Tip of the Day: Flash Filters

You can use filters on your flash to solve two problems.Problem #1 -Flash Is Too BlueProblem #2 -Orange or Green BackgroundsWhen using flash, the backgrounds are illuminated by the room light.Thats because the room light is illuminating the shadows.To eliminate the orange or green:• Change the color of the flash.• Adjust the wh

By Popphoto Staff | Published Apr 16, 2009 8:19 PM EDT

How To

You can use filters on your flash to solve two problems.

Problem #1 –
Flash Is Too Blue

Problem #2 –
Orange or Green Backgrounds
When using flash, the backgrounds are illuminated by the room light.
That’s because the light from the flash doesn’t go very far.
The backgrounds may be orange from tungsten (light bulb) lighting, or green from from florescent lighting.
You may also have noticed that the shadows created by your flash are orange or green.
Again, that’s because the room light is illuminating the shadows.

To eliminate the orange or green:
• Change the color of the flash.
• Adjust the white balance.
Change the Flash Color
Change the color of the flash to match the color of the light in the background.
Use one of the following three methods.

Method #1
The manufacturer of your flash may sell color correction filters.

Method #2
Try Rosco filters.
To convert a flash to tungsten light color, use a Rosco 3401 filter (aka Roscosun 85), which is equivalent to a Kodak 85B filter.
To convert a flash to florescent light color, use a Rosco Plusgreen 3304, which is equivalent to a Kodak 30G filter.
Use real gaffer tape to attach the filters to your flash, not duct tape.