Page 154 - (DK) Advanced Photography Guide

152 APPLYING | GELS

ALTERING FLASH COLOR

Flash light has a neutral color temperature, unlike most using Tungsten will make light from the flash look blue.
artificial lights such as incandescent bulbs, so if you mix The solution is to attach a gel to the flash head, as this
flash with another light source, you cannot set the alters the color of the flash to match the other light
correct White Balance (WB) preset. Using the Flash source. You can buy gels by the sheet, then cut them
preset will make areas of the scene that are not lit by down and tape them to your flash, or add them to
flash look orange if there is artificial lighting, whereas commercial gel holders that attach to the flash.

SET THE WHITE BALANCE FIT A FLASH GEL SELECT APERTURE PRIORITY
Select the WB preset for the Select and attach a gel to the flash Set the aperture to create the
ambient lighting or set its Kelvin value head that will make the color temperature depth of field that you want. Attaching a
(see p.45). For internal lights, this is often of the flash match the WB of the ambient gel reduces the range of the flash slightly,
provided with a light’s packaging or can light. Here, a blue gel was used to match so increase the ISO by one or two stops,
be found on the manufacturer’s website. the ambient light. particularly if using a small aperture.

SHOOT AND REVIEW ADJUST THE FLASH EXPOSURE
Take a test shot and check it to make sure that Check the photo to make sure that the
the color balance is neutral across the entire image. exposure is all right, as using a gel can cause a slight
If it is not, add a second gel of a lower strength to underexposure. If this is the case, increase the flash
the one you have already attached, or change gels. exposure, use a larger aperture, or increase the ISO.

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