What is the Grid on a Softbox For?

A common question that gets asked by amateur photographers when it comes to lighting modifiers is "What does the grid lighting on a softbox actually do?".

At first glance, it may seem like it doesn't do anything particularly drastic to your lighting, but a grid can be very useful if you're looking for a little more control over your images. 

What is studio grid lighting?

A studio grid lighting is simply a fabric grid usually sewn with square holes that affixes to the front of a softbox, in front of any diffuser sheets. Grids may often be referred to as "honeycomb grids".

What does a grid do?

Honeycomb Grids work to take soft lighting and harden it a little, offering harsher shadows by focusing the light towards the subject a little more. 

Grids are particularly useful when you are looking to highlight certain small details such as muscles for a fitness shoot, or if you'd like to add some drama to portraiture and give some more dimension and interest to your models face. 

Basically, whereas a softbox without a grid will work to offer a smooth light that fills in any texture, a grid helps add those shadows back in and add some depth. 

Grids on beauty dishes will also have the same impact on the lighting and shadows. 

Watch Jason Vaughan's short tutorial below which shows the impact a grid will have on a shot, with comparisons between shots without a grid and with a grid while using the 30x140cm Strip Softbox.

Why not give it a go and see what kind of details you can bring out in your images by using a grid? Share your images with us by tagging us on Instagram with @pixapro!

Most of our PiXAPRO softboxes are sold with diffuser sheets and grids included, but if you've lost yours or need a spare, shop all of our grids here: https://www.essentialphoto.co.uk/collections/honeycomb-grids