Recently, I had the chance to use the V-Flat Duo Boards for a few different projects. I’ve used them for food photography, in the studio, in my kitchen, and have even put some wedding details on top of them to mimic what I really do for a living.
Now, if you’re not familiar with Duo Boards yet, and haven’t seen all the sneak peeks that I’ve let out on AdoramaTV and on my YouTube Channel, here’s the deal. They’re double-sided flat boards meant for product-type photography (food, still-life, etc.) so you have a perfectly beautiful, and potentially a variety of, replica surfaces to photograph on. They also come with attachments to be able to convert the flat lay board into an L-shape scene with a “floor and wall”, if you will. There are a ton of different surface options to choose from like wood, marble, and subway tile. Plus there are a lot of different colors. And of course, each is double sided so you always get two for the price of one.
V-Flat World Duo Boards (Starting at )
They come in both a square aspect ratio or 16×9. I personally prefer the horizontal because it lets me get better shots for things like video, where I do have a longer aspect ratio or want more surface area to work with.
My experience with the V-Flat World Duo Boards has been phenomenal. I’ve worked with a number of flat lay products in the past; everything from paper I’ve picked up in stationary stores, to replica surface intended products. Here are some of the things that I’ve found different about Duo Boards versus what I’ve used in the past.
How V-Flat Duo Boards stand out:
First thing that’s noticeable is that these are definitely not quite portable, which does make them ideal for studio use. But don’t worry, they aren’t heavy. While they don’t fold or roll up, they aren’t difficult to bring on location and you can take them along with you anywhere. But the weight and size are also nice features about these boards. Not folding up or rolling up means you never have to deal with creasing or curling up edges. They are perfectly flat as flat lay should be.
Color quality:
I was thoroughly impressed with the way these show up on camera. The color quality is remarkable. It looks textured and it’s not shiny. It actually has a very fine balance between a little bit of protective coating. It’s just enough so that if you do spill something on it you can easily wipe it off. It’s easy to clean, but not super shiny that you’re fighting with reflections. Some of my favorites are definitely the wood patterns that feel like they have a lovely rustic, textured quality to them. They all come out so rich on camera.
Nowadays with Instagram and social media, I see flat lays everywhere. They create beautifully consistent visuals for food bloggers, product photographers, or Instagrammers looking to promote product. The best part is that it’s up to you how to use these Duo Boards — you can do whatever you’d like with them.
They do come with a nice soft cloth so that when you place the board down on a surface, you’re not going to scratch the bottom (the other usable surface) of the board. It’s keeps the other side perfectly safe.
I had a great time using these V-Flat World Duo Boards. In fact, I’ve already got some in my studio downstairs and can’t wait to use them. Take a look at this video here to see them in action:
Shop the entire line of V-Flat World Duo Boards, available now at Adorama.
Feature photo by Vanessa Joy
