The Off-Camera Flash Handbook

SCENARIO 24

Using Gels for Fun Color Effects

Because why not color it pretty?

GEAR NEEDED:

• Camera + Trigger
• Wide-angle lens
• 3 Off-camera flashes
• 2 or 3 Light stands
• Light-softening modifier
• Fun-colored gel
• Reflector (optional)

GOAL IMAGE

The possibilities are endless in using gels for color effects. You can use them to cast rim lights of different colors on a face. You can backlight a subject with a gel and silhouette them (similar to Scenario 16, “Creating a Silhouette,” but pointing the gel toward the couple instead of toward the wall). For this scenario though, we’re going crazy. I’m going to show you how to use a gel to fill light a subject while creating front bokeh (Figure 24.1). It’s pretty darn fun.

Before you read this section, I ...