One of my first assignments in my advanced lighting class over 20 years ago was to make these out of PVC tubes bought at the hardware store. One of my favourite ways of using them is to put three of them together into a triangle... like a giant softbox. I use a bare bulb studio flash pointing into the back of the triangle and I get the indirect light bouncing back onto the flat face which I use to illuminate the subject. The two panels being used to form the V have white fabric faces on the inside and black fabric on the outside to control spill. The flat front has just one white face. Sometimes I've used it as a key light but often I've used this to provide on-axis fill, as the light source is large enough to wrap around me as I take the picture.

I started decades ago working for an ad agency. One of my jobs was flying out to LA to shoot stills on their ad campaigns. I saw pretty quickly how much they used scrims, flags and bounce light from large to small panels. Using these sorts of modifiers has so many amazing positive attributes. You can get super soft lighting in very tight locations, if that's your style. Also adjusting the contrast of that light is easily controlled by moving your light closer or further from the panel. Moving the light higher and lower also helps give looks that are darn near impossible with other modifiers with a fixed light. One trick I've used in tight locations with 12' or lower ceilings is to allow the key light to bounce out over the top of the panel, as well as though the pane. This brings in some room bounce. I've been able to set up a shot without needing a bounce card or panel because of the softening I get from the bounce light. Again, great for tight spaces and when you're on a tight schedule. I've used other brands and sometimes just use the popup 5in1 modifiers. but you need to clip them to a stand. I like these for their free standing feature and plan to buy a couple of sets.. nicely done..

@NathanElson

Жыл бұрын

Super handy light modifiers for sure.

Nathan; I'm really happy you are doing great and don't stop. This channel will grow!

@NathanElson

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Bryan!

Stunning Nathan! I always look forward to your content

@NathanElson

Жыл бұрын

Thanks!

I just order a set of these with the diffuser panels. I had been looking at the V Flats that most people have been using but this one you previewed looks much more versatile. Love your channel and thank you for helping us less pro photographers learn and live vicariously through you.

@NathanElson

Жыл бұрын

Anytime Pete! Thanks for tuning in and I hope they work great for you.

@jamesbates7990

Жыл бұрын

Are these sold by the set(2)?

@NathanElson

Жыл бұрын

@@jamesbates7990 Yes they are

That energy you give to us!! Thanks man!

@NathanElson

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for tuning in!

Love your presentation and your photographic skill is awesome. You really see the model. You go for her inner being. Bravo

@NathanElson

Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much!

Portability for the WIN! So nice!

@NathanElson

Жыл бұрын

Exactly.

I have a V Flat system like this I bought in the 80’s . The company was Lightform , there pvc with bungee inside easy to breakdown. Amazing how thing come back around.

@john3Lee

Жыл бұрын

I have the very same system....Originally it was developed by Peter Dean, who is unfortunately no longer with us..

@NathanElson

Жыл бұрын

Yep, like most things in the world, everything cycles back at some point 😉

@DK-ys2cw

Жыл бұрын

@@john3Lee I suspect you mean Dean Collins. In 1990, when I was in photography school, Dean was a photographic god to me. What he could do with one light, a translucent and a reflective panel and a mirror, was incredible!

@CarlosDavidFoto

Жыл бұрын

@@DK-ys2cw after a 2 hour session with Dean during one of his seminars, I understood light and ratios

@CarlosDavidFoto

Жыл бұрын

Bought Lightform panels back in the day and still make my own from 3/4" PVC tubing from my plumbing supply company.

Good info for many people. I really like StrobePro's products, and recommend people look at them when researching new gear. They sell nothing useless. I use that rolling butterfly over your right shoulder.

@NathanElson

Жыл бұрын

agreed

These are so simple I can't believe no one else thought of this. I just subscribed. Looking forward to watching more.

@NathanElson

Жыл бұрын

Awesome! Thank you!

These look fantastic. I've been looking for something like this for ages. I'll have to order a few to try out. Thank you for the video

@NathanElson

Жыл бұрын

Anytime!

These look perfect for a project I am working on... thanks for this!

@NathanElson

Жыл бұрын

Awesome! Glad I could help.

Thank you for sharing. This is exactly what I need.

@NathanElson

Жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

As always - Great content !!

@NathanElson

Жыл бұрын

Thanks John!

The late, Dean Collins, was prolific in his use of translucent light panels. I remember him using them 40 years ago.

i really really really was hoping this video will all be in black and white thanks god it IS ! thanks for doing it this way man i freaking love ya

thx so much for the tips , loveee the v flats

@NathanElson

Жыл бұрын

Happy to help!

This is really cool. Thank you for sharing.

@NathanElson

Жыл бұрын

Glad you liked it!

this is awesome! thanks for sharing

@NathanElson

Жыл бұрын

Anytime! Thanks for watching 😉

Thanks for telling us aboat these

wow, I love these, never seen them before! I def. want to get some! thank you for sharing!

@NathanElson

4 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching!

I love Strobepro! I bought three flash systems from them at a great price. I also like their product tutorials.

@NathanElson

Жыл бұрын

Ya they have been awesome to use / deal with.

