1. Understanding Colored Gels
* What they are: Thin sheets of colored plastic (usually acetate or polycarbonate) that attach to your lights. They filter the light, changing its color.
* Why use them:
* Dramatic Mood: Create specific moods and emotions (e.g., red for passion, blue for sadness).
* Visual Interest: Add pops of color and break the monotony of plain lighting.
* Selective Coloring: Light specific areas of your subject or background with a specific color.
* Artistic Expression: Experiment and push the boundaries of traditional portraiture.
* Color Correction: While not the primary purpose, gels can sometimes be used to correct or balance color temperature.
* Gel Types:
* Color Correction Gels (CTO/CTB): Adjust the color temperature of your light (e.g., CTO converts daylight to tungsten). Less common for creative portraits.
* Color Effect Gels: The fun stuff! Come in a huge range of colors.
* Neutral Density Gels (ND): Reduce the intensity of light without changing its color (useful for overpowering bright ambient light).
2. Equipment Needed
* Lights:
* Strobes/Speedlights: Most common for gelled lighting. Offer power and control. Use a gel holder that doesn't melt.
* LED Panels: Becoming more popular. Check the heat output, as some gels can melt under prolonged, intense heat.
* Continuous Lights (Tungsten/Halogen): Generate a lot of heat, so only use with heat-resistant gels and be mindful of the distance to the light.
* Gels: Purchase a variety of colors. Rosco and LEE Filters are reputable brands. Gel packs are often a cost-effective way to start.
* Gel Holders/Grips:
* Speedlight Gel Holders: Attach to the head of your speedlight.
* Barn Doors with Gel Holders: Attach to studio strobes, allowing you to shape the light and hold gels.
* Clips/Tape: Improvise if needed, but ensure the gel is securely attached and won't fall off. Use heat-resistant tape.
* DIY Solutions: Can be made with cardboard and tape, but heat resistance is vital!
* Light Stands: To position your lights.
* Light Modifiers (Optional):
* Softboxes: Diffuse the light for a softer, more even look.
* Umbrellas: Another way to soften light.
* Snoots: Focus the light into a small, concentrated beam. Useful for highlighting specific areas.
* Grids: Control the spill of light and create a more directional beam.
3. Basic Techniques: Getting Started
* Safety First! Be mindful of heat. Don't place gels directly against hot lights. Allow for airflow.
* Start Simple: Begin with one or two lights and gels.
* Placement is Key:
* Main Light: The primary light source, often with a white (or slightly warming) balance.
* Accent Light: A second light with a gel to add color and dimension.
* Background Light: A light pointed at the background with a gel.
* Exposure: Colored gels reduce the amount of light reaching your sensor. Compensate by:
* Increasing ISO: But be mindful of noise.
* Widening Aperture: Affects depth of field.
* Increasing Power: If using strobes.
* Slowing Shutter Speed: Only possible if your ambient light is very low. Not usually ideal for portraits.
* White Balance: Your camera's white balance will affect how the colors appear.
* Auto White Balance (AWB): May try to correct the colors, potentially neutralizing your effect.
* Custom White Balance: You can set a custom white balance using a gray card under the gelled light, but it can be tricky.
* Manual White Balance: Set the white balance manually (e.g., to tungsten or daylight) and let the gels create the color.
* Post-Processing: Correct and refine white balance in post-processing. Shooting in RAW allows for greater flexibility.
4. Creative Techniques and Ideas
* Monochromatic: Use different shades of the same color. For example, various shades of blue for a cool, calming portrait.
* Complementary Colors: Use colors opposite each other on the color wheel (e.g., blue and orange, red and green). Creates strong contrast and visual interest. Place the complementary color lights on opposite sides of the face.
* Split Lighting: Light one side of the face with one color, and the other side with another color.
* Rim Lighting: Use a gelled light behind the subject to create a colorful outline.
* Background Washes: Project a single color onto the background.
* Gobo Effects: Use a gobo (a stencil) with a gelled light to project patterns or shapes onto the subject or background. (e.g., leaves, stars, lines).
* Layering Gels: Stack multiple gels on a single light to create unique color combinations. Experiment!
* Color Temperature Contrast: Use a "warm" gel (orange, red) on one light and a "cool" gel (blue, green) on another.
* Use with Smoke or Haze: Colored light really shines through smoke and haze, creating dramatic effects.
* Underexpose: Underexpose the image slightly to make the colors more saturated.
* Color Blocking: Using bold colors to create graphic and eye-catching compositions. Think 80's vibe.
* Abstract Portraits: Focus on shapes and colors rather than detailed features. Experiment with unusual angles and compositions.
* Experiment with Shadows: Gelled lighting can create interesting and colorful shadows.
5. Post-Processing
* Color Correction: Fine-tune the colors in your editing software.
* White Balance Adjustments: As mentioned earlier, adjust the white balance if needed.
* Contrast and Saturation: Enhance the contrast and saturation to make the colors pop.
* Selective Color Adjustments: Adjust the hues, saturation, and luminance of individual colors.
* Dodging and Burning: Emphasize highlights and shadows to add depth and dimension.
6. Tips for Success
* Practice: Experiment with different colors, lighting setups, and poses.
* Research: Look at the work of other photographers who use gels effectively.
* Plan Your Shoot: Decide on the mood and style you want to create before you start shooting. Consider a mood board.
* Communicate with Your Model: Explain your vision to your model so they can understand the desired mood and expression.
* Don't Overdo It: Subtlety can be powerful. Sometimes, a touch of color is more effective than a full-blown rainbow.
* Know Your Gear: Understand how your camera and lights work.
* Shoot in RAW: Allows for more flexibility in post-processing.
* Test Before You Shoot: Take test shots to see how the colors look and make adjustments as needed.
* Have Fun! The most important thing is to experiment and be creative.
Example Setup (Simple Two-Light Setup)
1. Main Light (Right Side): Speedlight with a small softbox, no gel (or a very subtle warming gel). Positioned to light the front of the model's face.
2. Accent Light (Left Side, slightly behind): Speedlight with a blue gel. Positioned to create a blue rim light along the left side of the model's face and hair.
Adjust the power of each light to achieve the desired balance between the main light and the accent light. Experiment with the angle and distance of the accent light to change the shape and intensity of the rim light.
In Conclusion:
Using colored gels opens up a whole new world of creative possibilities in portrait photography. Be patient, experiment, and don't be afraid to try new things. With practice, you can create stunning and unique portraits that truly stand out.