DIY Portable V-flat for Photography: Professional, Easy, & Inexpensive
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- čas přidán 21. 07. 2024
- This is the BEST METHOD to make double-sided black and white v-flats without painting to take your photography to the next level. As a bonus, I show you how to make your own carrying bag to easily transport and protect your v-flats.
I searched high and low for easy-to-find supplies to make these v-flats for a fraction of the cost of v-flats you can purchase online. This is my favorite method and I’m excited to share it with the world. If you find this video helpful, please consider leaving a Super Thanks by clicking the Thanks button under the video. Your small tip will help me continue making free photography videos to share with you :)
Here are the supplies you’ll need:
Foam boards (4 per v-flat):
32x40” pack of 10: amzn.to/3MMUnQZ
30x40” pack of 10: amzn.to/3HlDrQv
30x40” pack of 10: amzn.to/3tu7yzJ
2” black gaffer tape (minimum 8 linear feet per v-flat): amzn.to/3MJPqIG
2” white gaffer tape (minimum 8 linear feet per v-flat): amzn.to/3MJOy73
48” black bulletin board paper (12 linear feet per v-flat): amzn.to/3xGRoW1
Loctite spray adhesive: amzn.to/3xEBj3i
Hook & loop tape NON-adhesive (6 linear inches per v-flat): amzn.to/3MBP07i
Xacto knife: amzn.to/3zFixdp
Carrying Bag:
Yardage needed depending on your fabric width.
60” wide fabric: 2.25 yards
45” wide fabric: 2.75 yards
118” wide fabric: 1.125 yards
Link to the Young Women of Color B.E.S.T. Retreat full video:
• Inspirational Photosho...
I would love to connect with you on INSTAGRAM: / nicole.carson.bonilla
You can learn more about my portrait photography at my website:
nicolebonillaportrait.com/ - Jak na to + styl
Wow super amazing
Brilliantly done!!!
Great video thanks!
Thank you for all that you do such a beautiful thing to help these young women❤️
Love it, thank you! :)
Thank you very much, You really make a diference for many people like me :3
Glad I found this because V-Flat World's flats are very expensive and, sadly, I don't see anyone selling cheaper versions. So I'll make it myself.
Yes, they can be very expensive. I hope you enjoy making your own :)
The thing is, once you factor in the value of your time spent shopping, making them... it often makes more sense just to buy them, considering that they are a business expense / write-off. Though it doesn't make a guide like this any less valuable! But that's why pro photographers often just buy things like v-flats, because if you spent the time making v-flats instead shooting paying clients, on balance you didn't cut your own throat.
Always a game changer when we see one of you DIY, thank you!
Awe...thank you so much for sharing that with me!! I hope my videos help others by sharing what I learn along my photography journey :)
Thanks for the tutorial this is great!
You are so welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed it :)
This is awesome!
Thank you very much
You're so welcome!! Thank you for the feedback :)
Amazing ❤❤❤❤❤
this is amazing! you have the best vflat tutorial
Awe...thank you Fiz for sharing this with me :)
another great DIY vid … foam core panels turned out nice!!! thanks again for the fantastic detail 🙏🏼 sub’d!!
Hi Andrea, thanks for the feedback! I really appreciate it!! And thanks for the sub :)
Super! Thank you!
You're so welcome! Haha...I love your username :)
Thanks!
Que linda que sos y gracias por la idea. Lindo trabajo tambien.
Thanks for sharing!
You're welcome! :)
This is a really well presented video!
Future folks watching this, get the 3m stuff instead, or if you have some around wood glue will do the trick too (Longer cure time).
Spray it in a well ventilated area, or have a respirator on.
thanks for making this video
You're welcome! :)
So nice! You could also use one of those wallpaper smoothing tool kits for applying the paper over the board. DIY tools are some of the funniest and smartest things to do for us photographers. Subscribed already!
Thank you so much for subscribing! :) And that is a great suggestion!! Thx!
3M Super 77 spray adhesive. Spray both surfaces, let both dry. Then put them together. Works perfectly.
