How can I create colored strobe highlights in camera with only two flashes?

Question

I’m practicing with multiple strobes and want to add colored lighting effects in camera rather than in post. My base shot was lit with a single strobe bounced off the ceiling from above the camera. In editing, I created a cooler overall look and added a soft purple-to-red tint on the right side of the frame.

I can set white balance for a cooler overall image, but I haven’t been able to get that colored side light to appear naturally from the strobe. I’m wondering how to create a soft purple area that transitions toward red, ideally using just two strobes.

Would this require gels, bouncing into colored surfaces, grids/snoots, or some other setup? What’s the best way to recreate most of this effect in camera with only two flashes?

user37321 · Answer

The "pro" option. Use color gels. There are some well-known brands like Rosco and Lee

http://www.leefilters.com/lighting/colour-list.html

https://rosco.com/products/catalog/roscolux

You could buy some multiple colores collection of small pieces. I prefer buying the full sheet because I do not use that many colors.

Google "colored gels for flash".

Some casual options

You can use any colored plastic or transparent or translucent material. A Plastic bag, a transparent plastic bag painted with markers, some plastic containers.

Or you can bounce the flash you want to a matt colored surface, like a colored paper. You can paint some cards using acrylic paint and use them as bounce colored cards.

Set the white balance for the main white light.

How can I create colored strobe highlights in camera with only two flashes?

2 Answers

Your Answer

Related Questions