Correct Exposure for Gels

Gels are pieces of colorful plastic you put over your light to change the color of light.

For CREATIVE (and practical) purposes, you are normally using gels well, creatively! And eyeballing the power output is perfectly acceptable.

That doesn't mean you have to be wild guessing. Your eyes can help guide you!

If the power of your light when using a gel is TOO BRIGHT, you will see the light on your subject split into an area of white (blown out), and multiple colors. (LEFT)

If the power is somewhere in the realm of JUST RIGHT, you will see the light on your subject is one even/solid color. (RIGHT)

Of course, when it comes to gels, your ART and CREATIVITY are your own decision. Where the intensity falls is up to you.

--->The big thing to remember is that normally you want to limit blown out areas (which show up as solid white) because those do not print. You'll end up with scrubbed areas that can distract instead of enhance your image.