Become Better Photographer: Playing With Gels with David Bergman

*For more information visit AdoramaTV YT page, and of course you can keep up with David on Instagram and Twitter @DavidBergman. LATEST UPDATE: David opened up new IGTV episodes where you can ask him questions live! find out more at http://www.AskDavidBergman.com

In this quick tutorial with photographer David Bergman and Adorama TV we’re going to talk about using gels on your flash and why they don’t always look like you expect.

Mr. Bergman explains: “What is a gel? Well, it’s just a piece of colored plastic that you can put in front of your flash, to create some fun, special effects. They are sold in may different colors and sizes. You can get a big sheet for studio lights, or for speed lights, you can cut down those big sheets, or get pre-cut little ones that are already the right size.”

“I’ve a few tips to help you get nice vibrant color from those gels, and keep then from getting washed out. The first thing to do, is make sure the gel is completely covering the flash head, I like to use black gaffer tape around all sides of the gel. If any white light is coming out of the sides, it can contaminate the color, and wash everything out.”

“The next thing to know is that the exposure will severely effect the vibrancy and color, three images were bracketed at 2 stop intervals, and you can see that the darker the image, the deeper the color.”

“Whether I change my exposure in camera or turn the power down on my strobes, either way, a darker image always gives me more saturation. Lastly, make sure that the other lights on your set aren’t contaminating the color from your gels. Lighting a subject in front with white light and wanting a color in the background, you should be careful to not have any of that white light spilling onto the background. You an use modifiers like a grid to control the spill but you can move the light closer to your subject, so it falls off faster. Or you can simply pull your subject further away from your background.”

“Remember there is no right or wrong way to do any of this because it’s a creative decision on how you want your colors to look. But if it’s deep vibrant saturated colors you are going for then make sure you tape the gel on completely under expose it a bit, and don’t mix with any other lights on your set.”

Check out our WORKSHOPS in Los Angeles that teach you hands-on how to make great photos!

Watch the full episode with David Bergman and Adorama TV:

Melinda Matticoli In NYC Astoria 9

About the shoot:

Melinda Matticoli is a dancer and choreographer from Central New Jersey. She has a strong passion for choreography and has many exciting projects coming soon that she cannot wait to share. Melinda was part of Broadway Dance Center’s Online Choreography Program this April and has trained with the Radio City Rockettes and Ballet West Academy, to name a few. This summer, she will be attending The Princeton Ballet School Summer Intensive in New Jersey and The Joffrey Pre-Professional Jazz and Contemporary Summer Intensive in New York City.

Follow:

Dancer: Melinda Matticoli

Email: melindamatt1@verizon.net

Instagram: @melindamatticoli

Photographer: Jenna Maslechko

Email: jenna.maslechko@gmail.com

Instagram: @jennamaslechko

At the location:

FD Studios in New York are proud to offer one of our latest locations/creative spaces – Astoria! Currently offering 10 distinct stages for your artistic needs.

Daisy Rey In NYC Studio 6

About the shoot:

One of my repeat clients, Emily Thamm, needed to update her headshots and also wanted new dance photos for her portfolio. I usually work from my home-based studio but since I knew we needed more space for her dance movements I decided to go with FD Studios. They have great options and we found the perfect studio for the look we wanted to achieve this time.

Daisy Rey Photography

Follow:

Photographer: Daisy Rey Photography

Website URL: https://www.daisyrey.com/

Link for behind the scenes video: https://youtu.be/zcqH6FGDZlQ

Talent: Emily Thamm

Hair and makeup artist: Zully

The stage:

NY Studio 3 also known as “exposed brick” studio is one of our brightest stages at New York campus. With additionally embellished exposed brick and concrete walls, this stage is perfect for a rustic, industrial look. As with any our other stages a standard package of three basic backdrops and three lights is available within the stage already. For more information visit NY Studio 3 on our website.

Aja In Hill 4

About the shoot:

My name is Aja I’m a model and small business owner. I’m from Southern California and have modeled here and there for years. I’ve been using FD studies for multiple photoshoots and each studio I’ve shot in brings my photos to life. For this particular shoot I worked with boutique owner Mary J and photographer Stacia.

