Gel light sources or use filter on lens? (rookie question)

[Hannes Famira]

I am thinking about a scene where everything is supposed to be bathed in warm morning light or immersed in sodium vapor yellow, like a strong stylistic slant to a scene's light temperature: What are some of the deciding factors wether to gel the lights or put a filter on the camera. Thanks for any input!

[Satsuki Murashige]

Gels (or RGB LED lights) allow you to add color to individual lights. So if you want a warm sunlight effect combined with a cooler or more neutral ambient fill light, just gel the light. 

If you want an overall color cast, similar to changing the color temp in camera, then you’d use a filter on the lens. For example, on a wide day exterior shot where you’re just using natural light, you would use a filter or change to color temp to get that warm look.

You could also use uncorrected tungsten lamps or gold reflectors if you just wanted a warm key light.