| What is a gobo? It's anything that controls or | | | | windows, blinds, doors, trees and leaves, and |
| changes the beam of light as it is on the way out of | | | | abstract shapes. Imagine the possibilities for interior |
| your light source. The word comes from "goes | | | | photography! You can throw a light pattern across a |
| between" or "goes before optics". Gobos are typically | | | | room, giving the visual impression that there is a |
| used in theatre or stage lighting to create an effect. | | | | window somewhere just out of view in the image, |
| They control light by blocking it in some areas, by | | | | when in fact there was none. Or you can use the |
| allowing the addition of color, or by diffusing it. They | | | | technique with an abstract pattern to break up a |
| are used often with ellipsoidal spotlights that have a | | | | blank and monotonous area (a stairwell, perhaps) and |
| moveable lens for sharp or soft focusing. | | | | add interest to an otherwise dull area. |
| Gobos are made from either thin metal or glass, | | | | It is also useful for adding light without having it look |
| commercially. Glass gobos can be colored or textured | | | | like a spotlight was placed on an object. When used |
| to create effects. Low budget theater lighting has | | | | with an ellipsoidal light, a creative photographer can |
| seen the use of everything from pie tins to soda | | | | not only use the internal barn doors to flag the light |
| cans with a pattern cut out. Essentially anything that | | | | beam, but also use the gobo to spread out a broken |
| won't burn or melt in close proximity to a very hot | | | | pattern with either a very soft edge or by adjusting |
| light source has been used at one time or another to | | | | the focus of the beam, create a very hard edge. |
| create a gobo. | | | | This gives the option of simulating either soft, early |
| For the architectural or interior photographer, as well | | | | morning light or mimicking the feeling of bright sunlight |
| as some studio portrait photographers, these | | | | at noon. Add a dimmer switch to the equation and |
| creative lighting tools can come in very handy. Metal | | | | you can easily expand your possibilities. |
| gobos come in a huge variety of patterns, including | | | | |