Follow:

Model: Aja, IG @slimdiva_fitdiva

Photographer: Stacia, IG @stac1a_d

Wardrobe: Mary J, IG @maryjhustleboutique

About the stage:

Stage Hill 4 is one of our largest and brightest stages. Advantageously positioned with the windows facing west and north, this stage gets plenty of sift indirect sunlight in the first half of the day and lots of direct sunbeams in the second half. Hill 4 is furnished with several comfy and photogenic couches of cream and and golden/brown leather color. As with any our other stages a standard package of three basic backdrops and three lights is available within the stage already. For more information visit stage Hill 4 on our website.

Kelly Dooley In NYC Studio 5

About the talent:

Kelly Dooley is a dancer and performer from the New York, New Jersey area. She recently graduated with her BFA in dance from Rutgers University, Mason Gross School of the Arts. She absolutely loved shooting at FD Photo Studios and loved all that the studio had to offer.

Follow:

Photographer: Cara Stine, IG @carastine217

Talent: Kelly Dooley, IG @Kelly_Dooley32

Website: KellyDooleyDance.com

About this location:

“Art Wall” studio 5 in New York has a new floor throughout the entire stage. Nicely finished laminate flooring brings more cozy atmosphere to the stage, so your sessions could run even smoother! Find out more about our new NY Studio 5 “Art Wall”! ‘s pricing and availability by visiting our website!

Terreka Mcliesh In Astoria 1

About the shoot:

We did a playboy inspired look and a flapper 1920’s inspired look as well.

Follow:

Model: Terreka Mcliesh, IG @Badgalterri

Photographer: IG @notanothercreator

At the location:

FD Studios in New York are proud to offer one of our latest locations/creative spaces – Astoria! Currently offering 10 distinct stages for your artistic needs.

Emma Potts In Stage F

About the shoot:

I’m Emma Potts, an Aussie actress living in LA and pursuing a career in the film industry. I started gaining followers on my socials, so I decided to shoot at FD studios for content photos and footage on my pages.

Follow:

Model: Emma Potts, IG @emmalpotts

TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMdm3y4pa/

Photographer: Dropout Photography, IG @Dropout Photography

About the stage:

StageF was used for this team’s creative session. The studio is the smallest space we currently offer for our clients. Yet it is one of the most brightest stages with the tremendous amount of natural light coming from North West. It has gained a nickname – “light box” by some of our regulars and it truly fulfills it at any time of the day from dawn until dusk. This studio also features two section laminate floor of white and dark color for your creative needs. As with any of our stages, Studio F comes with 3 strobe lights already included in the hourly rate and backdrop seamless paper installed. Take a closer look HERE.

Star Reese In Hill 6

About the talent:

I am Star Reese, a model and aspiring brand ambassador for high end fashion clients and model experiences! To me, the city of LA is art, and shooting at various places around my own home city is a plus for me in my career! FD Studios gave me a great experience, with helpful staff, creative spaces to choose from, and just an appreciative business partnership, I enjoyed shooting there. My model career has taken me many places, to inspire others & show people you can be art within yourself, using your body no matter the type.

Follow:

Talent: Star Reese

Instagram : @iiambonnieparker
Twitter: @iiambonnieparkr
Clubhouse: BonnieParker

About the stage:

Hill 6 Studio is a sleek and elegant daylight studio with Moroccan shower, free-standing bathtub, moving prop wall and lots of day light. Adding up to our beautiful “gloss floor” studio 6 at Hill location is newly installed Moroccan clay textured shower corner with a deck and a standing shoot-through glass.

Ricardo Cohen In Art 3

About the shoot:

The Photoshoot was a lingerie/ sensual style with a Brazilian actress and model.

Follow:

Photographer: Ricardo Cohen, IG @ricardo_rcview

Model: Paloma Neves, IG @palomanevesoficial

MUA: Narjara Jamil, IG @najamil_makeup

At the location:

Stage Art 3
is one of our most popular stages. Featuring shot perfect props such as an elegant white-and-gold chair with a mirror as well as a luxurious bathtub, this stage is always on a high demand. Art 3 now also presents a gorgeous rose wall for your unrivaled, outstanding background setting. Besides, this studio is supplied with a seamless backdrop paper of black,grey and white color and studio lighting found in all of our spaces, promoting it as a very flexible creative space. For pictures and more information about stage Art 3 check out our WEBSITE.