Finding the right gobos to use in haze or projected on surfaces can be tough – in this video, David breaks down how to choose the right gobos for the right situation (and how to tell if a fixture you are considering has the right gobos for your needs).

If you have spot or beam fixtures in your lighting inventory, then you can likely use gobos to create more texture on stage and in the air!

What Are Gobos?

To know whether or not your current lights already have gobos or are able to have them added in it is helpful to first know what they are! So, what are gobos? Gobos are small metal and glass patterns that the light shines through so that you can see a pattern once it is projected onto a surface. This can be on any surface of your stage, from walls to the ceiling, to props etc.

There are two main types of gobo patterns that exist so it is important to know a bit about them so that you can make the best decision when it comes to purchasing the right one for you and your needs.

Types of Gobos (Artwork Styles)

Gobos typically are either designed to look really good when projected on surfaces, or to look really good when shooting through haze or fog.

Projected gobos tend to have busier patterns, and tend to let more light through.  They may look their best focused sharp, slightly soft, or even completely out of focus - try all 3 and see which works best for your event!  

Aerial effect gobos look best in haze or fog, shooting through the air.  In order to be their most effective, they typically  are focused sharp through the air and they generally have larger, less complex patterns with blank space between them.  This gives excellent contrast with the air around them and makes them look their most vibrant. 

Most gobos fit into 1 of these 2 categories, and a typical light has a mix of both.   If you light has a prism, it may be able to use that paired with an aerial effect gobo to make it work projected onto surfaces - so events without haze can still make use of those gobos!

Which Gobos Are Right for You?

Trying out your different gobos on your lights can help you determine which look you like best, and which will work best for your needs.

Whether you are working with regular stage lights or moving lights there are going to be a plethora of gobo options to sort through. If you are trying to figure out what they look best on the best advice is simply to play around with it and enjoy the creative process.

Another piece of great advice when choosing gobos is to take time to work with the focus. As you work with the focus you can see what they light will look like sharp or soft and get a better determination of whether you want that light projecting through the air or directly onto a surface.

The possibilities are endless and all up to you!  Have fun, and don't forget that when you need training, check out Learn Stage Lighting Labs, and when you need to buy lights or AV Gear, get it here!