Using gels

[markyboy.1967]

A while back i bought a set of gels to go with my studio lights. I only tried them once and packed away again.The issue i had was that i put the gel on the light with a clip and then put into the lastolite hilite.There was very very little colour coming through at all.I put the power up and down to see if that was what was causing the issue but couldnt get anything near what i wanted.All i seem to get is very very very light tint and not a strong colour that i want...So any ideas where im going wrong and i can try again in the coming weeks.

 

[Garry Edwards]

Light is additive, so when you gel a light that is shining onto an already white background (or, as in this case, through a white background) then obviously it can't produce a deep, saturated colour, just a pastel one.

The less power you use, the more saturated the colour will be, but if you want a deeply saturated colour then you will need to start off with a grey or even a black background, not a white one.

 

[markyboy.1967]

So Gary if i use the black bottletop then just use 1 light with a gel onto it to give a more saturated colour.Im not looking for an even solid colour just a saturated colour spreading outwards and blending to the black as it goes further from the centre.

 

[Garry Edwards]

So Gary if i use the black bottletop then just use 1 light with a gel onto it to give a more saturated colour.Im not looking for an even solid colour just a saturated colour spreading outwards and blending to the black as it goes further from the centre.

Yes, that will work, assuming that your flash head has enough power

 

[markyboy.1967]

I have a couple of Smartflashs and an elite Pro.