Hi Kevin, that's a fantastic suggestion! I will try that next time :)
Just know that if you aren't working under a vent hood, or outside, you're going to get spray adhesive on everything in your workspace. Plan this carefully if you are going to DIY it... you do not want to breathe that spray adhesive, so you MUST use a proper respirator
Thank you Nicole.
You are so welcome! :)
Excellent job
Thank you so much Jay! I'm so glad you liked my video :)
Thanks for this video. It is a great how to. I think the final product is better than the commercials ones that use a fabric. When using the adhesive spray, I would have rolled the black paper up with the black on the inside so you are unrolling a little easier. I am watching this in November 2022 and the comments are also very good.
Hi Nicholas, that is a great suggestion! Thank you :)
When using spray / contact adhesives, you need to spray both surfaces & then press them together. That's how it's designed. This makes using it quite tricky because once you have a section tacked down you can't lift it to reposition.
Thank you for the suggestion Tom! I will have to try that next time :)
Thanks for making this comment! I was going to say that, too. I use a lot of spray adhesive, and applying it to both surfaces is basic practice.
AMAZING
Hi Hemerson, thank you so much! :)
Dziękujemy.
You are so welcome Urszula! :)
Good for you, have seen these at extortionate prices and knew they would be better quality and price with do it yourself. (Studio Photographer)
Thank you! It's definitely more convenient to buy them but more affordable to make them :)
I'm new at photography and all of the lights, lenses, backdrops, etc have become so expensive. Our studio has bright orange-ish vinyl flooring and I've been having trouble with color cast, but didn't have much to spare on more equipment. So happy to find this diy!
Hi Selena, I'm glad you're not giving up on your space! You can make it work :) These portable v-flats are a great way to create your own studio 'walls'.
Great video. Very clear. I made 2 sets a few years ago. I simply painted the black sides after assembly, They have held up fine. Foam board was a nosebleed here so I used a couple of 4x8 sheets of 1" Foam insulation board. 1st thing I did was gorilla tape all the edges with added plastic reinforcements (cut from a plastic milk bottle) ...taped over the exposed corners since that board is so crushable. They don't get used a lot, but are still as good as when made.
Thank you for the feedback! I love your solution…very clever :)
Exactly how I made my set except my boards are simple 1" foam insulation board. Very light. Pre-taping the outside edges keeps them from being damaged. They've survived in the studio and on 12 or so location shoots.
Thanks👌
Hi Saurabh, thank you so much for the support!! I appreciate it so much!! :)
Another inspiring video. Thank you, Nicole! I'm making my shopping list now.
Thank you so much Susan!! I really appreciate the support :)
How do you get the foam boards to not bend? Eventually they seem to bend slightly
You MUST use a proper respirator and filters when working with spray adhesive...breathing that stuff is very, very bad. If you use it in your living space like you see here, it's going to go everywhere, so put drops over anything you don't want coated in adhesive (like those dining room chairs)
I made an all-white V-flat because white was more important for me to have for most shooting needs and I couldn't find the right black paper to make the black side. BUT then I found a set of 10 double-sided foam boards with black on one side and white on the other for under 100 dollars. I used your taping method to join four of them today and I will make another one soon. I can always use extra foam boards as reflectors and backdrops for product photography, so the last two will also go to good use. Thanks again for this fantastic tutorial.
That is so awesome you were able to find foam boards that were already double-sided. That is the ideal solution! Where did you find them??
@@NicoleCarsonBonilla I found them on Amazon (of course). So far so good.
What was the name of them or the link? I’m having a hard time finding it!
@@emilylynn8406 Hi. Search for "Union Premium Foam Board Black/White 30 x 40 x 3/16" 10-Pack". Right now they're asking US$98.
I very much appreciate your very well displayed tutorial video and also VERY much appreciate your cause to these ladies of color. I am CERTAIN they and family and friends will remember that day for the rest of their lives. Such an inspiration to us photographers. I think I shall offer the same locally in the Bay Area of California. Credit is all for you. I shall also donate tonight or tomorrow when I get some down time. Thanks again. Will not look at product pricing and go from there. Would you know if the foam core from local "Dollar" store locations would also work (in case those from Amazon come bent or broken)?
