Speedlite "Grid" (as seen on Strobist Blog)

A "grid" is a great accessory to constrain the output of your speedlite into a nice tight pattern. This tutorial was initially released via the Strobist Blog last fall, and is a great way to use up those pesky political signs you find laying around all over the place after election day.

Step 1: Step 1

Measure the head of your speedlite and cut a strip of political sign to match the width of the speedlite. Mark plastic corrugated in 1" segments.

Comments

[andrea biffi]

ops I'l late about three years with my posts ;-)

[alloqba]

Hi, Nice idea at first sight, but notice, that Strobist uses black snoot for one purpose - to absorb light flashing in wrong direction. White plastic will not work as good. Maybe try to spray-paint it black inside? Anyway, nice idea.

[andrea biffi]

I think that sprying it should make the surfaces a little matt, and you loose some light power.

[andrea biffi]

Nice! I hadn't seen it, till it compared beside my grid snoot Instructable :-)
Corrugated plastic is easy to find in Italy, in any big toolshop, it's also black and coloured.

[[Gadgeteer]]

Does anyone have any idea where to source this product in the UK. Thanks

[photodude123]

Don't know about the UK, but in the US you can buy it in art supply stores. US$6 got me a sheet big enough for 8-10 grids, if I wanted to make that many.

I bought black for better light control.

[dpertovt]

I wonder if you were able to use black spray paint lightly over the inside to lessen the diffusion. Unless that is what you are after... :-)

[supdegrave]

This is a nice design. However, one benefit of using black straws is that there's less dispersion of light. Using white plastic allows the light to bounce and diffuse far more than what occurs with black.

[Blackx]

Seems to be better than the drinking straws version. I have assembled the straws - and it took me a long time - and the doesn't seem to be nearly as robust as this version. Now I am wondering where to get an USA political sign here in the central Europe :)

[CementTruck]

You could probably use a bunch of drinking straws cut to the same length instead of using the political sign.

[Patrik]

Nice idea! A bit more diffuse than a snoot, but more compact and I'd guess you lose less light.

[SiriusScrilla]

This is genius! I first saw the snoot Instructable, and was going to do that, but now I'm going to make this grid instead. I want to make some type of ringlight to fit around a lens for macro photos, if you have any ideas on that please share. Great Instructable

[Geordiepom]

Hey hey! Federal election this weekend - I'm going scavenging first thing Monday. Thanks for a great instructable mate.

[piperjon]

I agree on both parts, you have simple, ingenous ideas for manipulating light in photography. Having that control (and using it appropriately) is the difference between a snapshot jockey and a true, talented photographer. Fabulous! - Pj

[leebryuk]

It's too bad you don't get more feedback. I appreciate the ideas. It's an excellent idea and I'll definitely copy it.