and an even light that is often more pleasing for portrait photography.

The other terms, while related to light behavior, describe different processes: reflection refers to light bouncing off a surface, refraction involves the bending of light as it passes from one medium to another, and dispersion relates to the separation of light into its component colors when passing through a medium, such as a prism. Each of these processes has unique implications for photography and how images are captured.