Color correction using lights when using a color filter

[Larry Miles]

Hello,

 

If one is using a colored filter over the lens, is it possible to use colored lights on actors within the frame in order to make their skin tones seem normal and not colored by the filter?

 

For example, if you're using a yellow filter, will shining enough blue light on the actor's face make him/her appear with correct skin tones?

 

Thanks.

[David Mullen ASC]

Sure more or less. It's just that if you use heavy filters & gels, you may get a monochromatic face because you have so little color information to work with. Filters only cut colors, they don't add them, so a heavy yellow used for a heavily blue-lit subject may end up neutral if you nail the balance, but so few red wavelengths would have gotten through that I suspect the face would look a bit grey-ish.

[Larry Miles]

Thank you.