The number of times I’ve been called to a restaurant, hotel, or food manufacturer to photograph food on location, with only tired-looking tables or bar tops to work with, I can’t count on two hands. Or fresh white linen with nasty big creases. I think that’s even worse. Luckily, V-Flat World has the answer with DuoBoards.
I’m going to be honest, I’ve been dubious about plastic boards with a natural surface printed on them. How does that look real? I’ve always made my own, and that works well inside my studio, but that concrete-effect surface I made is actually real concrete, so it’s too heavy to lug around to a location shoot.
DuoBoards sent me three designs to try out. Each board measures 30x40 inches and is double-sided, giving you a choice of two surface types or colors. That’s a nice touch. The boards are sturdy, yet very light. There is also an option to buy a smaller version at 24x24 inches.
You get a choice of two looks or colors from one DuoBoard.
With a DuoBoard, you get a pair of Duo Legs, so you can stand one board up as a “wall,” and another as a “floor,” with a seamless finish. This allows you to create a variety of environments. Another nice touch.
There are 26 versions offering 52 design/color options, covering every kind of finish, including: stone, marble, plaster, concrete, even wood and tile. I had the French Clay/Terracotta Blush, Iced Concrete/Midnight Cement, and Ocean Slate/Black Slate. I found myself using the French Clay/Terracotta Blush the most for shooting food and still life, and used the concrete version a lot for shooting products I’m reviewing here on Fstoppers, like cameras, mics, etc. It’s a nice sophisticated look. The black slate was useful as a dark background, but was my least favorite to use as a flat lay surface.
One board on a table at home and you have an instant studio. Quick and easy to set up, I found them very useful.
One issue I’ve always had with homemade boards is keeping them clean. Oil from food, once on many of my surfaces, creates marks that don’t come out. With DuoBoards, food cleans off without fuss. That’s convenient.
Two DuoBoards, and you can create endless environments. The fit together seemlessly with Duo Legs that come with them.
What I Like
The sizes available are just right for most tabletop objects I would want to shoot
They’re lightweight, yet sturdy
Getting two options per board is great
High-definition printing
Washable
What I Dislike
Nothing really, other than you do have to watch where you place your lighting sometimes, to avoid reflections. But then, you have to do that in most shooting situations anyway.
I tried all sorts of lighting, and the boards worked really well, with no nasty reflections. And oily spills clean up with ease.
Conclusion
If you’re looking at building a home studio for shooting small tabletop objects like food or products, DuoBoards are a great solution. Because they’re light and easy to set up, they’re perfect for someone who doesn’t have a permanent studio space and wants to occasionally set up a shoot on their kitchen table.
24x24-inch DuoBoards retail at $74.95, and the 30x40-inch versions retail at $119.95.
Simon is a professional photographer and video producer, with over 35 years experience. He spends his time between Canada and the UK. He has worked for major brands, organizations and publications; shooting travel, tourism, food, and lifestyle. For fun he enjoys black and white photography, with a penchant for street and landscapes.
