How to Use RGB Lighting and Color Gels in Photo Studio

August 20, 2025

LIC 4 - a Blackout Studio for rent near me New York with RGB lights, X-lights, Concrete Wall, Black gloss floor and two different French Walls

Creating dynamic, mood-driven photography has never been more accessible thanks to the powerful combination of RGB lighting and color gels. Whether you’re working with built-in studio RGB systems or adding color gels to traditional strobe lights, understanding these tools can transform your creative vision into stunning reality.

What Are RGB Lights and Color Gels?

RGB Lighting

RGB LED lights offer a weaker light intensity since they are constant and do not flash, but they provide unprecedented creative control. The word RGB stands for Red, Green, and Blue – the three primary colors that combine to create millions of different hues. Modern RGB lights allow photographers to dial in precise colors through mobile apps or control panels.

LED RGB video light for rent at FD Photo Studio

Color Gels: The Traditional Approach

Color gels are essentially pieces of thin, semi-transparent plastic that change the color of your light. These heat-resistant filters have been the industry standard for decades and remain an essential tool for any photographer.

Setting Up RGB Lighting for Studio Photography

Camera Settings for RGB Continuous Lights

When working with RGB studio lights, adjust your camera settings to compensate for the continuous lighting. Most photographers either increase their ISO or decrease their shutter speed in order to make up for it. Start with these baseline settings:

ISO: 800-1600 (depending on your camera’s noise performance)
Aperture: f/2.8-f/5.6 for portraits
Shutter Speed: 1/60s or slower (no sync speed limitations with continuous lighting)

Tip: Use a tripod or image-stabilized lens when working at slower shutter speeds to avoid motion blur. RGB lighting can be dramatic but dim so stabilizing your shot helps maintain sharpness, especially in low light.

RGB Light Placement Techniques

Key Light Setup: Position your main RGB light at a 45-degree angle to your subject. This creates dimension while allowing the color to define the mood.

Background Lighting: Position it opposite the wall to create an attractive RGB background for your photos. This technique works particularly well with white or neutral backgrounds.

Rim Lighting: Rim lighting is another effective way to use RGB lights, creating a dramatic effect without being overwhelming. Place the colored light behind and to the side of your subject for edge definition.

@anyakolodinskaya photographed by @av_stories at Rain Room Studio Hill 7

Rain Room Photo Studio Hill 7 in Los Angeles features overhead RGB lights combined with rain feature. This specialized studio offers unique creative possibilities for fashion and artistic shoots with rain and dynamic colored lighting for extraordinary visual effects.

Color Gel Photography Techniques

Two-Light Gel System

Create dynamic portraits using this proven setup:

Main Light: White strobe for natural skin tones
Fill/Background Light: Colored gel for mood and background interest

The main light positioned slightly above and to the right of camera is a clean, white light. Then position a second light so it hits both the side of the model as well as the background. This technique allows for controlled color application without compromising subject lighting quality.

Photographed by @zacharyismith at Studio D in Los Angeles

Advanced Gel Techniques

Split Lighting: Place a colored gel on one side of your model’s face to create split lighting. You can even position one flash on each side of the face to light up your subject with two colors.

@nastya_adn photographed by @av_stories at Olympic 3 Studio with TV Wall in Los Angeles

Los Angeles Photo Studio for rent Olympic 3 features overhead RGB lights designed for cyc wall photo or video shoots, plus an RGB LED tunnel, professional turntable perfect for car photography, and a Vintage TV Wall. The large white cyclorama wall creates seamless backgrounds, making it ideal for commercial fashion and product work requiring precise color control.

Background Color Washing: Place it behind your subject, out of sight and facing the wall. Once you trigger the remote, you should see the wall take up the color of the gel you chose.

@maddfit photographed by @george_simian at Olympic 5 Metal Hangar Studio in Los Angeles

Los Angeles Photo Studio for rent Olympic 5 features a massive metal hangar with full car access, a dedicated production room, restrooms, and MUA tables. Unique set pieces include a full-size boxing ring and an illuminated light wall, offering striking backdrops for photo and video shoots. The spacious industrial layout makes it ideal for automotive photography, fitness campaigns, music videos, and large-scale productions.

Color Psychology and Mood Creation

Understanding Color Emotions

Colors are psychologically linked to emotions. Pick colors that meet the mood or message that you want to send. Each color carries specific psychological associations:

Red: Energy, passion, intensity, and warmth. Red provides psychological diversity given the symbol to which it’s connected – from love to speed to anger.

Blue: Generally, cool or blue light gives the audience a sense of calm during the film. But it can also be used to create a somber or suspenseful scene.

Purple: Adding purples and purple tints into your images can inspire a feeling of creativity or mystery.

Green: Green is the predominant color in the natural world giving it a refreshing quality. It’s a soothing color to view.

Warm vs Cool Color Schemes

When creating a “moody” photograph, photographers typically lean towards cooler colors and into the darker neutrals. Cool colors evoke stillness and introspection, while Warm photographs can inspire a sense of freedom, movement, and the feeling of physical warmth.

