DIY Portable V-flat for Photography: Professional, Easy, & Inexpensive

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DIY Portable V-flat for Photography: Professional, Easy, & Inexpensive

Рет қаралды 46,500

Nicole Carson Bonilla

Күн бұрын

Пікірлер: 119

@brandonnicholas6900 5 ай бұрын

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.

@NicoleCarsonBonilla 5 ай бұрын

Yes, they can be very expensive. I hope you enjoy making your own :)

@hankkingsley9183 2 ай бұрын

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.

@kevinyounger7854 Жыл бұрын

3M Super 77 spray adhesive. Spray both surfaces, let both dry. Then put them together. Works perfectly.

@NicoleCarsonBonilla Жыл бұрын

Hi Kevin, that's a fantastic suggestion! I will try that next time :)

@hankkingsley9183 2 ай бұрын

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

@sharifsircar 4 ай бұрын

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.

@richardomar6820 Ай бұрын

Wow super amazing

@mikeregas3342 23 күн бұрын

Great video and well laid out instructions for the V-flats. Curious if you thought about using a matte or flat pain instead of the paper for the black side?

@victoryisyourportion 5 ай бұрын

Thank you for all that you do such a beautiful thing to help these young women❤️

@thomas_fodor Жыл бұрын

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.

@NicoleCarsonBonilla Жыл бұрын

Thank you for the suggestion Tom! I will have to try that next time :)

@neddanison9202 Жыл бұрын

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.

@209lapko 5 ай бұрын

Brilliantly done!!!

@integrity-arts-world966 Ай бұрын

Amazing ❤❤❤❤❤

@tomaspascual7233 3 ай бұрын

Que linda que sos y gracias por la idea. Lindo trabajo tambien.

@milesian1 Жыл бұрын

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.

@NicoleCarsonBonilla Жыл бұрын

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??

@milesian1 Жыл бұрын

@@NicoleCarsonBonilla I found them on Amazon (of course). So far so good.

@emilylynn8406 9 ай бұрын

What was the name of them or the link? I’m having a hard time finding it!

@milesian1 9 ай бұрын

@@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.

@livesongs82 2 жыл бұрын

Always a game changer when we see one of you DIY, thank you!

@NicoleCarsonBonilla 2 жыл бұрын

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 :)

@NicholasStein Жыл бұрын

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.

@NicoleCarsonBonilla Жыл бұрын

Hi Nicholas, that is a great suggestion! Thank you :)

@justcallmesando 2 жыл бұрын

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!

@NicoleCarsonBonilla 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for subscribing! :) And that is a great suggestion!! Thx!

@55cavu Жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@flproductions90 Жыл бұрын

this is amazing! you have the best vflat tutorial

@NicoleCarsonBonilla Жыл бұрын

Awe...thank you Fiz for sharing this with me :)

@penguin_mom 2 ай бұрын

Great video thanks!

@CarlyWaarly Жыл бұрын

Good for you, have seen these at extortionate prices and knew they would be better quality and price with do it yourself. (Studio Photographer)

@NicoleCarsonBonilla Жыл бұрын

Thank you! It's definitely more convenient to buy them but more affordable to make them :)

@microminstrel Жыл бұрын

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.

@NicoleCarsonBonilla Жыл бұрын

Yes, purchasing pro v-flats definitely saves time! And there are some great options out there :)

@selenabostick5844 Жыл бұрын

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!

@NicoleCarsonBonilla Жыл бұрын

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'.

@andreak4280 Жыл бұрын

another great DIY vid … foam core panels turned out nice!!! thanks again for the fantastic detail 🙏🏼 sub’d!!

@NicoleCarsonBonilla Жыл бұрын

Hi Andrea, thanks for the feedback! I really appreciate it!! And thanks for the sub :)

@jjaylad Жыл бұрын

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.

@NicoleCarsonBonilla Жыл бұрын

Thank you for the feedback! I love your solution…very clever :)

@jjaylad 7 ай бұрын

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.

@jonathangutierrez7984 9 ай бұрын

Thank you very much, You really make a diference for many people like me :3

@maxhighstein 6 ай бұрын

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.

@NicoleCarsonBonilla 6 ай бұрын

That is great advice, Max! Thank you :)

@bobbijobrooksfineartphotog5980 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the tutorial this is great!

@NicoleCarsonBonilla 2 жыл бұрын

You are so welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed it :)

@viciwo3396 6 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing!

@NicoleCarsonBonilla 6 ай бұрын

You're welcome! :)

@hankkingsley9183 2 ай бұрын

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)

@tibszabo 7 ай бұрын

Love it, thank you! :)

@gentlegnt 2 жыл бұрын

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)?

