Nicely done great presentation I usually refer to this kind of lighting as open shade, you can bump it up with a Silver reflective, it will place a catch light in the models eyes!
Thank you for doing and showing this Nathan Elson, open shade and V Flats can make great images! Funny about two decades ago in magazines many Photographers were shooting at Daylight Studios to get images like the ones you showed us here. One in particular that I remember was the Gianni Versace Ads with Madonna by Mario Testino.
Nathan, I've been watching your vids for a while, just wanted to say HI and that I enjoy the content you create. Love your charisma as well! Thanks and godspeed from Russia!
Honestly, I have 4 of them, and they are crazy versatile and super portable because of the way they break down, which makes taking them on location a breeze, so for me, they've been worth every penny.
Try making one. I did make a few for the studio. Ended up buying a box of 4x8 foam cores which was $800 something about 5 yrs ago. Then you need gafers tape, not cheap either. And it takes some time.
And there is absolutely zero photographic difference between those and basic 4x8 foam core that you can buy from your local art supply store (and support LOCAL BUSINESS IN THE PROCESS), and cut and tape and shape any way you want.
I appreciate all the work you put into your videos and have learned a lot. Love all the gear from Strobepro, I have pretty much switched to them for most everything. Somewhat unrelated question for you if you don't mind, I'm building my posing boxes out of 1/2 in plywood and to make them more useful I wanted to paint 3 sides white and 3 black so I can flip them around. I am also considering going with Thunder Grey paint instead of black as that's what I expect to shoot on more often as a backdrop, but my concerns are do you think 2 colours on one box would work, and if I go with grey instead of black would that be more or less versitle (especially if I shot on a black backdrop)?
Hi, thank you for your video and valuable knowledge that you share. I would like to ask you, where can I buy such a laptop table for the studio? I really like it.
I ended up hanging a studio background from my washing line in the garden and shooting during golden hour. Worked really and looks like it was shot in a studio!
This is a really good video. Maybe make a part two with a different location and using Photoshop or Luminar A.I. cut out feature that can change the background for you. Kind of like a virtual studio on the the go.
Always as interesting, delicate and straight to the point educative videos on photography which I LOVE, both content and form. Nathan, could you make a similar video for creating kind of black and white Low Key look portraits using mainly only natural light and a black background?
I'd ask a question the other way around - how to make indoor portraits that look like they were shot outside with some super soft natural light and bokehlicious bubbles in the background?
The vflats work well but warp terribly with any humidity. We learned the hard way when left in a garage for a few weeks and now they are almost unusable. You've been warned...
I have to disagree about the light being the same inside the garage as outside. Inside the garage, where she is standing, the sky is being blocked by the ceiling. The ambient light is being blocked by walls on either side of her. This is creating very DIRECTIONAL, but soft light on the subject. Outside, the light would still be soft, but the sky would create dark shadows on the eyes - racoon eyes - due to the direction of the light coming from above her, instead of in front of her. BTW, a garage would also work well to create this soft directional light, or renting a storage unit.
Aquí en España para poder ejercer un trabajo (autónomo) tienes que pagar 300 euros mensuales a Hacienda, más declaraciones de iva trimestrales. Sabes lo que tienes que facturar para tener una nave industrial, como la tuya, para que sea un estudio fotográfico? Es casi imposible.....
I make the "V-flats" by myself, just buy 4 pieces of white foam board size 1m x 1m, and a roll of Duct Tape at your local hardware store, tape them together in window style, paint one side black, and voila, V-flats for €10... 🍻
And a bed sheet is still a ton cheaper than a 5 in 1 reflector, and nothing is cheaper than all of it. Just because something is cheaper, that doesn't mean it compares.
Point of note, black doesn't absorb the light - the black is actually reflected in the skin. Don't believe me, try using different colors and show us what you get.
I mean, I see the point you are trying to make, but black absorbs light and color, it's not reflecting black. You can't compare black to any actual color because no other tone absorbs light, so the comparison you are making doesn't make any sense ;)
MOTHER________!!!
What that plant do to you?
haha
Great moments watching it ! Thank you for your advices! And great model too!
Glad you enjoyed it!
This is my second video I have watched on your channel. Thanks for the insight you are giving... looking forward to being a regular viewer! Thanks!
Welcome aboard!
Nicely done great presentation I usually refer to this kind of lighting as open shade, you can bump it up with a Silver reflective, it will place a catch light in the models eyes!
Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous all the way around! Thanks for sharing your knowledge & skills with us👍🏻
Thanks for taking the time to watch!
Beautiful work as usual Nate. And the model is gorgeous 😌👌🏾
Thanks Bud!
Love these images that you've so expertly curated & captured Nathan! Thanks for your content. Nic, AUSTRALIA
Thanks so much for sharing. Will definitely try this set up.
Hope you enjoy it!
Thank you for doing and showing this Nathan Elson, open shade and V Flats can make great images! Funny about two decades ago in magazines many Photographers were shooting at Daylight Studios to get images like the ones you showed us here. One in particular that I remember was the Gianni Versace Ads with Madonna by Mario Testino.
Ya it's a lighting setup that has been around for ages because it simply works.
Nathan, I've been watching your vids for a while, just wanted to say HI and that I enjoy the content you create. Love your charisma as well! Thanks and godspeed from Russia!
Awesome, thank you!
