Grids!

[chris78cpr]

Hey all,

I'm still getting used to lighting and learning all the terms and how certain effects are achieved and i keep reading about people using grids.

Can anyone give me a quick run through on the effects of using grids and the differences between items such a 20 degree, 40 degree, etc?

Maybe show some examples of the type of light they produce?

Thanks,

Chris

[Patrick]

In the G&N sharing section, sometimes the lighting setup is posted. I find it very useful to see the setup to get ideas. You'd probably get some good results from a google image search too.

I just bought some AB and the set of 4 grids they sell. I'm looking forward to testing them out.

[Mark_Cohran]

This should help:

http://www.studiolighting.net/what-are-grids/

[TooManyHobbies]

Visual Lightshaper Comparison http://www.bron.ch/vt_pd_lg_sc_en/index.php

[TooManyHobbies]

Grids for softboxes or beauty dishes or spots prevent the spread of light. The finer the grid the straighter the light, but you also lose light. If you take a spot and aim it at a wall the finer the grid the smaller the spot until in an ideal world it would equal the size of the light source at 0 degrees spread.

The are used to aim light at a specific spot (especially with barn doors for hair eyes, points of interest), change the size of the background flare on a wall. prevent light spill from hitting unwanted things like background in a small studio, etc.

I use them in conjunction with softboxes to get a blend of soft and hard light. The softboxes illuminate the subject, the spots with grids hit the hair and eyes to add saturation and contrast (shadow and sharpness). One of my favorite glam setups is to have a SB above and below the camera. A grid stripbox hitting the back diagnal of the subject and a grid spot with barndoors hitting the front eyes and hair in the other front diagnal. I also made bookends (2 4'x8' white foamcore taped together) to put on either side for additional fill.

I don't think I've posted any with this setup in a long time, but I just did this setup again this past weekend for a 4 model shoot and may post some if I get time.

[Big Mike]

http://www.alienbees.com/enlarge.html?id=beamwidth.gif

[LAW2]

Grids for softboxes or beauty dishes or spots prevent the spread of light. The finer the grid the straighter the light, but you also lose light. If you take a spot and aim it at a wall the finer the grid the smaller the spot until in an ideal world it would equal the size of the light source at 0 degrees spread.

The are used to aim light at a specific spot (especially with barn doors for hair eyes, points of interest), change the size of the background flare on a wall. prevent light spill from hitting unwanted things like background in a small studio, etc.

I use them in conjunction with softboxes to get a blend of soft and hard light. The softboxes illuminate the subject, the spots with grids hit the hair and eyes to add saturation and contrast (shadow and sharpness). One of my favorite glam setups is to have a SB above and below the camera. A grid stripbox hitting the back diagnal of the subject and a grid spot with barndoors hitting the front eyes and hair in the other front diagnal. I also made bookends (2 4'x8' white foamcore taped together) to put on either side for additional fill.

I don't think I've posted any with this setup in a long time, but I just did this setup again this past weekend for a 4 model shoot and may post some if I get time.

Jeff,

I can't quite visualize that in my head. I'm thinking of a clock face with 12 being the BG and 6 being the front of model. 10:30 is the grid stripbox, 4:30 is the grid spot and 6 being the SB above and below the camera.
An example and a setup shot would seal the deal. How many lights are you talking about? Just four?

[TooManyHobbies]

Jeff,

I can't quite visualize that in my head. I'm thinking of a clock face with 12 being the BG and 6 being the front of model. 10:30 is the grid stripbox, 4:30 is the grid spot and 6 being the SB above and below the camera.
An example and a setup shot would seal the deal. How many lights are you talking about? Just four?

Sorry, I been posting while being too busy to post fully. Here is the setup and I'm trying to get time to post an example image.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=353851&d=1238516280

[LAW2]

Sorry, I been posting while being too busy to post fully. Here is the setup and I'm trying to get time to post an example image.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=353851&d=1238516280

Thanks Jeff. I was off just a bit. I have not tried anything like that before but looks interesting. Since you don't have any examples readily available I'll search your posts to try and find an example. I know its time consuming to post pictures.

You've been very helpful.

[stephensonc]

Just saw this last night. Hope it helps. There are other topics too, including something on Striplights by Scott Smith.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4er30rRIsPc&feature=related