@anyakolodinskaya photographed by @av_stories at Hill 7

Other FD Photo Studio RGB Lighting Options

Los Angeles RGB Studios to rent

Yukon 5 features our signature RGB ceiling system with Batcave garage atmosphere. The studio includes separate gated entrance for car access and ceiling-mounted RGB that eliminates the need for additional light stands while providing dynamic color schemes perfect for automotive photography and large productions.

Model @arabellachi photographed by @perazna at the studio Yukon 5 in Los Angeles

Studio C with large windows has been recently upgraded with full-spectrum RGB lights above our 19-foot white cyc wall in Downtown Los Angeles. This setup offers unlimited creative possibilities for fashion, commercial, and artistic photography with large format shooting capabilities and professional-grade RGB integration.

Olympic 2 combines overhead RGB lights with rain effect capabilities in a controlled environment. This unique studio provides creative possibilities for fashion and artistic shoots with professional water management systems working alongside colored mood lighting.

Hill 2 offers versatile RGB lighting configuration suitable for various photography styles. The studio features professional color control systems with adaptable setup that can be configured for different creative requirements and production sizes.

Hill 8 showcases our unique RGB wall system for dynamic side lighting effects that create vibrant colored backgrounds without additional equipment. This studio also has concrete walls, a motorcycle prop, and a photo booth setup alongside the wall-mounted RGB system.

Model @summersoderstrom photographed by @dreamstatemuse at the studio Hill 8 in Los Angeles

New York RGB Studios

LIC 4 is a blackout studio featuring RGB lighting with professional-grade color mixing capabilities. This controlled lighting environment offers complete darkness when needed, allowing the RGB system to create dramatic color effects.

Model @jamiebearfancypants photographed by @alexvalderanafotos at the studio LIC 4 in Los Angeles

Astoria 7 features RGB lighting with full-spectrum color control throughout the studio. This studio includes a motorcycle, traditional studio equipment, and RGB lighting setup that can create any color combination needed.

Model @morbid.doll photographed by @dmnckalxndr at the studio Astoria 7 in Los Angeles

Metro 1 is a blackout studio featuring RGB tunnel effects, RGB walls, and a sports bike prop. This car-friendly studio offers complete darkness for controlled lighting with RGB walls that create immersive color environments and tunnel lighting effects perfect for automotive, motorcycle, and creative portrait photography.

@all_hailshe photographed by @postbykev at Metro 1

Metro 2 offers RGB ceiling options for overhead lighting effects that eliminate harsh shadows with even distribution. The full-spectrum color control from above creates flattering light for portraits and commercial work while maintaining creative flexibility.

Model @malisha.sj photographed by @masashiro_tsumi at the studio Metro 2 in Los Angeles

Metro 4 offers adaptable RGB lighting configuration with rain effect capabilities and professional color control systems. The setup can be configured for different creative requirements with the unique addition of controlled rain effects combined with RGB lighting for extraordinary visual possibilities.

Model @kiiantay photographed by @allmediahouse at the studio Metro 4 in Los Angeles

Color Gel Availability

For photographers working in studios without built-in RGB systems, FD Photo Studio provides color gels compatible with our included strobe lights. This ensures creative color photography access across all our 60+ studios, giving you flexibility regardless of which studio you rent.

Conclusion

Mastering RGB lighting and color gels opens up unlimited creative possibilities in studio photography. Whether you’re using the advanced RGB ceiling systems or working with traditional color gels on strobes, understanding color psychology and proper technique will elevate your work.

Ready to explore RGB lighting and color gels in a professional environment? Rent studio space at any of FD Photo Studio‘s locations featuring built-in RGB systems or bring your own gels to work with our included strobe lighting equipment.

1. Browse Available Studios: Visit our studio rental page to explore all 62+ locations

2. Check Equipment Lists: Review our comprehensive equipment offerings

3. Rent Your Studio: Use our 24/7 online booking system to secure your preferred date and time

4. Receive Your Check-In Code: Get your self-check-in code to access your studio seamlessly

Call us at +1 (323) 454-2323, or email us at info@fdphotostudio.com. We also have a live support chat on our website where you can get directions, request help, or ask questions.

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What Are RGB Lights and Color Gels?

RGB Lighting

Color Gels: The Traditional Approach

Setting Up RGB Lighting for Studio Photography

Camera Settings for RGB Continuous Lights

RGB Light Placement Techniques

Color Gel Photography Techniques

Two-Light Gel System

Advanced Gel Techniques

Color Psychology and Mood Creation

Understanding Color Emotions

Warm vs Cool Color Schemes

Other FD Photo Studio RGB Lighting Options

Los Angeles RGB Studios to rent

New York RGB Studios

Color Gel Availability

Conclusion

Find a Photo Studio near you

L.A. Studios

N.Y.C Studios

Rent Studio

Clients Review

Events

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