Colored gels on strobes for black and white?

[bolantej]

I was wondering if anyone could tell me if using colored gels on my strobes will have the same affect on my converted black and white images that colored filters on the lens would.

Thanks,
Jason

[Unity Gain]

Heck yeah they will. Experiment! I did a few tests on this back when I was in school but can't remember for the life of me exactly what gels were used. But it definately mattered. I knew a portrait photographer that used to switch between green and red gels for black and white. But I can't remember why....something about shooting near grass and trees....and something about skin tones. Darn, wish I could remember :)

[PacAce]

Just note that this is true when the strobe is providing the only source of light. If there is any ambient lighting at all, the filter on the strobe is not going to affect the ambient light whereas a filter over the lens would.

[Curtis N]

I never used strobes or filters with B&W film. I presume the use of a color filter on the lens was to increase the brightness of certain colors vs. others. If you're shooting digital and converting to B&W, couldn't the same thing be accomplished with the channel mixer, with a greater degree of control?

[jrsforums]

I never used strobes or filters with B&W film. I presume the use of a color filter on the lens was to increase the brightness of certain colors vs. others. If you're shooting digital and converting to B&W, couldn't the same thing be accomplished with the channel mixer, with a greater degree of control?

As usual, Curtis, you are correct. Digital makes B&W really easy....and interesting to try out.

Tom Neimann (PTLens) has some great examples (and actions) at: http://www.epaperpress.com/psphoto/index.html go to "Black & White" on the left column.

If you really get the B&W 'bug", you may want to try 'BW Styler' http://www.thepluginsite.com/products/photowiz/bwstyler/index.htm

[Curtis N]

Tom Neimann (PTLens) has some great examples (and actions) at: http://www.epaperpress.com/psphoto/index.html go to "Black & White" on the left column.

If you really get the B&W 'bug", you may want to try 'BW Styler' http://www.thepluginsite.com/products/photowiz/bwstyler/index.htmAs usual, John, you are a source of valuable information.

Thanks.

I really am a color kinda guy. But I'm trying to wedge into a niche of taking headshots destined to be printed B&W, so I figure I may as well try to do it better.

[bolantej]

thanks all for the very informative replies. I"ll .do some experimentation with this next batch of files from today.