Laws of Light: Shaping Light with Flags

Learn how to shape, modify, and control light with flags, nets, and silks. Perfect for portrait and studio photography!
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GEAR USED:
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Matthews Single Net: bhpho.to/2HIS4Pc // amzn.to/2H7e2ON
Matthews Double Net: bhpho.to/2HENgdv // amzn.to/2H6T0zM
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Jay P. Morgan has been working as a Commercial Photographer and Film Director in the Los Angeles area for more than 20 years developing an impressive list of clients from Paramount to McDonald's. Jay P.'s experience with elaborate set design and extensive lighting are key to the success of his illustrative work.
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[@TheSlantedLens]

Check out our Laws of Light playlist for more awesomeness: bit.ly/2HeQkfC Post a question and we might answer it on our next live Q&A ;)

[@888marin888]

not that much flag and stuff tuts on youtube, so it's very welcome ! Thanx ^^

[@TheSlantedLens]

Thanks Ikola! We try...really hard 😂

[@sleepingdogpro]

Better than the breakdown I got in film classes. Thanks guys!

[@TheSlantedLens]

Thanks for checking us out Christen!

[@ericsesame6321]

What other channels lack but yours doesn't are the different camera angles where we can actually see exactly HOW you position your equipment. Thank you!

[@TheSlantedLens]

You are very welcome. Thanks for watching!

[@CinemaTeacher]

Great video, Jay P. Morgan! You out-did yourself this time! One little detail worth mentioning, a double net (red) slows down light by 1 stop and a single net (green) a half stop. The video states otherwise. Great videos, Jay P., keep 'em coming!

[@filmprofessorstallings]

Hi Roberto, I just made the same comment. I wish I could show this to my class otherwise.

[@NatesEscape]

Thank you for everything you've taught me about lighting! You're a very good teacher

[@caiquecontri7616]

The amount of useful information I'm getting from this channel is amazing. Actual information, he teaches you how to think, peached you to observe. Can't believe it's free.. I've been keeping app with youtube tutorials for years trying to hone my skills and this is the kind of material you would pay for and it's well worth it. I wish i could work for this guy in LA for a couple months so i could learn as much as possible, would do it for free even. Hey Jay, hire me when this is all blown over! hahaha HUGE thanks for this channel

[@TheSlantedLens]

Thanks for your nice comments. Send us you resume and contact info!

[@anthonyscott16]

Excellent lesson JP. Thank you for doing this.

[@TheSlantedLens]

Thanks, Anthony. Hope you learned a lot! Check out our other laws of light videos ;) bit.ly/2HeQkfC

[@rickbivona]

Wow ! Such great information !! Thanks so much !

[@tubeman1983]

That was really good info! Thanks! Beautiful model too, all the more enjoyable ❤️

[@TheSlantedLens]

Glad you enjoyed it! Hope you learned some things you can apply.

[@AVUltra]

Some of the best content out there. -S

[@TheSlantedLens]

That's great to hear! It keeps us going!

[@joshizposh1995]

This guy is an amazingly engaging teacher wow

[@curtisjudd]

Nice work Jay P!

[@TheSlantedLens]

Hey! Thank, Curtis!! Love all the things you're doing on your channel ❤️

[@tutapine]

Excellent Video. Thanks from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

[@Phantom97122]

I was looking for this tuto for month !! THANK YOUU

[@TheSlantedLens]

Great that you found it! Make sure you subscribe to our channel to get the newest videos :)

[@JensChrStrandos]

Great tutorial!

[@bernierao]

Your videos are really informative, thank you!

[@TheSlantedLens]

We try to put out good content now and then ;)

[@risbill1]

Modeling lamps are your friend when using flags and strobes. Great information and will be very useful when we do our big film noir shoot this summer.

[@TheSlantedLens]

hey raymond, thanks for checking out our video. be sure to watch some of our other laws of light!

[@gauravbehl4058]

Dear Sir, you are doing excellent work teaching and motivated for free thank you so much

[@EZriideRrR]

man i just started working in the film industry as a lighting tech and this channel has really saved my ass on many occasions.

