Color Magic: Dabbing Into Gel Photography

With a new year underway, the idea of setting up new goals is very tempting. Thought a list of plans is motivating, I now much prefer to follow a gradual progression. Life itself is already stressful, and working under pressure doesn't always make things right; that said, I want to take any new opportunity to alternate with new techniques because it keeps me interested. So, with this post, I’d like to share my latest attempt at working with color gels.

Working in a photo studio isn't something I do regularly, and it forces me to set my attention to one thing at the time. From the moment I proposed Lorena to meet with me in the studio, the idea of playing with light and color was always there, and the closer it got to the day of the shoot, the more elaborated the concept would become.

The portraits on this post reflect my attempt to work with color gels in a controlled environment. I enjoy the mood color gels can create, and how the many opportunities offered by color seem unlimited. Combined with a gridded, small octabox, I was able to develop deep darks and softer textures that bring a lively expression on Lorena's eyes.

Before starting to add gels, Lorena and I experimented with different lighting patterns like split light, butterfly light, and short light, giving us a variety of portraits that convey different moods and stand out quite nicely. Stay tuned for a follow up on this post, where Lorena and I will continue exploring the fun magic that color contrast can create!

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Lorena @lfn96

Photo Studio: @BlackSheepAterlier