Using Warming Gels

We are going to examine using warming gels and the impact it can make in your photography. Warming gels add warmth and an inviting look into your images. They come in a variety of strengths (1/4; ½ and full) and are easy to use. I use Profoto lights (various kinds) and you can purchase a warming gel kit that magnetizes directly to your lights or you can use a holder and insert the warming gel sheet into it.

I use warming gels both indoors and outdoors. Let’s start with indoors. When you use your warming gel, you will want to decide what area you want warmed up. In this example, we are warming up the background. We offer “Woodland Fairies and Fellas” this time of year in our studio, and I love the look the warming gel provides for this set.

This is the same exact setup. One image there was no warming gel used on the background (on the left above) and the other image contains the warming gel (on the right above). You can see the difference this makes. (I’ve used the full warming gel in this image.)

In the next example, I was photographing for a private magazine. When I showed up, the lighting was flat (normally this perfect right?, but it was so flat that it was stale and boring).  By adding a warming gel to   the background, it made the image come alive and provided some much needed depth.

^{Here is another example of using a warming gel. The light was angled to hit both the background and her hair.}

^{You can see that this helps your images come alive and adds another layer of interest.}

^{In this final example, there was a lot of bright light in the background, but the house was blocking the light on the roses so they were very dark. We could have just added light without the warming gel (which works well also, but I decided to add the warming gel and offer a bit warmth to the image without over doing it. The house was cropped out in the final image for the client, but I left it here so you can see the warmth in the background.}

^{I recommend playing around with warming gels and practicing using them. It takes time to get a sense of when and where you think they will work best. I would recommend taking some images without the warming gels and some images with the warming gels so you can see the difference it creates. It’s also a good idea to play with strength. You might want a more subtle look or you may want a more bold look. That’s the joy in you being the creator and deciding on the results you want in your finished piece.}

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^{(Noreen Owens is the owner of Noreen Owens Photography, a studio based in Howell, Michigan. Noreen specializes in portrait photography and creates impactful works of art for clients to proudly display in their home. Noreen is a Master Photographer as well as a Certified Professional Photographer and a member of PPA. Noreen has been featured in various magazines, including the PPA Magazine.)}

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Noreen Owens

Noreen Owens is a renowned portrait artist and has received numerous awards such as being included in the prestigious loan collection of the Professional Photographers of America. Noreen was awarded her Master's of Photography Degree, is a Certified Professional Photographer, and has been published in multiple magazines.

Noreen delivers an unforgettable experience. She designs exquisite works of art for families that they are proud to hang on their walls and will be coveted for generations to come.

Listed among Noreen's clients are NHL Stanley Cup champions, actors, authors, and musicians. Her unique ability to generate unforgettable expressions that are real, genuine, and authentic makes her and her work exceptional.

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• Using Warming Gels - September 19, 2023