Hi Huie, thank you so much! I think any foam board would work! Good luck :)
great video! how about 30" x 40" x 5mm / 10mm? I can't get the exact one in UK :(
Fabulous! Just be very careful to ventilate your space well when spraying that glue, and be extra careful not to let it get on anything but the boards. I'm not sure I'd want to use that in the house.
That is great advice, Max! Thank you :)
Thx
You're welcome :)
great video. id prefer to have one-piece just because i can see this being too flimsy in MY USE. i know where you got the foam core. MY store is set up identical you yours lol. i wish foamcore was available in 3/4 or 1 inch thickness though. it makes it heavier but not nearly as flexible.
great job on the build and explanation and looks like the images were fantastic too
Thank you so much for the feedback! Thicker boards would be nice :)
ughhh im so lazy....xD, nice work tho!
time is way more valuable than money. by the time it would take me to run all over town for supplies and then spending a few days crafting, I could just order a few professional v-flats.
Yes, purchasing pro v-flats definitely saves time! And there are some great options out there :)
Thanks! Have you considered paint spraying the black side of the board?
Hello Solomulala, you're welcome :) No, I have not tried spray-painting the black side. But I did try painting one side black with a small roller. As the boards dried, they warped significantly!
Nicole-is there a reason that the shiny black paper is preferred? I have yards and yards of solid black cotton fabric and was wondering if that would work ok.
You could definitely use black fabric instead of paper :) You may have to increase the glue. The paper may have looked shiny in the video, but it has more of a matte finish.
Would it be affective to spray one side with chalkboard paint? Instead of trying to glue black paper on the other side? Or is the paper a necessary addition?
I tried painting one side with black chalk board paint using a small foam roller. The moisture of that small amount of paint caused the foam boards to warp dramatically as they dried. They became unusable. I was super bummed because that would’ve been easier than applying black paper :)
Hey - I noticed you use smaller sized foam core than the original V-flats use. Do you ever find that 32x80 isn't wide enough? As opposed to 40"x80"?
Thank you for the question Travis. No, they have not seemed too small although 40" wide would be better :)
So helpful! - I can't find the EXACT Fadeless Bulletin Board Paper, Fade-Resistant Paper on Amazon UK. How much did your one cost in dollars?
Hi Mikey, I paid about $10 for the roll.
Thanks
Thanks. What is the thickness of the foam board?
1/4 inch :)
very hard to get this size of foam board in Malaysia.
I am so sorry Arazzs! Maybe there is another material available to you that could work? :)
Hi Nicole, Should white side be matte or shiny?
Hi Sevde, I don't think it matters :) But I've only used boards that are matte.
push!!
Goddess.
a black and white collapsible reflector works the same : )
Yes, any black or white surface will work! The v-flats are convenient because they are larger and are free standing. I’ve used my 5x7’ reflector in the past. It just requires a separate stand and clip to move it where I need it :)
why not buy black board and white board?
Hi Al, I like how you think! Double sided white/black boards would be perfect!! Unfortunately I have not been able to source them in my area. That’s what I tried to find first. If you find some, please share any links :)
thinned out contact cement.
Thanks Les, that's a great suggestion! :)
Now show us how to build a softbox ;)
That is a wonderful suggestion! I will add it to my list :)
Do I sense sarcasm? The only UK supplier I have found are selling your product for £972. This lady is providing a great service for what is essentially a simple over priced product. Reduce the price and you'll sell loads and loads more.
Nicole...I saw at the store you visited they had both black and white foam board... seeing as they are so lightweight why didn't you glue them back to back? (I gave you a like btw)
I considered that option as well. But I figured it would make the hinges more difficult and the boards heavier overall. Since these are meant to be portable, I wanted to keep the weight minimal. Since I'm usually a one-woman-show for on-location shoots :) But I'm sure that would work I just haven't tried it yet.
Thanks!
Thank you so much for the love! I appreciate it :)
Thanks!
thank you so much!! :)
Thanks!
Thomas! Thank you so much for the support! I appreciate it :)
Thanks!
Huie!! Thank you so much for the support! I really appreciate it :)
Thanks!
Hi Ray, thank you so much for the super thanks!! I really appreciate it :)