[@TheSlantedLens]

glad we can come in clutch for you

[@jessestarks3128]

Awesome information; thanks for sharing!

[@TheSlantedLens]

Your welcome, Jesse! Thanks for checking out our channel!

[@sarahzalan7072]

Great video! I had no idea flags even existed. Another item for my ‘must have’ list.

[@TheSlantedLens]

Hey, Sarah! Good to hear this was informative for you! You can do soooo many cool things with flags. Here's a playlist of the other laws of light videos you might enjoy: bit.ly/2HeQkfC

[@kevinkino400]

Great demo, thank you for this.

[@TheSlantedLens]

Glad you liked it! Thanks for watching!

[@markhardycreative]

You sir are a great teacher

[@ResoluteMedia]

Wow! This was so good!!!!

[@TheSlantedLens]

Great to hear. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@RoamerRhythms]

Amazing Video!

[@ginotarabotto]

This was an awesome tutorial. Thank you.

[@TheSlantedLens]

You're very welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@robertvoy]

My notes from this awesome video: - Flags are used to shape light by cutting it off completely (solid), cutting one or two stops of light (net), feathering the light off from a person or background (feathered edge), or changing the quality of the light by softening it and reducing the amount of light (silk). - Flags come in different sizes, and the size you use will depend on how much light you want to cut off. - Flags can be used to take the spill light off of the camera, to create a vignette, or to create interesting patterns of light on the background. - Flags closer to the light source and further away from the subject/background produce softer edges on the shadows. Am I missing anything?

[@TheSlantedLens]

I'm impressed. You're a good student! Keep on clickin!

[@noheababe895]

This was awesome!!!

[@TheSlantedLens]

Glad you liked it. Thanks for watching!

[@ankitmehrotraindia]

You, sir, are an amazing teacher!

[@TheSlantedLens]

Glad you think so! Thanks for the compliment!

[@quangnguyen6524]

This was really an eye opener, gj.

[@TheSlantedLens]

Good to hear. Have fun with your photography!

[@tubeman1983]

Awesome content as always!!! Thanks :)

[@TheSlantedLens]

My pleasure! Appreciate your support!

[@johnborys7918]

Great Job!! many thanks!

[@TheSlantedLens]

You are very welcome. Thanks for watching!

[@ginotarabotto]

Your videos are awesome!

[@TheSlantedLens]

Thank you. Glad you like them!

[@DecemberSounds]

Thank you for this information!

[@TheSlantedLens]

You're welcome! :) Thanks for tuning in!

[@ZWAmundson]

Another favorite :)

[@TheSlantedLens]

Thanks, Zach for checking us out!

[@SandraChavezJordan]

Great video and great explication! so useful, thanks a lot!👍

[@TheSlantedLens]

You are very welcome. Thanks for your comment!

[@curiousladyinla]

Best video so far I found on “flags”

[@TheSlantedLens]

Great to hear. Thanks for watching!

[@antdx316]

thx, wow. This is the reason why grips exist. Creating attitude and emotion with light control.

[@TheSlantedLens]

Yep, grips are truly valuable on set!

[@hamptonwooster]

Excellent video!

[@TheSlantedLens]

Thank you very much! You might enjoy the other videos in our "Laws of Light" series.

[@marydavis8012]

Would love to see how you would use flags with softboxes instead of a hard light source.

[@TheSlantedLens]

yeah that would be a cool thing haha

[@nicklaytonUK]

So useful - thanks

[@TheSlantedLens]

You're welcome! Check out our laws of lights videos: kzbin.info/www/bejne/epCyZ6OYiZyCrNk

[@TheAngieZM]

Actually, a single net cuts half-stop of light. A double net cuts one stop. :) Same with scrims.

[@andreak4280]

💪🏼💪🏼🌟🌟🌟 good stuff - TY!! 🙏🏼

[@TheSlantedLens]

You are so welcome. Thanks for watching!

