This guide is designed for photographers who want to take creative and technical control of their lighting. Whether you're shooting portraits, commercial work, or creative setups, gels offer some of the most powerful and overlooked tools in shaping atmosphere, emotion, and visual storytelling.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

• How gels alter the spectral quality of light

• Why colour temperature matters in mixed lighting

• How to correct ambient light using CTO, CTB, and green/magenta gels

• Techniques for dramatic, creative colour effects

• Safe handling and mounting techniques

• How gels interact with softboxes, grids, and reflectors

• Best practices for professional results

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Excerpt from Chapter 1: What Are Gels?

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Photographers shape light not with complex machinery but with simple, thin sheets of heat-resistant polyester or polycarbonate. These gels filter specific wavelengths, allowing others to pass through, reshaping the colour of light without altering its direction. This precise control lets you correct mismatched light sources or introduce creative tones that guide narrative and emotion.

Leading manufacturers such as Rosco, Lee Filters, and GAM produce gels according to strict spectral standards, ensuring predictable results in real-world scenarios. Whether balancing tungsten and daylight or adding bold, creative colour, gels allow photographers to manipulate the psychological impact of every frame.