At some point in our image-viewing lives, we’ve all been enamored with a photograph where gels and color were used to augment it. Whether this image has a small kicker accent of gelled lighting or is created entirely with it, we respond to that infusion of color—the image has a larger impact on the viewer. In many ways, the underlying story of a certain image can only be fully revealed through the use of color and gels.
Stepping into gelled lighting, however, can be a tough road to navigate, as some of the initial attempts do not achieve the desired visual outcome. When I first began to use this image-making style, my work looked like a (colorful) hot mess. It was quite by accident that I discovered my fatal flaw, and that began my deep dive into the genre.
My first inspiration for this type of photography came from the beautiful work of Joe McNally. His command of color and lighting in order to bring his subjects to life was utterly mesmerizing. I felt as if an he was creating an entirely new world, even though the pose of the subject, the clothing, all of it was somehow familiar. Surely, this was some secret that had taken years to perfect. I wouldn’t even know how to begin.
I was pleased to find out that it wasn’t a secret at all.
When I looked at where the light was hitting the subject, I quickly realized that this was a recognized lighting pattern for athletic images. You know the look: Your main light is slightly elevated in front of your subject, and they are rimmed on either side by two strip lights. That cast of three lights competing against each other usually creates a dramatic image that brings the details of the subject to life using the folds of the fabric, then sculpts them. However, that look wouldn’t be appropriate for a glamour subject … unless color was added to the mix.
I rushed to the studio with a concept of my own design, and got ready to make some magic. I set up the three lights, metered them all to be at a pleasing portrait level of f/8, and fired away. The image looked like the typical Night City neon light, dramatic image. Perfect. I added color to the mix with a blue and Magenta Gels on both strips, without jeopardizing the Main. I chose that pattern because blue and magenta are both the main colors at city night. I adjusted the power of the lights to make sure we were still at f/8 on all sides and then fired away.
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