What’s a quick way to add a CTO gel to a large softbox to match tungsten ambient?
Asked 7/28/2010
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I want to color-correct flash from a large softbox so it matches tungsten ambient light, typically by adding a CTO gel. My current setup is a Paul C. Buff giant foldable softbox on an AlienBees AB800, but I’d like solutions that apply broadly to most flash/softbox setups rather than one specific brand.
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
16y ago
2 Answers
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Shouldn't it be possible to attach some kind of gel holder directly to the flash unit, and then softbox on top of that?
Originally by user112. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user112
16y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
A practical approach is to mount the gel near the light source rather than trying to cover the entire front of a giant softbox. A common method is clipping a CTO gel to the speedring or otherwise attaching a simple gel holder between the flash head and the softbox. That keeps setup quick and avoids needing a huge sheet across the diffuser.
If you do attach the gel to the speedring area, use a piece large enough to cover the emitted light cleanly; larger modifiers may need a fairly large gel sheet or roll stock.
There are also manufacturer-made bulb covers or domes that shift color temperature, but those tend to be more specialized and can be expensive.
So, for most systems, the simplest general solution is: use a CTO gel sheet clipped or mounted at the speedring/flash head area, keeping it secure and clear of hot parts.
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