A few weeks ago, I was asked by V-Flat World to write an article about my experience using a v-flat for architectural work. For listeners of our podcast, you know that we had a flash interview with the founder when we did our episode from PhotoPlus in NYC back in November. I expressed my interest in using one for the type of work I was doing and picked one up.
After my shoot for Gucci, I messaged the founder about my experience along with some behind the scenes images and the finals. He asked me to write an article for their blog since majority of v-flat users are portrait photographers. Let me know what you think!!
Originally Published on V-Flat World.
Roughly five years ago I made the transition from shooting weddings and portraits to shooting architecture and interiors. When making a transition like this, I quickly realized I had a lot to learn. It was as if I was learning my profession from the beginning and starting all over again. Composition was different, lighting was different, post-production was different. It was rough on the bank account as the tools I needed were different. There were the obvious basics: tilt-shift lenses, geared tripod heads, etc. as well as all the small things I didn’t realize I would need, or wanted to try and see if I needed.
On my shoots, I use a combination of natural light and flash. Client’s needs, the look of the space, colors in the room, layout of furniture and walls will all play a factor in the technique I use. Nowadays, even if a client is looking for a very natural look, I typically use flash in some way, to help enhance the image, avoid some color casts and sharpen details. Bouncing light has been my go-to technique since starting. I began by shooting real estate photography, and it was fairly easy because 80-85% of the time, I was coming across white ceilings to bounce light off. As I started shooting bigger homes, then bigger commercial spaces and architecture, despite purchasing more powerful lights, it became more challenging to achieve the proper lighting balance. Lack of white walls, or walls being 20-30 feet away from my subject brought a lot of issues.
Back in March of 2018, we had Aaron Kraft as a guest interview on our Shooting Spaces podcast. Aaron is an architectural photographer based out of Jackson Hole, WY. When speaking with Aaron, he told me of his use of v-flats when shooting interior and architectural photography. For me, that was an “aha” moment. I never thought of using v-flats for the type of work I was doing, but it definitely intrigued me. I thought this could potentially be the perfect solution for these challenges I began facing, now that I was shooting bigger spaces. It would also give me that soft, bounced light I liked, in an effort to try and keep my images looking natural and not so “flashy.”
Being an interior photographer, I am always shooting on location, and this presented a major problem for me looking to try and use v-flats on my shoots. I asked Aaron about it and he told me he made his own portable v-flats. I immediately put building my own v-flat on my list of things to do when I had spare time. We all know how that goes and it never happened.
Luckily, this year at PhotoPlus in New York, while doing some networking for the podcast, I ran across V-Flat World. After reviewing their product, I was hoping this was the perfect solution that I was looking for considering I never had a chance to build one on my own. I decided to pick one up and was excited about the opportunity to use it.
Coincidentally, about a week later, I got an email from Gucci asking me if I would shoot their new store re-opening on Long Island, which had just gone through a major renovation. They sent me some sample images from previous store shoots which they liked, and all the images had a Lightroom HDR/Photomatix quality to them. I figured if natural light was what they were looking for, I would give them that look, but much better.
Being that the lighting in the store was so important to them, it was essential that my images portrayed a very natural feel. I knew this was the perfect shoot to try out my new portable v-flat. The store was filled with amazing details and colors so, I needed to utilize a flash to get the colors a bit more accurate and details a bit sharper. For each image, I shot multiple exposures, using natural light, to expose for different parts of the image where there were differences in the light. When I was sure I got each section of the image shot properly using natural light, I shot a few images (depending on the size and shape of the individual room) with my flash (I use Flashpoint XPLOR 600’s) bounced into the v-flat, to give a nice soft all around light.
For post-production, I composited all my natural light exposures to make sure everything throughout the frame was exposed properly. I then took my flash shots, and masked in some areas of the image to get a more detail in the actual products and make sure it helped remove any major color casts. The quality of the light I got out of the bounced flash into the v-flat was perfect. It had a nice spread and just enough shadow to leave it looking natural.
This was an incredible first experience with the portable v-flat. The portability makes it an incredible solution for an on-location photographer. Additionally, the price makes it extremely hard for someone to justify building it on their own. I am very pleased with the images and the client loved them. They already booked me for another shoot, and I can’t wait to bring it out again for them.
Please visit V-Flat World if you are interested in fining out about their products or purchasing a V-Flat.
Nice shots Brian. I have used this set-up with 4’x8′ foam core for portraits in the studio for a nice soft light and even added diffusion material as well. I never thought about using it for architecture or real estate. The portability makes it easier for location work.
How are these better/compare to using a soft box or umbrella?
Hey Mike, I wouldn’t say better or worse, slightly different. The v-flat gives me a bigger light source to bounce off then an umbrella so a nicer spread of light and a bit softer. I personally like an umbrella better then a soft box for this type of work and I’ve tried both but there is no right answer!! Try different options and see what works for you!!
It seems to me the big advantage would be that you can shoot in a tighter space, as you don’t have to deal with the footprint of a soft box and light stand–especially a larger soft box . I have never done this but in a tight space it seems like a really good idea.
Nice work Brian. I love using V-flats as well. The concept is very similar to using an STU, but in my opinion the V-flat produce softer/bigger light with fewer specular highlights. Also, the V-flat tucks in better and is directional much like barn doors in the studio. The V-flat is yet another great lighting solution for an interiors photographer. I made a couple folding/portable V-flats after listening to the interview with Aaron Kraft and they attend every shoot and make an appearance quite frequently.
Hi Brian, exccelent photo’s. Do you move the vflat and light around in the same shot to highlight different parts of the room?