There are numerous kinds of filters in photography and all of them have different uses. Even though you can add some of the filter effects later through digital manipulation, such as through the use of a programme like Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X2, using a filter at the time of shooting is always beneficial while shooting on film. Net filters are one category of filters that do not have much use in digital photography since the effects can be added later using various image manipulation software.

Net filters are available in various colours, widths and sizes to fit on to the lenses. These are also called Grid filters and are made up of a fine mesh or a net sandwiched between glass or metal holders. Net filters can also be made at home by stretching a piece of nylon or pantyhose in front of the lens.

These filters are used to give a grid effect or a dreamy look to the scene. If you have been clicking for long then you must have realised that all pictures do not look the best when they are sharp. Some scenes give a better feel with a diffused look. Net filters are also used to decrease the contrasts in the image. If you look at the picture on your right, this picture has been taken through a net filter and you can see that contrast is not very high. The blues and the whites in the picture seem to be in the same tone, but they blend very well. The image offers a diffused dreamy look, as if its right out of a fairytale, but if you go closer you would see that there is a grid pattern in the picture. Net or grid filters are also used to give a nostalgic feel to the image.