In this video, I show you how I used a simple CTO gel to turn a daytime portrait into a believable nighttime image using flash, white balance, and ambient exposure control.
We’ll break down:
how CTO gels work
how to create a day into night effect
balancing flash outdoors
using ND filters vs high-speed sync
and how to use color correction gels indoors to make your lighting feel more natural and believable.
I also walk through my exposure process for shooting outdoors with flash and explain how white balance and color temperature affect the mood of an image.
WORKSHOP INFO
If you’re interested in learning advanced lighting techniques in person, my next two-day advanced lighting workshop takes place June 6th and 7th at my Chicago studio.
More information here: https://johngress.com/workshops/
Gear
Lee Full Orange (CTO), 20″ x 24″ Color Correcting Lighting Filter
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4nekpAA
Lee Filters 1/2 CTO 24×21″ Gel Filter Sheet
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3PdDNkL
Rosco Cinegel #3407 RoscoSun CTO Filter (20 x 24″ Sheet)
B&H: https://bhpho.to/4k7E2sN
Rosco Cinegel Filter #3408 RoscoSun 1/2 CTO (20 x 24″ Sheet)
B&H: https://bhpho.to/49k0xGs
Rosco Color Correction Filter Kit (12 x 12”)
B&H: https://bhpho.to/42VsDnT
Tiffen Variable ND Filter (82mm, 2 to 8-Stop)
B&H: https://bhpho.to/42PD7FX
Rosco #3202 Full Blue CTB Color Conversion Gel Filter (20 x 24″ Sheet)
B&H: https://bhpho.to/4jOHCYw
Canon R5 Mark II
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4cJZyir
B&H: https://bhpho.to/3Yc4YyB
Canon BG-R20 Battery Grip for EOS R5 Mark II
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3B3Bg5f
B&H: https://bhpho.to/3XJFyaT
Canon RF 85mm F1.2 L USM
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3tHbPxm
B&H: https://bhpho.to/3L6f1Na
Canon RF 28-70mm f/2.0
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3vkEWbE
B&H: https://bhpho.to/426bKEM
Elinchrom FIVE
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Um6V61
B&H: https://bhpho.to/3LcypYZ
Elinchrom Maxi Reflector 40 cm (16”) White
Amazon: https://amzn.to/38VCStY
CHAPTERS
00:00 – Introduction
00:58 – Breaking it down on location
02:26 – Nailing The Shot
02:52 – How to Expose Outside
03:29 – Variable ND
04:26 – Day into Night Main Takeaways
05:45 – Using Color Correction Gels Indoors
06:59 – Final thoughts
