Flash Photography Tutorial - Using gels to balance with ambient light
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- čas přidán 27. 07. 2024
- My entire kit of gear : kit.co/robhallphoto Xplor 600 TTL bit.ly/Xplor600TTL
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EZ-Pro Octabox (used in this video): amzn.to/2t6sWx7
Rosco 1/2 CTB Gel: bit.ly/halfctb
A photography tutorial outlining the importance of understanding color theory, and using gels to adjust the color of flash to take even more control of your lighting.
The color temperature of a light source is the temperature of an ideal black-body radiator that radiates light of a color comparable to that of the light source. Color temperature is a characteristic of visible light that has important applications in lighting, photography, videography, publishing, manufacturing, astrophysics, horticulture, and other fields. In practice, color temperature is meaningful only for light sources that do in fact correspond somewhat closely to the radiation of some black body, i.e., those on a line from reddish/orange via yellow and more or less white to blueish white; it does not make sense to speak of the color temperature of, e.g., a green or a purple light. Color temperature is conventionally expressed in kelvin, using the symbol K, a unit of measure for absolute temperature.
Color temperatures over 5000 K are called "cool colors" (bluish white), while lower color temperatures (2700-3000 K) are called "warm colors" (yellowish white through red).[1] "Warm" in this context is an analogy to radiated heat flux of traditional incandescent lighting rather than temperature. The spectral peak of warm-coloured light is closer to infrared, and most natural warm-coloured light sources emit significant infrared radiation. The fact that "warm" lighting in this sense actually has a "cooler" color temperature often leads to confusion.[2]
you have any questions please comment below and I will address as soon as I can!
For anyone looking for Side by Side comparison : Check them out at Petapixel on the article I wrote - petapixel.com/2016/08/25/portrait-tip-flash-shade-dont-mix-heres-fix/
AT first this just confused me, then I had that lightbulb moment !! now it all makes sense, ctb's for balancing outside/blue cast light and cto's for balancing with indoor tungsten/orange cast light. Simples.
Exactly! I was just at a wedding venue with tungsten/incandescent lighting. I found this out by dialing my white balance on my SONY to look correct. I ended up with 2800K. Being clueless, I looked up what this temperature was called - voila! Incandescent or tungsten. So, I dialed the color temperature into my camera. Then, it was too dark of a venue setting. I added a flash. The only problem was that when I added a flash, it looked cold and flashy. I needed to gel my flash to match the ambient color temperature. I added a CTO to my flash, set my camera tp 2800 (or tungsten/incandescent) and had a big, huge, gigantic AH HAH moment! Don't you just love it???
Thanks for your unselfish act of sharing your time and valuable acquired knowledge with us .. very grateful indeed
+contactpq absolutely, thanks so much for watching!
Interesting technique, good video. Perhaps consider putting with and without filter shots side-by-side for comparison for every setup. That would demonstrate much more clearly.
this is exactly what I came here to say. I need a side by side comparison! Great video otherwise thanks
exactly what I scrolled down to post
Same here ;) Other than that great video! :)
This has helped me so much with the problems I've been having. thank you for taking the time to make this tutorial. very informative!
I have watched and watched this. And embarrassingly - the science just didn’t make sense in my brain.
However. I watched it yesterday before a shoot - and applied the technique- and the results were fantastic.
I think I finally understand the why of it all.
Thanks Rob.
I’m actually working on a second video to try to explain this (and applied oppositely) in a better way because it’s a really weird concept and I want to show it in more scenarios. It’s much easier for me to show now that I have Mirrorless cameras so I’ll hopefully have it up this month!
Have you done that yet, Robert? This video REALLY helped me! I shoot in the green forest and trees ALL the time and everything looks green and blue. NOW I KNOW WHAT TO DO. And, conversely, I am shooting a wedding and have been doing the opposite experiment with tungsten and incandescent lighting with CTO gels. Light BULB MOMENT, for sure!!! @@robhallphoto THANK YOU!!!