[@BrandonBurk]

Thanks for this video.

[@TheSlantedLens]

You are very welcome. Thanks for watching!

[@evy.agency4720]

Watching Slanted Lens stuff makes me feel like Johnny 5 in Short Circuit. "Input"

[@BrianHalePhoto]

YES! EXACTLY! "Am I ever going to use this? Sadly, probably no but i'm super fascinated regardless"

[@jesusangeleditor]

Great!!!

[@AdrianProleiko]

It should be noted that singles cut half a stop of light and doubles cut one full stop, not one and two stops as mentioned in the video.

[@chrisdryer]

I think I got a similar flag kit... thanks for telling me how to use it!... now I need more C-stands...

[@TheSlantedLens]

Don't forget the sandbags! Can never have too many of those ;)

[@johnrasmussen3752]

wondered what the heck they were. Mentioned a lot in youtubes .. but just mentioned as if i had a clue :) Thanks ..

[@TheSlantedLens]

Glad this video was helpful to you, John!

[@LAFD54]

Hello! Great videos. What is your opinion on 2 vs 4 door barn doors? Why would you use one vs the other? Thanks!

[@sawadogovalentin]

J P Morgan sounds like a Bank to me !hahaha! Thanks Sir for the great Work !!

[@TheSlantedLens]

JP Morgan is a bank. But I'm Jay P Morgan.

[@jlsbranding8569]

Just learned something major.

[@nayanjoshi7284]

GREAT VISUAL..

[@TheSlantedLens]

thanks! we try to shoot these lighting breakdowns in three different angles so you can see how it is we're doing them. have you checked out our other videos in this playlist?

[@devPunks]

5:20 - Second time on this channel I've seen dude use a C-Stand wrong. RIGHT HAND RULE! Last time had boomed load over split legs. STILL great video about shaping light. Just shared with our team.

[@TheSlantedLens]

You are correct. It is best to put the leg under the arm. But, if you see the floor then putting the leg under the arm cuts the useful boom down to about 6 inches because you see the leg in the shot. That makes it almost useless. That is when I put the legs on the angle of view of the camera and sandbag the bag leg. A flag does not weight enough for this to create a problem.

[@devPunks]

@@TheSlantedLens AGREED! It's just one of those things you make clear with people around you so we know when to break what convention. Like saying "I AM NOT A LAWYER" Before saying some hot legal jargon. :-)

[@gregorysargeant6305]

Your the best

[@TheSlantedLens]

you are the best.

[@conormurphy7058]

Brilliant

[@TheSlantedLens]

Glad you found it worthwhile!

[@ARTS-zj8zh]

Love.

[@TheSlantedLens]

Glad you liked it. You might like more of our laws of light videos: kzbin.info?search_query=laws+of+light

[@veselinvasilev9362]

Thanks!

[@TheSlantedLens]

No problem! Thank you for your support!

[@felipehenaovideo]

You are getting Hollywood!!!

[@TheSlantedLens]

Is that a good thing? I hope so.

[@felipehenaovideo]

Fantastic thing!!

[@blsureshbabu5159]

Super

[@monyyadav53]

Tbq Sir ❤😍

[@TheSlantedLens]

Thanks for watching and keep on clickin!

[@Ryan-Red]

What are the nets made out of ? What type of net if I wanted to do a diy?

[@DarcoSix]

Awesome I wish I was young so I could work for you

[@simulacrae]

That was good, but did you ever get your stapler back? ;p

[@TimurKaramov]

0:15 He failed to pronounce her name but she did not notice or he refused to make another double?

[@moonthink8288]

yeah, both first and last names too it seemed lol!

[@millerhawkins5145]

Dude you are hilarious

[@TheSlantedLens]

Thanks for appreciating my humor!

[@mrs_d3n1mx28]

Isn't a flag just the opposite of a relector? Thats how I always have thought of them. Flags are usually black and reflectors are usually white. Neither of them generate their own light, they just bounce or absorb the existing light from other sources. Am I on the right track?

