What’s my NEWEST fashion photography obsession? Colored gels photography and creating beautiful gradient backgrounds. This lighting technique has become a popular trend in fashion photography – seen everywhere from celebrity photoshoots to beauty campaigns. But the high-end look is easier to recreate than you may think.
In this video, I will teach you how to achieve the color gradient background effect using three strobes and two colored gels.
How to build a gradient background step-by-step:
Step 1: Setting up the First Strobe & Orange Colored Gel
I place the first strobe with a saturated orange-colored gel upwards and close to the white/gray backdrop. This creates a gradient effect with the color changing from yellow-orange near the light source to a deeper orange further away.
Step 2: Adding the Second Strobe & Magenta Colored Gel
Next, I position the second strobe directly behind my subject on a floor stand and attach a magenta gel to it. This creates a saturated color close to the strobe that gradually fades and blends into the orange, creating the gradient effect.
Step 3: Introducing the Main Light
Then, I introduce the main light that will illuminate my subject – making sure it does not spill onto the background to keep the colors vibrant. I use this light to cast a narrow beam on my subject's face, which is why a light with a grid or one that offers restricted light, like the Westcott Optical Spot is my go-to.
Now that we've set up our lights, it's time to get the shot. In this video, I am shooting with a Canon R5 and a Canon RF 24-105 lens, which provides flexibility and sharpness.
The trend of colored gel photography in fashion is absolutely captivating - it is vibrant, and daring, and makes any backdrop look interesting. Although I achieved this effect with strobe lights, you can definitely do it with continuous lights too.
The possibilities of colored gels are endless. Don't forget you can experiment with different colors and color combinations to create your own unique look.
Interested in taking a deeper dive into colored gels? Check out my class The Magic of Gels: https://learn.lindsayadlerphotography.com/product/the-magic-of-gels/
0:00 Intro
1:23 Building The Background: Orange Gel (Light #1)
2:32 Building The Background: Magenta Gel (Light #2)
3:13 Main Light Positioning (Light #3)
4:30 Shooting the Subject
5:06 Restricted Light Effect
6:16 Final Thoughts
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✘ PRODUCTS USED:
Strobes – Profoto D2s
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Profoto XL Umbrella (white)
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Rosco Creative Effects Kits
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Westcott Optical Spot by Lindsay Adler
https://adorama.rfvk.net/P0r7rY
Camera: Canon R5
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Lens: Canon RF 24-105mm
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Nanlite Pavo Tubes
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Video: Samuel Bouret @samuelbouret
Hair: Linh Nguyen @linhhair
Makeup: Collin Rishell @collin_rishell
Styling: Raytell Bridges @raytell_bridges
Model: Andrea @andrea.carrazco
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