Is that second video up? This video was great.
You're just making all the lights the same color. If your background is bluish make your main light bluish too and they will match.
This is an awesome trick. Amazing work! Subbedd
Love this!! Can't wait to try my neewer gels on my neewer flash when I go fishing next in the early spring
Great video Rob! Now I just need to get the right mounts, gels, and softboxes for my flash. This technique makes sense and it was good to see your style when shooting.
This is brilliant man. Thanks so much for posting this!
Very good video. I like the more advance techniques. Thank you for something outside the standard lighting.
You're a good teacher. Hoping to see more videos like this from you. Subscribed.
Great video. Thank you for an educational technique to improve a photo.
Love this tutorial . Thanks
Great video, thanks!
I always thought that the easiest way to deal with the cool shady side was to use reflectors, this is extremely elegant solution.
Yet another great video, Rob!
Excellent vid and understood. Thanks Rob.
This is amazing! Great video!
I like to put a full or even full+half CTO on and force that shade to a deep, rich blue while keeping the subject in a warm glow. Gels are ace. You can also add a small strip of green, purple etc to make the light more "dirty" and natural - something Gregory Heisler writes about in his book that works amazingly well. Great video on a largely underused topic!
This was so helpful. Taught me how to use gel, and understand white balancing better. Great Clip. Thank you for your clip.
Not explicitly mentioned is manually matching camera color temp to flash color temp. It's implied, but if anyone leaves the camera on auto white balance this method only works with luck. Since flash is daylight-balanced, the gel provides a Kelvin number that it + the flash create _together_. Set the camera to that number.
I'm just now getting in to off camera flash photograph so this is feeling like calculus at the moment but still awesome and saved to my list of videos to watch again, and again. Thanks!
Check out this playlist, especially episode #9 which is a great demonstration of white balance and gels. czcams.com/video/JB3NhpZ5wa4/video.html
Love the images of your friend, great job. Keep teaching. I enjoy your videos. I am a new subscriber. Thanks for all the tips. I appreciate it greatly.
Your channel as been a gold mine for my "never stop learning" mentality. I loved this video topic!
So glad it’s been useful for you!
Robert, Nice job on the video! I remember as a kid, grabbing every extra scrap of Rosco Gel that I could find at the Studios, just to experiment, or practice what I learned (while I watched), when working as an Assistant.
XD
you are not wrong anymore 😂
You are the man, this is revolutionary. This so helpful, I can not overstate how great this is.
+Dj Dyno thanks, that means so much, glad it helped you out!
Great video! Do you think you can make a short tutorial on how create your light gels, how you fit them on the ad600, etc.?
This is great! Thank you!
One of the best outdoor flash tutorials, I've ever seen Bro. big respect
+Raychristofer thanks so much, happy it helped!
Robert Hall Photography I bought some neewer gels... the gels are making the skin tone super blue even though my in camera WB is set to 10000 Kelvin... what do I do?!
Great video, I will try it out at my next shoot when in the shade.
Outstanding! Thank you.
+ZERO 9 thank you!
Nice video. I use the AD600 myself and it's a great flash!
This is great. Thank you. I'm gonna give this a go.
Thanks, good luck, please share how it works out for you!
Very good and interesting, video man. Also very well explained
That is a lot of information!! Thank you!
Very interesting video Robert! I will definitely be buying some blue gels after this tutorial!
+Bach Photography thank you! It’s saved me a ton of time in post!
How about an update on using gels Robert with the new AD200 attachment gels.
5:21 “That’s Fukn tight” 😂
Great video. Thanks!
That Godox unit is so so nice, so nice! I love mine, i take it everywhere, recommend it without any doubt.
+Daniel Uta it sure is! I've fully adopted the system and can't imagine using anything else
nice video! thanks for sharing.
My old stomping grounds...been to that park many, many times when I lived just off Sashabaw Road.
Nice video... A great master!
