Editing Color gel (section)

{{Short description|Material used to color light or correct color}}
{{redirect|Color filter||Photographic filter|and|Color filter array}}
{{more citations needed|date=July 2012}}

[[File:Many color gels.jpg|right|thumb|Many color gels organized, some in gel heads]]

A '''color gel''' or '''color filter''' ([[American and British English spelling differences|Commonwealth spelling]]: '''colour gel''' or '''colour filter'''), also known as '''lighting gel''' or simply '''gel''', is a [[transparency (optics)|transparent]] colored material that is used in [[theatre|theater]], event production, [[photography]], [[videography]] and [[cinematography]] to color light and for [[color correction]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.destudiodublin.com/About/Glossary-deStudio.htm#G|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090505172444/http://www.destudiodublin.com/About/Glossary-deStudio.htm#G|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 5, 2009|title=TV, web/corporate video, film/photography studio and lighting/grip terms glossary – deStudio, Dublin|website=www.destudiodublin.com|access-date=2018-08-08}}</ref> Modern gels are thin sheets of [[polycarbonate]], [[polyester]] or other heat-resistant plastics,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/technique/expert_advice/how-to-use-lighting-gels-2-4304|title=How to use lighting gels|website=www.amateurphotographer.co.uk|date=8 April 2013 |access-date=2019-03-22}}</ref> placed in front of a [[lighting fixture]] in the path of the beam.

Gels have a limited life, especially in [[saturation (color theory)|saturated]] colors (lower light transmission) and shorter wavelength (blues). The color will fade or even melt, depending upon the energy absorption of the color, and the sheet will have to be replaced. 

In permanent installations and some theatrical uses, colored glass filters or [[dichroic filter]]s are used. The main drawbacks are additional expense and a more limited selection.