mixing colors of gels

[kevin_mahoney1]

<p>I would like to create different colors by blending colors (using 2-3 speedlights) from gels. Is there a chart available that would tell me which color gels to use in tandem to produce other colors?<br>

FYI I have the sample packs from Lee and Rosco, using 2- FL 50R speedlights (Olympus)</p>

<p>Thanks in advance for all answers.<br>

Kevin</p>

[rodeo_joe1]

<p>In theory you can create any colour or shade you like from just 3 gels; red, green and blue (plus white). To do this you'd need full control of the brightness of each primary colour plus the amount of white light to create pastel shades.</p>

<p>If you start with other random colours then you'll need to learn a LOT about complemetary colours and colour theory to predict the resulting mixed colour.</p>

<p>Below is an example of how the 3 primaries mix to form other colours.</p>

<p>Edit: If you have an image editor you can blend layers of solid colour to find a resultant additive shade. Just set the blend mode to "Color" and adjust the layer opacity to see what proportions produce what colour.</p><div></div>

[rodeo_joe1]

<p>Sorry, mistake. Blend mode of layers should be set to "Addition".</p>

[ellis_vener_photography]

Rodeo Joe has done a really nice job of demonstrating the additive color lighting hexagram :

 

Magenta (red + blue) is opposite green; yellow (green+red is opposite blue; and cyan (blue+green is opposite red.

 

Add opposite colors together, like magenta and green, and you get (more or less) a neutral gray.

 

Mixing different colors of light is additive color, so his chart should point you in the right direction. One caveat: if you are

working with non pure Red, Green or Blue gels the color you create can be a bit different.

Caveat two: don't be surprised if you produce colors that are way out of gamut.

[Alan Marcus]

<p>The three additive primaries are Red - Green - Blue<br>

Red + Green = Yellow<br>

Green + Blue = Cyan<br>

Blue + Red = Magenta<br>

Red + Green + Blue = White (difficult to demonstrate due to impurities of dyes of the gels)<br>

The three subtractive Primaries are Cyan - Magenta - Yellow<br>

Magenta + Cyan = Blue<br>

Yellow + Magenta = Red<br>

Yellow + Cyan = Green<br>

Cyan + Magenta + Yellow = Black (difficult to demonstrate due to impurities of dyes of the gels)</p>