Dude good stuff
Thanks for the vid! I recently took some shots at a comic con and my flashed subjects look great and the backgrounds, which were bathed in convention center lighting, look horrible and they couldn't be fixed in post. No biggie, it was only for fun anyway. My plan for an improvement next time was to shoot with no flash, but after seeing your video I'd like to also try matching the ambient lighting with gels on the flash and see how it compares.
+321RCHeli. For sure! Yeah I've been burned in the past skipping the gels and having to do complex masking and intricate brushwork to get a background balanced. Whether it's for balance or effect it's certainly worth it to have gels as a tool to adjust your images before they ever hit post.
This was very well done. I hit the subscribe & notifications button. Excited for you to get to HSS & explaining how it ACTUALLY works (i.e. the whole concept of under exposing & what not). Great job & Thank You
+N'Kera King Thanks so much! I will be addressing HSS soon
Nice man, helpful.
Fantastic - Thanks for this video! :)
excellent video, now to make a 1/2 CBT for my new V1
First time I see your videos.I liked this one.
Thanks for this Robert! What if you wanted to warm your key light a bit while balancing it for the shade. Would you add a 1/2 CTB and a 1/4 or 1/2 CTO?
I believe you'd add "less" of a CTB. So, if "shade" is full CTB, you'd gel your light source only 1/2 or so CTB, to make the source of artificial light "warmer". If you set your cameral WB to full blue at 7140 or "shade", your artificial light will produce warmer than "normal", as dedicated by your camera setting and gel. In summary, if you gel your artificial light less cool than your camera setting, you will produce a warmer result in your image. I hope this helps.
Hey Robert , thanks for the video! and for sharing the link to suggested godox accessories. What are your thoughts on the Godox XT32 transmitter? Will it work with every godox flash including the soon to come ad200?? I prefer the design and layout of it over the xt1 transmitters. Thanks again for great content!!
Hi, is Seconik working with my Godox flash system? What is the best lighting meter for Godox products?
Great Video, thanks.
I wonder however how much of it is actually doable to work around in post process?
Propably not easy to correct different WB in shadow area of the face, vs the lighted area, but i guess the backround is easily set on different WB if you need to.
Yeah changing the background ambient is a breeze, but the adjustments that come with then correcting the subject with mixed temperatures always requires complex masking and brushwork. Depends on how many images your providing but adding a gel (if balance is the goal) is always faster.
"Fuckin' tight" 5:21 lol
the pic or the shirt?
You mentioned in a previous vid that you can't recommend the Godox gels for the round head AD200 attachment and upcoming round head speedlight because of the color cast the gels have. Do you know if the Profoto A1 gels can be used on the Godox round head applications because they're both magnetic?
Amazing video, after five years since posted, still offers valuable knowledge!!
Rob, this is a great video tip, love it. Is it possible for you to link the rubber bands you got. Thanks.
Hey David, sorry I missed this one.
amzn.to/2bGEZYg
Those are the heat resistant silicone cooking bands in 2 inches.
They work excellent for the AD600 and speedlites (though those you don't have to worry about heat at all)/
Cool vids my friend!
Hi Robert how do you set up you on camera flash ( looks like tt685 or 860 ) as a transmitter to your ad600 ?
Super interesting tutorials.. Thanks brother! ;)
Interference can be heard @ 1:50
That being said, I'm sure your production value has improved significantly since 2016, and it wasn't really bad to begin with.
Thanks for making this video; it is still the most expansive example video that can be found with a simple search for "budget color temperature gels" on YT in 2020
Thanks man!
Great video! Must have watched at least 4 times. What do you recommend to use to hold the gel to a strobe like the AD600? Would rubber bands work?
I use silicone cooking bands instead of rubber bands, because silicone cooking bands are made to handle high temperatures.
Hi Robert , Good video ... Can I ask how you fireing the main flash ... the speed light ? type ? .
Thanks
+Roy UK Hey Roy, on camera I've got the Flashpoint Zoom R2 TTL Lithium Ion. It's the American Adorama rebrand of the Godox V860II.