@NicoleCarsonBonilla Жыл бұрын

Hi Huie, thank you so much! I think any foam board would work! Good luck :)

@jaybeckerich Жыл бұрын

Excellent job

@NicoleCarsonBonilla Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much Jay! I'm so glad you liked my video :)

@Jdtstudio 2 жыл бұрын

This is awesome! Thank you very much

@NicoleCarsonBonilla 2 жыл бұрын

You're so welcome!! Thank you for the feedback :)

@TorrancePollard 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Nicole.

@NicoleCarsonBonilla 2 жыл бұрын

You are so welcome! :)

@lnaglamourphoto3944 Жыл бұрын

thanks for making this video

@NicoleCarsonBonilla Жыл бұрын

You're welcome! :)

@MrBanda77 Жыл бұрын

Super! Thank you!

@NicoleCarsonBonilla Жыл бұрын

You're so welcome! Haha...I love your username :)

@susanpszenitzki3953 Жыл бұрын

Another inspiring video. Thank you, Nicole! I'm making my shopping list now.

@NicoleCarsonBonilla Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much Susan!! I really appreciate the support :)

@urszulaczapla3010 Жыл бұрын

Dziękujemy.

@NicoleCarsonBonilla Жыл бұрын

You are so welcome Urszula! :)

@mohamadalkotob2525 6 ай бұрын

Thx

@NicoleCarsonBonilla 6 ай бұрын

You're welcome :)

@truthsayers8725 Жыл бұрын

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

@NicoleCarsonBonilla Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for the feedback! Thicker boards would be nice :)

@BeatOfAngelx 4 ай бұрын

ughhh im so lazy....xD, nice work tho!

@hisaurabhshah Жыл бұрын

Thanks👌

@NicoleCarsonBonilla Жыл бұрын

Hi Saurabh, thank you so much for the support!! I appreciate it so much!! :)

@choiian3899 Жыл бұрын

great video! how about 30" x 40" x 5mm / 10mm? I can't get the exact one in UK :(

@thesoobz 9 ай бұрын

How do you get the foam boards to not bend? Eventually they seem to bend slightly

@hemersonparanagua Жыл бұрын

AMAZING

@NicoleCarsonBonilla Жыл бұрын

Hi Hemerson, thank you so much! :)

@alwinlindez2233 5 ай бұрын

Thanks. What is the thickness of the foam board?

@NicoleCarsonBonilla 5 ай бұрын

1/4 inch :)

@alhardy1644 Жыл бұрын

why not buy black board and white board?

@NicoleCarsonBonilla Жыл бұрын

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 :)

@leelindemann7729 Жыл бұрын

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.

@gentletummy Жыл бұрын

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.

@misterlove7034 Жыл бұрын

a black and white collapsible reflector works the same : )

@NicoleCarsonBonilla Жыл бұрын

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 :)

@sincerly_dion Жыл бұрын

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?

@NicoleCarsonBonilla Жыл бұрын

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 :)

@Solomulala2010 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks! Have you considered paint spraying the black side of the board?

@NicoleCarsonBonilla 2 жыл бұрын

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!

@pogolas 10 ай бұрын

Goddess.

@travissilvermanphoto Жыл бұрын

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"?

@NicoleCarsonBonilla Жыл бұрын

Thank you for the question Travis. No, they have not seemed too small although 40" wide would be better :)

@Mikey-hp2ce Жыл бұрын

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?

@NicoleCarsonBonilla Жыл бұрын

Hi Mikey, I paid about $10 for the roll.

@Mikey-hp2ce Жыл бұрын

Thanks

@arazzsrazwill882 Жыл бұрын

very hard to get this size of foam board in Malaysia.

@NicoleCarsonBonilla Жыл бұрын

I am so sorry Arazzs! Maybe there is another material available to you that could work? :)

@sevded4678 Жыл бұрын

Hi Nicole, Should white side be matte or shiny?

@gentletummy Жыл бұрын

Hi Sevde, I don't think it matters :) But I've only used boards that are matte.

@vflatworld 2 жыл бұрын

Now show us how to build a softbox ;)

@NicoleCarsonBonilla 2 жыл бұрын

That is a wonderful suggestion! I will add it to my list :)

@michaelcurtis3453 Жыл бұрын

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.

@shengyuanhsuphotography7255 2 жыл бұрын

push!!

@LesWarren Жыл бұрын

thinned out contact cement.

@NicoleCarsonBonilla Жыл бұрын

Thanks Les, that's a great suggestion! :)

@martinsmith6049 Жыл бұрын

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)

@NicoleCarsonBonilla Жыл бұрын

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.