📸 Mastering Colored Gel Lighting in Portrait Photography

If you’ve ever wanted to infuse your portraits with vibrant, cinematic color, colored gel lighting is the key. In this post, I’ll walk you through how to use gels effectively in your photography sessions, from controlling exposure to using creative light modifiers. Whether you’re a beginner or brushing up for your next shoot, this is your go-to guide.

🎯 Introduction

• Welcome + Overview of Gel Lighting

• What are color gels? Why use them? Colored gels are transparent sheets placed over lights to add color to your photos. They can be used for drama, mood, or style—adding an editorial or even surreal look to your portraits.

• Creative, cinematic, and expressive portraits using colored lighting

1️⃣ EXPOSURE: Understanding the Impact of Power

• Choosing the power of the light/gel is critical for color output

• Gels look different at 1/4 power vs full power – lower power = deeper, richer colors; higher power = more washed out

• There’s no “correct” setting – it’s about your creative preference

• 👨‍🏫 Try shooting the same setup at 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, and full power. Observe how the color shifts

2️⃣ LIGHT SPILL & COLOR CONTAMINATION

• As you introduce multiple lights, their influence can mix and interfere with each other. The more lights you add, the more they influence each other’s color, and the more difficult it is to control

• For example: A white fill light can dilute the impact of a red gel on your subject’s skin

• Control is key! Use flags, grids, or distance to prevent contamination

• Keep gelled lights isolated unless blending is intentional

• Pro Tip: Kill ambient light in the studio as much as possible

3️⃣ LIGHT MODIFIERS & THEIR EFFECTS

In gel lighting, modifiers matter. How you shape your light affects the gel’s appearance.

• Hard Light:
   • Snoots, grids – focused, punchy light, good for dramatic effects
   • Great for color precision and shadow play

• Soft Light:
   • Softboxes, umbrellas – diffuse the light and color, great for beauty and fashion work
   • More natural but can cause spill if not controlled

4️⃣ HOW TO ATTACH GELS

• Black gaffer’s tape is your best friend – heat-safe, secure

• Use clips or gel holders for strobes if available

• Always cover the entire light source – white light bleed will distort your colors

• For speed-lights, use gel kits or DIY holders

5️⃣ DEMONSTRATION 1: Controlled Portrait Lighting with Gels

• Setup:
   • Key Light → Beauty dish at eye level
   • Fill Light → Soft-box or reflector, aimed away slightly
   • Hair/Rim Lights → Gridded lights above and behind subject to separate from background

• Gradually introduce colors:
   • Start with one gel on a hair light
   • Think about outfit/background harmony
   • Apply color theory:
    - Orange + Blue → energetic and cinematic
    - Purple + Teal → moody & cool

• Allow flare by letting a hair light spill into the lens or use a diffusion filter for dreamy effect

6️⃣ DEMONSTRATION 2: Full Body Gel Drama

• Start with a single gel light pointed toward the corner to paint the space

• Use a snoot or grid to light the subject’s face only – body stays in shadow

• Full body shots: dynamic contrast between color & dark

• Layer in a second gel (complimentary or contrasting)

• Play with symmetry, shadows, and flare

• Editing Tip: Gel images convert beautifully to black & white in post
   • Bonus: In B&W, colors = tones, and you can dodge/burn the gel shapes for unique results

💡 Closing Tips:

• Test often. Gels behave differently with each modifier and setup

• Be intentional: Are you lighting the subject or the mood?

• Always shoot a clean plate (no gel) for backup

• Let creativity lead – break rules once you understand them

• Colored gel lighting is more than just aesthetic—it’s storytelling through light. So go bold, experiment, and turn your portraits into works of art!