The V860II (along with every other speedlite in the Godox X series) has the 2.4Ghz radio technology built in, so it can trigger and control the Godox AD600BM without the use of any other receivers or transmitters. If you check out the rest of my channel I go into extensive detail about the full Godox lineup!
You should have way more subscribers, your videos are really clear cut and informative. While Still maintaining a down to earth vibe. Love it dude keep it up!
Thank you so much for that comment! I'm not worried at all about subscribers, but happy to hear you enjoy my videos.
@@robhallphoto just watched this fro the second time and didnt realized i commented on it already lol!
would it be best to buy a barndoor with a 7 reflector for the godox ad600Bm or should i use my Godox tt600 for the backlight and for my keylight use the godox ad600BM
So your change your camera’s white balance to match the gel?
When I add a 1/2 ctb of blue and jack white balance in camera up to 7100, it just makes the shadow bluer? What am I doing wrong?
Great video, Robert. Do you foresee any problems with using silicone bands to attach gels to a reflector rather than attaching the gels directly to the bulb, as you have done?
definitely not, I would just get some larger silicone cooking bands
more videos like this please!
You should have way more subscribers. Quality content unlike all of the other photography fluff out there. I will be watching for sure
+Kyle Pilkey Thanks so much Kyle, I only started on CZcams with no existing audience this year, so it's really just beginning for me. I'm commited to continuing my CZcams efforts and have plans for a ton more content. Here's to hoping it continues to grow, this week was a big leap for me. I plan to continue discussing equipment and the technical side of our industry with absolutely 0 commitment to any specific brand. I pride myself on delivering unbiased information.
+Robert Hall Photography you will take off for sure. When you do don't get lost pimping the gear. Keep a good mix of videos that keep the sponsors/gear heads happy and videos that hopefully raise the quality of the photos being made out here.
you've inspired me, man.. great vid!
+Matthias Egger thanks man, hope you create something awesome with it!
already putting it into practice - At this point i have either a cto or ctb on my flash depending on the effect i want to create, and on swapping my wb with custom K - having lots of fun with that. come to think of it you'e finally given me the confidence to switch off auto WB!
God. Shots on the forest are painfully beautiful.
Thanks! Didnt understamd the first time. Sounds necessary but i will have to watch again.
Thanks Robert for the sharing, may I know what Octabox is that in the video? Can you recommend some on-the-go Octabox that is good for wedding photographer (for AD600 users)?
Hey Kenneth, the octabox I used in this video is in the "Godox buying guide" link. Specifically it's the 36" but I included their other versions as well. They are all umbrella mechanism so they collapse and store easily which is a must for wedding photographers. And they are substantially cheaper than equally-featured octaboxes from other brands
Nice video...Can you recommend an attachment for a speedlite (Canon 600EX RT) that's easy to use in the field...Thanks.
Philip
+Uptown Wedding Photography NJ
Magmod gel system is super fast and easy to use in the field, and has awesome modifiers that work with it as well.
You use the ad600 bm a non ttl light. Do you think the ttl version is not worth the upgrade? The bm version is quite a bit cheaperso it made me thinking which one i should buy.
Is that a flashpoint light stand that you are using?
Tell me something, can this be duplicated by tweaking the WB in camera if you dont have gel correction?
No. The problem displayed in this video is about having 2 different white balances. No one white balance amount in lightroom will work for two colors of light. Only way you could do it is with complex brushing but that is time consuming and inaccurate.
Thanks , and after i sent the message I realized what you just said. I have always notices on sunny days the shadows of trees appear blue, Im sure its a reflection of the blue sky because overcast days the shadows are grey as the sky. Ive come back to this shoot several times the results are great. the bad boy Jesus comment was classic.
I'm wondering which CTB (flash gel) to buy, 1/2 1/4 or full what is the popular one.
Normally, i shoot in medium shade. And do i have to adjust the temperature K in the camera depends on the ambient light or is there any specific temperature K for every CTB ?
