Flash photography in tungsten environment...

Hi,

I have to do flash photography in places where the predominent lights are tungsten. The subject colors are ok but the background ends being yellowish.
How can I get uniform color balance for both the subject and the background? Can I use a filter on the flash and use a "tungsten" color balance on the camera? any other tricks?

thanks

Put a 1/2 CTO gel on the flash, shoot with WB Tungsten.

basically if you colour-match the flash to the ambient light you can use a single white balance setting for the whole room. if you cant get hold of proper gels or coloured diffusers try orange cellophane & stick a couple of layers over the flash head, and test it beforehand so you know how much to use

You need to use a CTO (color temperature orange) gel on the flash and set the camera for a tungsten color balance.

Here's a nice big sheet of CTO gel, you can make like 20 of them for small flashes, or even cut one out thats the right size for a monolight AND a bunch of flashes: http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …_Full.html#spec​ifications

Here's something that you might find helpful, its a pack of filters. Not only can you find CTO in there, but it will have plus green (for balancing for flourescent) and other useful ones! http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …rrection_Kit.ht​ml#reviews

I personally carry around 3 filters per flash: CTO, straw (I think it's 1/2), and plus green. I then keep one of the big lee swatchbooks in the case too in case I need a red or something like that.

If you're non-crafty (and/or lazy) like me, you can get the pre-fab velcro and gel kit:

http://www.adorama.com​/FAHSS.html
http://www.adorama.com​/FAHGK.html

I'm generally using the 3/4 CTO gel on my flashes, with white balance set to 3200K. This seems to match the tungsten bulb used in spotlights pretty well.

I attach gels with velcro - cut out the gel, glue velcro to it, and I already have it on my flashes.

Thanks!!
I'll check it out!!

I do what Tim does as well, piece of velcro on either end, and one on either side of the flash head. I have a piece of really thin sanded really smooth plywood that I attached velcro to either side of also, I just stack all of the gels I'm not using on that.

When bouncing I have to do a FEC.if using a gel should I have to do more of a FEC to compensate for additional light loss??