How to use color filters for studio lighting — diagrams | Lesson | Photo, video, optics

Using colored light in photography is an easy way to make your shots more interesting. Special filters are suitable for work both in the studio and outdoors. But how to make colored light for photos and videos? We have compiled a detailed guide on colored light for you.

Where to Use Gel (Folium) Light Filters
Features of shooting with folic (gel) filters for studio light
Equipment you need to take photos with color filters
Lighting
Background
Color films for light
Optional equipment
Is it possible to make color filters for studio lighting with your own hands
Shooting schemes with colored light
Color Flash Patterns
Schemes with colored main light
How else can you make colored light in photography
The lamp that makes the sunset light
LED illuminator from Raylab
Yongnuo colored light fixture

Where to Use Gel (Folium) Light Filters

Using colored light to shoot:

• studio portraits — even a classic portrait with this effect will look much more interesting;
• objects — photos of food, clothes, shoes, accessories, books, etc. With the help of light, you can make beautiful accents, highlight the most significant areas. A photo session with colored light looks especially beautiful for objects that are made of glass or a mirror;
• architecture. Shooting in the dark + colored lighting — the ability to take beautiful photos of both modern and ancient buildings and monuments.

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Features of shooting with folic (gel) filters for studio light

The use of such equipment allows you to make any ordinary photo more interesting. The main thing is that the photographer is limited only by his imagination.

There are two main schemes:

• backlight coloring;
• coloring of the key light.

But on the basis of these two schemes, you can create many others — by adding other light sources, changing their location.

It is important for a beginner to remember that with the help of colored light in the studio, two main things can be done:

• create a colorful background, fill completely or partially the space behind the model;
• add colored shadows to the subject itself.

Equipment you need to take photos with color filters

Lighting

Requires pulsed lighting to work. Monoblocks, flashes are needed directly for the filters themselves (they are attached to them). Which monoblock is better to choose? It all depends on the budget, preferences, tasks. We did a review and comparison of Raylab impulse monoblocks to help with the choice.

In addition, constant light sources are needed. Without them, work in the studio is almost impossible.

By the way, helium filters are attached not only to pulsed light sources. They can be used, for example, for a softbox. We will also consider this option in the diagrams below.

The exact number of lighting fixtures depends on:

• what effect should be achieved;
• what scheme is used.

Background

If you are shooting in a studio, you need a backdrop. Most often used paper. They are affordable, available in different colors, suitable for long-term use. There are also fabric, plastic, vinyl.

Universal option — black or white background. But, depending on the idea, you can immediately apply color photo backgrounds.

Color films for light

Filters are usually sold in rolls. But the manufacturer can immediately cut them into squares, rectangles, circles of various sizes. Thanks to this, they can be easily put into a bag, taken with you to location shooting, used with small light sources.

• Sizes up to 30×30 cm are usually enough to cover a standard reflector.
• The 60×60 cm option is suitable for beauty dishes, small softboxes.

Filters differ in density, degree of transparency and light scattering.

For most experiments, such subtleties are not important. But if you want to hone your shooting skills with multi-colored filters, you need to try different ones, test them with different light sources.

Optional equipment

We need curtains for a reflector, frames, a roll of tape. Thanks to this, it is possible to fix the filter on the light source. There are kits that immediately include curtains and several color filters. This is a good option for those who haven’t worked with filters yet and want to try them out.

You may also need honeycombs and other additional attachments. But their presence is optional. It all depends on the idea of ​​shooting.

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Is it possible to make color filters for studio lighting with your own hands

If there is no professional equipment, but you want to take an interesting photo, you can use cellophane or translucent wrapping paper. It is commonly sold in craft and hobby stores.

It is enough to wrap the flash with material or install it on a reflector. So you can just make colored light for photo and video shooting with your own hands. But this is a last resort option.

If you use a homemade filter, be careful about fire safety — non-professional materials can melt and damage equipment.

Shooting schemes with colored light

We have collected simple schemes that can be repeated in the studio.

Color Flash Patterns

Option 1. Flash with a foil filter is used as a back color. He stands behind and slightly diagonally and is directed at the model, who is standing sideways. On opposite sides of the photographer are a beauty dish and a silver reflector. As a result, the object is highlighted not brightly, but effectively.

Option 2. The scheme is complemented by two flashes located opposite the monoblock with a filter. One flash is aimed at the background. The second is on the side in the back of the model. This allows you to get a spot of light behind the subject and «separate» it from the background. In this case, the color filter must be used as dense as possible if you want to get a saturated color.

Option 3. The scheme is similar to the first. The main difference is that there is another flash that is aimed at the background. On the one hand, you get a spot of light behind the subject, which will help to highlight it.

There is one more difference. Flash with filter moved closer to reflector. This makes the color brighter and illuminates a larger area.

Important: the closer the backlight (filtered flash) is to the subject, the larger the area it illuminates.

Option 4. An interesting scheme using two flashes with color filters. The scheme looks like in option 3. But a color filter is installed on the second flash and it turns towards the subject. So you can highlight the same object in different colors from two sides.

Option 5. This scheme uses 3 color filters. To the right of the photographer you need to put a soft reflector. Behind the model on the right they put one flash with a filter (directed to the back). On the left, two flashes with filters are placed, one of which highlights the model, the other — the background.

Schemes with colored main light

Option 1. There are two light sources in this circuit. And each of them has a color filter installed. The main light is a softbox. He stands to the right of the photographer and fully illuminates the model. The flash is located to the left of the subject (you can put it a little further) and adds color to the shadows. This effect looks especially beautiful if contrasting colors are used.

Option 2. A very effective scheme. Flash with a filter is to the right of the photographer, between him and the model. It colors the background itself and part of the subject. A beauty dish with a filter stands to the left of the photographer and highlights the back of the model (who is standing sideways to the photographer).

How else can you make colored light in photography

Not only with the help of gel filters you can get beautiful effects on the photo. Now let’s talk about other ways.

The lamp that makes the sunset light

This is a real hit from TikTok! The sunset light projector lamp has become insanely popular among bloggers. With its help, you can shade the space in the frame. Thanks to this, the picture will be more unusual and attractive.

The kit includes:

• tripod;
• 4 replaceable filters (yellow, red, blue, orange).

Advantages:

• the lamp tilts 180 degrees in any direction, rotates around its axis;
• Filters can be used individually or combined with each other.

Flaws:

• you can not adjust the intensity of the light;
• limited number of filters.

LED illuminator from Raylab

This is a compact (67x107x16 mm) and lightweight (120 g) device. Suitable for creative shooting both in the studio and on the street. Battery — 3100 mAh. Thanks to this, it works 2-15 hours on a single charge. Fully charged in 2 hours.

In total, there are 120 LEDs in the illuminator. There are 20 preset programs to get different effects.

The kit includes:

• illuminator;
• diffuser;
• fastening.

Yongnuo colored light fixture

A stylish, lightsaber-like device that will help you take unusual photos. The brightness of the lighting is adjusted using the buttons on the handle of the device. It can also be controlled from a smartphone (via Bluetooth). Available in 3 colors: blue, red, green. The battery lasts for 2-4 hours at full power.

Important: Battery and AC adapter not included. They need to be purchased separately.