1. Understanding the Basics of Colored Gels:
* What are they? Thin, transparent sheets of colored plastic placed over a light source.
* What do they do? They alter the color of the light emitted, changing the overall tone and mood of the scene.
* Where to get them? Photography supply stores, online retailers (like Amazon), theatrical lighting suppliers.
* What to look for? Look for gels labeled with color names (e.g., "Rosco E-Colour #26 Deep Red") or color temperatures (e.g., CTO - Color Temperature Orange) if you are trying to adjust existing lights to match each other. Also, consider the size you need (small gel squares for speedlights, larger sheets for studio strobes). You can often buy packs of gels with a variety of colors for experimentation.
* Important: Ensure they are heat-resistant, especially for use with hot continuous lighting. Some gels are specifically designed for LED lighting, which produces much less heat.
2. Equipment You'll Need:
* Light Source(s): Speedlights (flash guns), studio strobes, or continuous LED lights.
* Colored Gels: A selection of colors to experiment with (primary colors, secondary colors, and some neutral options like CTO/CTB).
* Gel Holders/Attachments: These vary depending on your light source. Options include:
* Speedlight Gels: Gel holders that attach to the flash head using velcro, rubber bands, or magnetic mounts.
* Strobe Gels: Reflectors with clips or gels holders that attach to the reflector.
* Continuous Lights: Often come with built-in gel holders.
* Light Stands: To position your lights.
* Diffusers/Modifiers (Optional): Softboxes, umbrellas, grids, snoots – to control the shape and spread of the light.
* Camera and Lens: Your usual portrait setup.
* Light Meter (Optional): Helpful for precise exposure control, especially when using multiple lights.
* Tape (Gaffer's Tape or Similar): To secure gels if needed.
3. Key Techniques and Approaches:
* Single Gel for a Color Wash:
* How: Place a colored gel over a single light source and aim it at your subject. This casts the entire subject in the chosen color.
* Effect: Creates a strong, dramatic, and stylized look.
* Considerations:
* Strong colors (red, blue, green) are very impactful.
* Lighter colors (pink, lavender, yellow) are more subtle.
* Experiment with the distance and angle of the light to control the spread and intensity of the color.
* Best for: Mood-setting, creating a specific atmosphere (e.g., cool blues for a cold feeling, warm reds for passion).
* Two Gels – Complementary Colors:
* How: Use two lights, each with a different colored gel. Position them on opposite sides of your subject, creating contrasting colors on different parts of their face and body.
* Effect: Dynamic, visually striking, and adds depth.
* Considerations:
* Choose complementary colors (red/green, blue/orange, yellow/violet) for maximum contrast.
* Adjust the power of each light to balance the colors.
* Consider using one light as a key light and the other as a fill.
* Best for: Edgy, creative portraits, highlighting specific features.
* Two Gels – Color Separation:
* How: Use two lights, each with a different colored gel. Place one light behind the subject, aiming at the background (or the subject's hair/shoulders for a rim light effect), and the other in front of the subject for the main light.
* Effect: Separates the subject from the background with color, creating depth and visual interest.
* Considerations:
* The background color will influence the overall mood. A neutral background will allow the gel to be the dominant color.
* Experiment with using gels to create interesting gradients on the background.
* Best for: Isolating the subject, adding visual interest to a plain background.
* Gel as a Background Light:
* How: Aim a light with a colored gel at a backdrop, creating a colored background. The subject is lit with white (or slightly modified) light.
* Effect: Clean, controlled, and emphasizes the subject while adding a pop of color.
* Considerations:
* The background color will significantly affect the overall mood.
* Experiment with different background textures and patterns.
* Use a snoot or grid to control the spill of the background light.
* Best for: Headshots, commercial work, and portraits where you want to focus on the subject's expression.
* Gel to Mimic Environmental Lighting:
* How: Use gels to replicate the color temperature of specific environments (e.g., CTO to match tungsten light, CTB to match daylight). This is often used to blend your flash with existing ambient light. You can also use this in a more creative way, by using an unexpected color gel on a subject in an interior that is supposed to be illuminated by overhead fluorescent lights.
* Effect: Creates a realistic and cohesive look, or a surreal one, when done artistically.
* Considerations:
* Use a color temperature meter or a white balance card to accurately measure the ambient light.
* Adjust the intensity of the gelled light to match the ambient light level.
* Best for: Portraits in indoor locations, matching flash to ambient light.
* Black and White Conversion:
* How: Shoot with colored gels knowing you'll convert the images to black and white later. Different colors will translate to different shades of gray, allowing you to selectively enhance certain features or areas.
* Effect: Controlling contrast and tonal range in black and white images.
* Considerations:
* Red and orange gels will lighten skin tones and darken blue tones.
* Blue and green gels will darken skin tones and lighten red tones.
* Experiment with different color combinations to see how they translate to gray.
* Best for: Creating striking black and white portraits with enhanced contrast and detail.
4. Tips for Success:
* Experiment! The best way to learn is to try different combinations of colors, light positions, and modifiers.
* Start Simple: Begin with one or two lights and gradually add complexity as you gain experience.
* Use a Light Meter: For consistent and accurate exposures.
* White Balance: Set your camera's white balance to match the color temperature of your key light. If using multiple colors, set it to the most dominant color or leave it on auto and adjust in post-processing. Shooting in RAW format allows for maximum flexibility in white balance adjustment.
* Exposure: Colored gels can reduce the amount of light reaching the sensor. Adjust your aperture, shutter speed, or ISO to compensate.
* Color Theory: A basic understanding of color theory (complementary colors, analogous colors, etc.) can help you create more harmonious and visually appealing results.
* Pay Attention to Skin Tones: Some colors can make skin look unnatural. Use gels sparingly or combine them with white light to maintain realistic skin tones.
* Post-Processing: Fine-tune the colors, contrast, and white balance in post-processing to achieve your desired look.
* Safety: Use heat-resistant gels, especially with continuous lighting. Avoid placing gels too close to hot light bulbs.
5. Creative Ideas and Inspiration:
* Abstract portraits: Use extreme colors and unusual angles to create abstract images.
* Film noir-inspired: Recreate the dramatic lighting of classic film noir with deep blues and reds.
* Fantasy/Sci-fi: Create otherworldly scenes with greens, purples, and blues.
* Emotional portraits: Use colors to convey specific emotions (e.g., blue for sadness, yellow for joy).
* Geometric patterns: Project colored light through stencils or patterns to create interesting shapes on your subject.
* Silhouettes: Position your subject in front of a brightly lit, colored background to create a silhouette.
In summary, using colored gels opens up a world of creative possibilities for portrait photography. By understanding the basics, experimenting with different techniques, and drawing inspiration from various sources, you can create stunning and unique images that stand out from the crowd.