How to Create Soft and Hard Light Using V-Flats

Photographer Daniel Norton knows you don’t need fancy, overpriced modifiers to get amazing lighting. All you need? A single strobe and a couple of V-Flats. In his New York studio, Daniel demonstrates that V-Flats are more than just reflectors. With some creative positioning, he transforms the setup into two completely different lighting styles – soft and glowing or hard and dramatic.

If you think great lighting requires expensive modifiers, this demonstration will change your mind. Whether you want soft, dreamy light or something crisp and dramatic, here's how you can shape light like a pro using V-Flats.

Creating Soft Light: Turning a V-Flat into a Giant Glow Machine

First up, Daniel sets his Profoto B10 strobe with an OCF Magnum Reflector. But instead of pointing the light at model Erica, he bounces it off a big white V-Flat. When you hit a large white surface with light, it spreads out and creates that beautiful, soft glow that flatters everyone.

"Now, if I put the head right up against the V-Flat, it's going to make a small source. The more of the V-Flat I can cover with light, the softer and better it gets," Daniel explains.

So, he pulls the strobe back to light more of the V-Flat, and just like that, the whole thing becomes a massive, diffused light source. The result? Soft shadows, even lighting, and a natural look that works for everything from beauty shots to clean commercial portraits.

Then, he moves around the set, showing how a simple shift in angle can totally change the look. "The more her face is towards the light, the flatter it’ll be. But if we move here... BAM! More drama, even with soft light!"

Want Hard Light Drama? Flip the Script and Use V-Flats as a Gobo

Now for the fun part – hard light. Instead of bouncing the light, Daniel blocks it. He grabs two V-Flats and uses them like a gobo to narrow and direct the light. This instantly creates a slice of light with crisp shadows and high contrast that scream fashion and editorial photography.

"You might be saying—I can feel the fingers on the keyboards typing—why don’t you just use a strip box?" Daniel laughs. "Because it’s not the same! A strip box softens the light. This? This is hard, punchy light with beautiful edges."

He plays around with positioning, and suddenly, the shot goes from soft and glowy to bold and moody. Shadows carve out the face, the background gets darker, and the whole thing looks like it belongs in a high-end magazine.