Thanks!

@NathanElson

Жыл бұрын

Welcome!

thanks for sharing, saludos desde Chile 🇨🇱

Nathan 😌👊🏾 it’s been a minute. These could be a game changer, especially with the added translucent material. Thanks as always brother. Cheers.

@NathanElson

Жыл бұрын

Hey Bud! Ya they are pretty rad. They will be seeing a lot of use in my space 😉 Hope you’ve been well my friend.

Mine just arrived and I'm delighted. Didn't want the foam core because I travel and those take space and are fragile. Plus, the scrim (an add-on from StrobePro) is brilliant for a non-bulky modifier setup. Shipping was great and they are very sturdy with a bag for travel/storage. A++

@NathanElson

10 ай бұрын

Ya I'm a fan of them for sure. glad you like them!

I still have my lighform panels from a few decades ago and they still look and work as good, at the moment I can't recall the cost, I like the feet on the ones you just showed

@NathanElson

Жыл бұрын

Ya these should last a really long time if taken care of. Not a brand new concept, but the feet are a definite plus.

@draganbalzic4493

Жыл бұрын

Dean Collins would approve!

Received mine yesterday. Very nice. My first V-flat type product , so let the games begin! Quick question about getting soft light ( as fill or for shadowless catalog ). Do you lean towards a scrim set up or shooting light into v-flat and bouncing back onto model ? Thanks.

I have used scrimjims for years, but they are way more expensive and no feet that I know of. These look cool actually. Thanks. Those feet and how close they can be put together is sweet.

@NathanElson

Жыл бұрын

Ya they are super convenient as a scrim. I’ll be using them a lot.

@manilamartin1001

Жыл бұрын

Looks much easier and practical vs scrim jim and cheaper

@ekphotography

Жыл бұрын

@@manilamartin1001 yes indeed, I agree, although flimsier in outdoor. I have had my scrim Jims for over 15 years and they are still kicking, although all beat up.

"what goes around comes around" Used this type of lighting for all my commercial shoots in the 90s and onwards. Looks, as you say, made to be more lightweight but the photo results are the same my old Scrim and poly flats.. Nice shots as usual from you..

@NathanElson

Жыл бұрын

Everyrhing is cyclical for sure :)

@mariovargas936

Жыл бұрын

Yup. Dean Collins introduced these back then. Made some out of PVC pipes.

Very nice lighting solution...They look like a version of the Bogen/Manfrotto lighting panels from the 90"s

@NathanElson

Жыл бұрын

Ya along the same lines for sure!

The v flat i bought is foamcore and already the white side is dirty. It is flimsy and if you dont balance it correctly it can topple..the panel hit my Nikon knocking it to the floor. Fortunately no damage done. Overall not an enduring piece of equipment. Right now with my brand new studio expense I need more clients rather than more gear but I do like the design ...are those panels washable?

I need this

@NathanElson

Жыл бұрын

Agreed

Awesome photos. Thanks for the info on a new gadget for photographers. I have a question regarding tether shooting. What soft is better to use ( I have Canon 5D m3)?

@NathanElson

Жыл бұрын

Capture One Pro all day everyday.

I noticed you have a thicker piece dangling from your tether cable… I always wanted to know what that is for?! Also, are you using tether tools or is there a budget alternative?

6:54 is there. a link or a video to that set up with that cart?

I know this video was posted years ago, but I'm curious how you feel the light compares to a v-flat or similar poly board bounce? In the past I have found that flexible materials just don't reflect light the same way as a rigid bounce board, but I'm curious if you have any thoughts.

Can you think of any use case for owning 3 pairs of these rather than 2? Other than not having to change fabrics or having multiple lighting setups good to go.

@NathanElson

Жыл бұрын

You pretty much already nailed the reasoning.

does the material bounce light as well as the harder surface of a traditional V flat?

@NathanElson

8 ай бұрын

Yes they do

Great demo, if they would offer a system like this with telescoping sides (my ceiling is 7.5 ft) it would be perfect

@kevinmcgowan1867

Жыл бұрын

You might try the Westcott Scrim Jims. They make panels that are able to be configured in various sizes.. 4x4, 6x6..which I use all the time.... 4x6, 8x8 and 4x8... But they are pricier...and slower to setup, and not free standing. I use a light stand and super clamp to secure them..

Awesome

@NathanElson

Жыл бұрын

Thank ya

@jerrym8140

Жыл бұрын

@@NathanElson your welcome, totally dig your content and I’m seriously looking into these now as I have been wanting something like this.

@jerrym8140

Жыл бұрын

@@NathanElson btw… I just ordered these and they are on sale right now. Thanks for sharing your inspiration and knowledge!

Hi Nathan! Do you have experience with sigma 135mm lens? It is worth it? And is that a lens you would recommend after 35 and 85 lens? Thank you!

@NathanElson

Жыл бұрын

I’ve never used it but I’ve heard it’s amazing.

cool

@NathanElson

Жыл бұрын

Agreed

"Everyone has at least 8ft ceilings at home" Lol.. I recently moved out of a basement suite with ceilings that were 6'2" and a section between kitchen and living room that dropped to 5'7" Thankfully I'm 5"6.. and even managed to shoot a bit in there! :P But all kidding aside, great to see you out w another vid!!

