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Lighting question - grids
Ho, I read the posts re beauty dishes etc and there is a lot of talk of using grids. There are a number of types well degrees of grids. Has someone an explanation and examples? Nov 16 08 09:48 am Link GDS Photos wrote: The smaller the number (like 10 degrees) the less light spread you get. The higher the number (like 40 degrees) the more light spread you get. Nov 16 08 10:11 am Link The most concise analogy I ever heard about this: Umbrella = hand grenade. Grid = sniper rifle.  Grid behind, softbox in front.  2 grids behind the model and pointing at her from high up and around 45 degrees towards camera (and a stop or two over key), softbox as key, reflector. Nov 16 08 10:43 am Link Although it's a DIY grid, it ought to get the point across: http://lightingmods.blogspot.com/2007/0 … art-2.html The use of grids one of the tools I don't use often, but when I need it, I really like what it brings to the table. Nov 16 08 10:47 am Link I use grids most of the time (but not always!) usually Bowens 20, 30 and 40 degree. It's difficult to pick one grid to do everything, I will often use all 3 on a shoot, it just depends what type of style is demanded or looks good. Generally I would only use the 20 degree (strongest effect) on a face close up. Please note that shadows and light fall off block up very deeply with the strongest grid. Also, you will need a really decent MUA and a model with really fantastic skin, as gridded lighting is so unforgiving of bad skin! If you were to only buy one grid, go for the middle of the range, then play around with your light to subject distances. I have also made my own grids out of packs of black straws - good fun for a rainy, dull, cold day! Cutting them shorter rather than longer, especially with a very small light source, like a camera flashgun ... but hey ... play around to get the effect you want! Nov 16 08 05:23 pm Link  Nov 16 08 05:37 pm Link GDS Photos wrote: Are you talking about varieties of grids with beauty dishes? Because the choices are more limited with BD's Nov 16 08 05:38 pm Link  Nov 16 08 05:43 pm Link Steven Anthony wrote: ...just to add to that. Let's say you have a 20degree grid on your reflector and you are just hitting the face and chest... you decide the lower torso is going too dark... you might switch to a 40degree because while keeping the light and model in the same position you will cover more of the subject as well as have a more forgiving gradient. Nov 16 08 05:45 pm Link Grids with beauty dishes are also very good for lighting a background paper to make it more interesting. Here's a typical setup for headshots.... 10 degree grid on beauty dish shooting from floor up on background seamless. 20 degree grid on beauty dish shooting down from boom for a hair light 40 degree grid on beauty dish shooting from camera left just behind the plane of subject. Medium softbox camera right about 2 feet in front of the plane of the subject. Grids are pretty good modifiers and cheap to add to your typical AlienBees strobes. Nov 16 08 05:54 pm Link Also to add the BD's effect comes from being as close to the subject as possible. Narrow grid seems to be working well for many at least when a BD is concerned. Move the BD away from the subject and you loose most of the quality of the light and a umbrella may do the same thing for you. Nov 16 08 05:58 pm Link i used a beauty dish with grid and shower-cap (condom, diaper, whatever your lingo) to fill the face and upper body here...  the falloff wound up being more than i liked so i corrected it a bit in post but you get the point. Nov 16 08 06:06 pm Link Nov 16 08 06:17 pm Link Brooklyn Bridge Images wrote: Chart above shows degrees for the Alien Bee standard 7 inch reflector which has a un-gridded Nov 16 08 07:02 pm Link Thanks all, that was very instructive. Gary Nov 16 08 11:05 pm Link |