Love your work and you make your videos fun while educational
Thank you kindly! Glad you enjoy them 😊
Oh this is perfect. Thank you
Glad you like it!
Great shots and work
Many thanks!
Nice one, I use to use this lighting setting up for a lot of test shoots back in the day... Never fails for soft lighting..
Ya it’s a lighting setup every portrait photographer should have in their arsenal for sure.
$209 for a vflat is insane, the markup on those is ridiculous.
Honestly, I have 4 of them, and they are crazy versatile and super portable because of the way they break down, which makes taking them on location a breeze, so for me, they've been worth every penny.
And that's for just one of them!
Try making one. I did make a few for the studio. Ended up buying a box of 4x8 foam cores which was $800 something about 5 yrs ago. Then you need gafers tape, not cheap either. And it takes some time.
You can also use bigger 5in1 reflectors 👍
And there is absolutely zero photographic difference between those and basic 4x8 foam core that you can buy from your local art supply store (and support LOCAL BUSINESS IN THE PROCESS), and cut and tape and shape any way you want.
I appreciate all the work you put into your videos and have learned a lot. Love all the gear from Strobepro, I have pretty much switched to them for most everything. Somewhat unrelated question for you if you don't mind, I'm building my posing boxes out of 1/2 in plywood and to make them more useful I wanted to paint 3 sides white and 3 black so I can flip them around. I am also considering going with Thunder Grey paint instead of black as that's what I expect to shoot on more often as a backdrop, but my concerns are do you think 2 colours on one box would work, and if I go with grey instead of black would that be more or less versitle (especially if I shot on a black backdrop)?
Hi, thank you for your video and valuable knowledge that you share. I would like to ask you, where can I buy such a laptop table for the studio? I really like it.
I ended up hanging a studio background from my washing line in the garden and shooting during golden hour. Worked really and looks like it was shot in a studio!
Nice!
Beautiful shots Nathan! I've just moved into a new studio which benefits from a ton of natural light so I'll need to try some of these techniques out!
Nice! Share some images when you’ve had a chance to try it out!
So dope!!
Thanks buddy!
This is a really good video. Maybe make a part two with a different location and using Photoshop or Luminar A.I. cut out feature that can change the background for you. Kind of like a virtual studio on the the go.
Noted
Always as interesting, delicate and straight to the point educative videos on photography which I LOVE, both content and form. Nathan, could you make a similar video for creating kind of black and white Low Key look portraits using mainly only natural light and a black background?
I’m sure I can make that happen.
@@NathanElson Nathan, thank you so muvh in advance, it would be GREAT :-)
Have you tested the Z8 yet or do you think there isn't much benefit for your work with the extra MP and AF?
I’ll be getting one, just have to wait a bit to put some more $$& in the account. Two kids in hockey takes a toll on my finances 😉
@@NathanElson ha yeah I forget hockey is huge up north and a lot more expensive than say youth baseball
🔥🔥🔥
👊🏻
I'd ask a question the other way around - how to make indoor portraits that look like they were shot outside with some super soft natural light and bokehlicious bubbles in the background?
Challenge accepted.
what aperture did you use for the close up portraits?
All of the images were shot at f/4 and with either a 50mm or 85mm
which paper backdrop stands are you using on this video?
I'm using 2 c-stands and the manfrotto background pole.
@@NathanElson thank you.
The vflats work well but warp terribly with any humidity. We learned the hard way when left in a garage for a few weeks and now they are almost unusable. You've been warned...
Good to know! I'm in a pretty dry climate here in Calgary, but I've also only ever stored them in a studio or basement.
I have to disagree about the light being the same inside the garage as outside. Inside the garage, where she is standing, the sky is being blocked by the ceiling. The ambient light is being blocked by walls on either side of her. This is creating very DIRECTIONAL, but soft light on the subject. Outside, the light would still be soft, but the sky would create dark shadows on the eyes - racoon eyes - due to the direction of the light coming from above her, instead of in front of her.
BTW, a garage would also work well to create this soft directional light, or renting a storage unit.
Large piece of Duvetyne on the ground would have done the trick too 👍🏾
A million ways to skin a cat 😉
Aquí en España para poder ejercer un trabajo (autónomo) tienes que pagar 300 euros mensuales a Hacienda, más declaraciones de iva trimestrales. Sabes lo que tienes que facturar para tener una nave industrial, como la tuya, para que sea un estudio fotográfico? Es casi imposible.....
I make the "V-flats" by myself, just buy 4 pieces of white foam board size 1m x 1m, and a roll of Duct Tape at your local hardware store, tape them together in window style, paint one side black, and voila, V-flats for €10... 🍻
Nothing wrong with a little DIY.
A 5 in 1 reflector is still a ton cheaper than any V- flat.
And a bed sheet is still a ton cheaper than a 5 in 1 reflector, and nothing is cheaper than all of it. Just because something is cheaper, that doesn't mean it compares.
The long tube light to your right is not needed. Try another video w/o it and see the difference. ✌🏼
I don't use this set anymore so... I can't ;)
Point of note, black doesn't absorb the light - the black is actually reflected in the skin. Don't believe me, try using different colors and show us what you get.
I mean, I see the point you are trying to make, but black absorbs light and color, it's not reflecting black. You can't compare black to any actual color because no other tone absorbs light, so the comparison you are making doesn't make any sense ;)