Thanks for the vid. I'm afraid I didn't quite "get it" on the first go around - just a gap between your teaching and my learning style is all. I revised this vid after some more learning, and it really cemented the knowledge. Thanks! BTW: side by side comparisons would help tons!
Thanks, very helpfull. Grtzz from the Netherlands.
Would using an 18% gray card in the shot and setting the WB in post fix it all?
This was brilliant.
+Jason Bodden Thanks so much Jason!
Why use a battery powered speedlight to trigger the godox instead of a trigger?
+BEERJOINT SKATEBOARDS I don't like the X1 controller very much because the tactile response to the dial doesn't match up perfectly to the power level, and it's a little slower to engage. So I tend to use the speedlight to control it instead of the X1. It's just easier for me to adjust power without looking at it.
Is it me or is the wheel for selecting groups backwards on the x1 as well? It's really screwing with my brain haha
Sir should we use flash everywhere
I got the shade solution...
CTB with Camera @ 7140 K
In sunlight...
Is your solution NO gell on flash so it is @ 5500K with camera on 7140K ??
VERY VERY interesting... I am a magmod users and just throw a 1/4 CTO on with camera @ 5000K... This is a great start to understanding this...
THANKS.
Is that a yongnuo yn360? I would recommend it for any photographer . THis light wand is perfect for any kind of shoot (to light a subject for the autofocus in dark situation ) or even to add a bit of color (color mod) . Try to buy a barn door with it , and you got THE CHEAPEST but The best light you've ever bought. Since i do photo & video , its even more usefull for video interview. Since you can also dim the light wiht it , its usefull for lightning & taking a photo with a wide aperture.
after 6sec of your video, SUB! nice intro :D and thanx for info in video, GJ
Thanks so much Elda! I hope you enjoy!
Yes! it's inspired me, and it's fun :) TY!
Unsolicited suggestion: turn your cell phone on airplane mode while filming to eliminate that audio glitches.
I thought it was my phone interfering with my headphones. I threw my phone on a couch across the room because I couldn't get rid of it. Lmao!
How to function magmod tripods
Hi, which gears (lens & camera) do you used to make that awesome looking shots 00:01?
+Rooster that's just my D750 + 70-200 2.8!
can you share the lens used ?
85 1.4G
awesome video. I too recommend d the godox ab600. so, when talking about the inverse color....blue gels....higher color temp in WB....warmer gels...lower color temp on WB?
+Adam Peterson
Yup. If you add blue to your primary light, you therefore have to add yellow to your settings to balance it, which means everything that isn't gelled will get more yellow, including the ambient. And it works the opposite way of you add yellow, when you compensate with the lower Kelvin temperature, all other lighting gets more blue.
Lastly, you can do this with your tint as well. If you put a green gel over your key light, to balance you would have to add a significant amount of magenta. Therefore all your ambient and other flashes would have a very magenta color
Such a simple explanation that I've never heard before but makes complete sense. Thanks Robert!
I have the ad360 godox and love it and was thinking about getting the 600. How were you controlling the OCF . You have an on camera flash could you use that flash in addition to the OCF? as far as the Gel. You used the gel and you pumped up your WB in the camera to 7000 something? No Gel your WB was at 5500? So you always match the color of your gel and the in camera WB the same? I have just started with flash and if I understood you your explanation has made more sense than I seen before. Thanks
I'm using the Flashpoint Zoom R2 TTL Lithium Ion (amzn.to/2coDT23) which is the same as the Godox V860IIN (amzn.to/2c3xCKp). Both of those will control and trigger anything in the Godox X series (Flashpoint R2 Series) lineup.
amazing
More videos like this, best!
question I have is how did your gel not melt from being directly on the bulb?
+SincerelyAND gels are designed to be heat resistant, the tube is contained within glass and heat escapes out the bottom. It doesn't get hot enough to melt a gel.
lovely bokeh, what lens were you shooting on? what settings? would be nice to have it in description
+Alexandre .. 85 1.4G