New tutorial on lighting gels

[Garry Edwards]

The last in our current mini series. After Xmas we need to spend some time on other things.

We started off with this subject using Chiaroscuro lighting, then we made a few mods, taking away the Chiaroscuro effect and adding crosslighting, and finally we've played around with lighting gels.
http://www.lencarta.com/studio-lighting-blog/12/tutorial-lighting-effects-and-gels/#.VnfgNr8l-hE

An interesting thing that I can mention here but won't mention elsewhere... I refer to my subject as a model dressing up as a soldier - well, he is in fact in the armed forces, cap badge and arm patch removed because they can't be shown for security reasons. I've seen a shot of him dressed in his number one's, at a passing out parade that I can't show you, because it identifies him and also because it isn't my shot. The shot was taken with soft light and he'd had a shave. I'm sure his mum is proud of that photo but it shows him as a clean cut, very young man who couldn't hurt a fly. I know better than that and he looks very different in my tutorial, and that is all down to the lighting...

 

[david357]

Another really useful tutorial, thank you Garry

 

[Bobsyeruncle]

Very interesting, thanks Garry.

 

[Glyn Carnell]

Thanks Garry, very interesting & will now go and invest in some gel sheets.

 

[RichardTaylor]

Thanks very much.

 

[cargo]

Yep thanks Garry. Still watching these here as you upload them. "Very kind" Happy Boxing Day !

Gaz

 

[Speedyflash]

The crosslightling really adds drama to the shot. Are the long rectangular softboxes you used capable of shooting a full length crosslit shot? I have been asked to take some shots for our local drama group which need to be full length to show the whole costume including shoes and boots etc. This type of lighting would be ideal if it can be done full length. If they won't do this, how would you suggest I do it? Thanks

 

[Garry Edwards]

Yes, it's fine for full length, but you need to have low level lighting stands so that the soft boxes are square, not tilted.

 

[markyboy.1967]

Never tried my gels yet. What sort of power should you have the gelled light at--is it higher power of a lower power--i just haven't a clue when it comes to gels.My thinking is that higher power would washout the colour a bit but lower power might not have any effect..

 

[andyscott]

Great tutorial, but iron the kit and sort the beret out

 

[Garry Edwards]

Never tried my gels yet. What sort of power should you have the gelled light at--is it higher power of a lower power--i just haven't a clue when it comes to gels.My thinking is that higher power would washout the colour a bit but lower power might not have any effect..

All light is additive, so start (if poss) with an unlit grey background and if you use very little. Lighting power, as I did with the red gelled light, you'll get a rich dark and saturated colour. Add more power and you'll get a light pastel colour.