@NathanElson

Жыл бұрын

Haha fair, I guess I’m coming at it from a privileged place in an area of the world that isn’t as congested as some cities like NYC where space is a premium.

@AaronAubreyPhoto

Жыл бұрын

@@NathanElson Haha.. I only joke because in reality, 99% of people have 8ft ceilings, even in a NYC shoebox!! it was almost comical how tiny my little place was, my friend who is 6'6" couldn't stand up in my house haha! Thankfully now I'm in another Overpriced Vancouver apartment, but I do have 9ft ceilings!! :D

do they bounce as well as the harder surfice on a standard V flat

@NathanElson

Жыл бұрын

Yep.

Such an attractive system! But unfortunately, we can't find it in France :( And the shipping is more or less the price of the product... I hope so much to see this coming in Europe. Please!!

@NathanElson

Жыл бұрын

Ah bunmer! Hope something comes that way soon!

These V-Flats are great. As I live in Germany I'm scared about the shipping price. Do you have any information about selling it in Europe?

@NathanElson

Жыл бұрын

Sorry I don't. You'll have to reach out to Strobepro about that.

Nathan thanks - good review! What material do they use for these walls? I don't think it's currently possible to ship this to my country. And the second question - do you use paper or vinyl in the studio?

@NathanElson

Жыл бұрын

Thanks! I'm not 100% sure what the material is for the bounce /flag, but the scrim is the same material used for softbox diffusors.

@airtvua

Жыл бұрын

@@NathanElson Thank you! I understand what the material is. Do you use paper or vinyl in your studio?

@NathanElson

Жыл бұрын

Ahh sorry, I use paper backdrops (9' wide savage paper) and also custom painted canvas backdrops.

@airtvua

Жыл бұрын

@@NathanElson Thank you! I thought in the direction of vinyl, because they are reusable.

Standard v flat can be used as a backdrop. Black or white. That's all pros. Cons they are bulky, fragile.

This solves a lot of problems.

@NathanElson

Жыл бұрын

Glad to hear it!

How long does it take to set up/tear down?

@NathanElson

Жыл бұрын

5 - 6 minutes both ways

WHen you say absorb light, for the negative fill, doesn't it just prevents the light from reflecting off (say you studio wall) rather than use "Absorbing the light"? Found out recently and will like you to give more clarity on that.

@NathanElson

Жыл бұрын

Well if something doesn't refelect light, it absorbs it. Either way, the concept is easy to understand, it doesn't bounce it back.

Great! No more need for foam core or gator board!!!

@NathanElson

Жыл бұрын

Exactly

Where can you get these at

@NathanElson

Жыл бұрын

Link is in the description.

Black and white video is just can’t see better

@NathanElson

Жыл бұрын

I'm a fan ;)

What monitor and laptop are you using? That's a very sexy digi cart you are using.

@NathanElson

Жыл бұрын

Dell XPS 15 laptop with a 27” Asus monitor. I like it.

@ltshinta

Жыл бұрын

@@NathanElson many thanks

Wish I'd seen this three weeks ago. 😪

@NathanElson

Жыл бұрын

me too ;)

I’m confused. Is the $196 for just one panel or two? Black and white material included?

@NathanElson

4 ай бұрын

There are two panels in a kit. Black and white included.

@arexpressionsphoto

4 ай бұрын

Ok, great. Thanks for clarifying,@@NathanElson Loving your videos.

Not everyone has 8' ceilings. Do they make a 6'x4'? My ceilings are 7' and some rooms have ceiling fans.

@NathanElson

Жыл бұрын

I think you're out of luck for this style of reflector.

@andreak4280

Жыл бұрын

Hey Paul, there are other options in smaller size than in this vid. The panels are from a company called Calumet (brick/morter out of business now) i have a couple of the 4’x6’ with translucent, black, white & silver/gold panel that fits over the frame basically like in this vid. Ebay has some and im thinking they continue to get posted here is the name ebay sellers have them listed as: 🔹CALUMET Light Control REFLECTOR PANEL FRAME 42x78" hardware WHITE FABRIC bag you may be able to find other color panels for sale on their own the panels in the vid look great but yes, 8’ is for larger spaces and or higher ceilings

Nice vflats...wish they were closer to $100 than $240 😔

Looks like you received a pre production unit that has since changed minorly in design. The little bit of information about the design change is not positive. Can you confirm you are not using the current version and that you received the pre production unit? The unit demoed in the video you mention is pre production and they discussed the change in the comments.

@NathanElson

Жыл бұрын

Haven’t heard about it or seen anything new so I have no idea.

Nice advertisement of v flats 😅 i thought it's a DIY video with PVC pipes 😔

Thumbnail image of this one is misleading

@NathanElson

Жыл бұрын

You're misleading

@redaizo

Жыл бұрын

@@NathanElson :p i saw hard light but could have used v flat for negative fill on the side, no misleading maybe

Broke folk: a speedlight, a white shower curtain and roll of tape will get the job done most of the time!