Looking to make your portraits stand out with bold, creative color? Gel lighting might be your new favorite trick.
When it comes to adding visual interest and mood to your portraits, using complementary colors—like teal and orange is a simple yet impactful approach. These two hues create dynamic contrast and can totally transform the look and feel of your images.
GEAR USED IN THIS SETUP
- Lighting: Nanlite FS-300C AC-Powered RGBW Color LED Monolight
- Camera: Canon EOS R5
- Lens: Canon RF 28-70mm
- Modifiers: Nanlite Para 90 Quick-Open Softbox
Team:
Photographer: Sal Cincotta
Model: Lauren
Hair & Makeup: Brandi Patton, ReFine Beauty
Choosing the Right Gear
For this setup, we used the Nanlite FS-300C as the key light, paired with a parabolic softbox. Our edge light was the Forza 60C, which, like the FS-300C, gives you full RGB control. These lights are incredibly useful for color work because they allow you to dial in precise tones without the hassle of physical gels.
We shot on a Canon 85mm lens at f/1.2 for a nice shallow depth of field and set the camera’s white balance to 5500K (Kelvin). Shooting in Kelvin helps maintain consistent color across your images—especially important when playing with colored light.
Pro Tip: Watch Your Exposure
One key thing to remember when working with gel lighting: the brighter your lights, the more likely you’ll lose saturation. Overexposing your subject can wash out the color entirely. In this shoot, we underexposed by about half a stop to one full stop to preserve that rich teal and orange tone. Don’t be afraid to tweak the exposure until it feels right.
Teal as Key Light, Orange as Edge Light
First, we tried teal as the main light source, using orange to add a pop on the edges. This combo brought a cinematic, stylized look to the portrait. It wasn’t about perfect lighting—it was about creating something that felt creative and unexpected. Let the colors spill a little. Let it be imperfect. That’s the charm.
Creative Hack: Add Motion Blur
Want to add even more drama? Try this trick: drop your ISO to 50 (or the lowest your camera allows), set your aperture around f/5.6, and slow your shutter down to 1/10th or even 1/5th of a second. While the shutter is open, nudge the camera slightly. This introduces motion blur, creating light streaks that add an artistic touch—while still keeping the subject recognizable.
Orange as Key Light, Teal as Edge Light
After experimenting with teal in the spotlight, we flipped it. With orange as the key light and teal as the edge, the look changed entirely. That’s the fun of color: small changes make a big impact. Whether you’re shooting fine art portraits or edgy editorial-style shots, this technique can add energy and emotion to your work.
Final Thoughts
Gel lighting opens up a world of creative possibilities for your photography portraits. It’s not about perfection—it’s about personality. Whether you’re in a studio or on location, using color intentionally can elevate your images from solid to unforgettable.
So grab your RGB lights, play with color combinations, and don’t be afraid to experiment. Your next favorite portrait might just be one light flick away.
Let us know in the comments: Do you use a light meter in your workflow? Or are you thinking about adding one to your toolkit?