[@TheSlantedLens]

yeah. they're both lighting modifiers. a reflector reflects light and bounces is back to the subject. a flag cuts, shapes or modifies the light source.

[@fotochuck]

Here's the Matthews Studio Equipment Textile pages www.msegrip.com/fabric-specifications/ Much of this can be bought from your local sewing supply store. Black or White Bobinett is the same fabric no mater where you buy it.

[@filifilms]

how would you do this type of lighting with a tracking shot where the camera and subject keep moving?

[@TheSlantedLens]

Your light is going to change unless the lights move along with the subject and camera.

[@TallTreesClub]

If a NET is angled, can it block more light than if it were just placed perpendicular to the light source?

[@TheSlantedLens]

you can try it out. most nets are flat. not sure if you would be damaging the net by bending it.

[@LunArtsFilm]

Yup, you cut more light, when the net isn’t perfectly perpendicular to the light

[@BelaMardia]

Can I use black painted foam sheets instead of flags ? Also how should I shape the light with only one profotob10 ?

[@TheSlantedLens]

Yes, you can use the foam boards instead of flags. For one light take a look at our one light videos: kzbin.infosearch?query=one%20light

[@BelaMardia]

@@TheSlantedLens couldn't find the video. Would be great if you could share a link to that video. I want to know the exact shaping with one light. The way you doing here with more than one lights. Thanks

[@BelaMardia]

@@TheSlantedLens thank you ! Could you pls tell me what kind of stands I can use except c stands ?

[@CamsCarsReviewsHow2s]

A single reduces 1/2 stop and a double 1 full stop. It is not a full single stop and full double stop like said in the video.

[@filmprofessorstallings]

Yep. And this video remains up with the incorrect info. I can't assign it to my class to watch because the info is wrong.

[@millerhawkins5145]

I love you

[@TheSlantedLens]

Glad you liked it. Thanks for watching!

[@BineetMohanty]

Hi , are constant lights only used with flags ? Can we not use strobes with flags ?

[@TheSlantedLens]

Yes, absolutely, you can use flags with strobes!

[@wolfe4410]

Is this a continous light source or somthing like a strobe

[@TheSlantedLens]

We used a continuous light source for this video. Aputure 300D: bhpho.to/2FHJgqS // amzn.to/2vpmpzG

[@visualsmugglers]

Random question, i noticed i've got some marks on my Red net, is there any way to remove it, cast a shadow on the subject. Thanks!

[@TheSlantedLens]

You can get them repaired. Check with grip places like American Grip or Matthew's or Norm's.

[@visualsmugglers]

@@TheSlantedLens Thank you so much! You truly are an amazing guy! Thank you!

[@arkahnz]

Once the light is blocked...it introduces a lot of noise in the shadows. What's the solution to this?

[@AnimeZone247]

it all depends. You can introduce more light so it wont fall in a certain ire, or go in post and use noise reduction. If nothing is in the shadows that supposed to be seen then dont worry about it. But if it is supposed to be seen then make it still look dark by adding lights at certain places. This question is tricky because it all depends on the situation

[@kubes_fpv]

Subscribed for "I don't know why I call it a clam flag....... Cuz I do!"

[@TheSlantedLens]

Awesome! Thanks for the sub!

[@TylerLeeKenyon]

I lol'd at 1:53

[@TheSlantedLens]

We try to be funny 😂 sometimes a joke lands

[@selamaltami4531]

need 10 people work on that set

[@thekaiser4333]

Scary..

[@nzpatm]

is there a flag/net kit available that anyone would recommend??

[@TheSlantedLens]

bhpho.to/2HNQgof this is a good kit if you have nothing. It's compact and portable. Not going to be as durable as some other options, but a good place to start!

[@LightSubscriber]

Matthews Road rags or Road Rage

[@willrevellet8651]

Like .

[@Mekchanoid]

Are you sure Kupo actually sell these flags? Their website only seems to sell the frames. Just asking because I could use a set of properly calibrated flags but they're not a popular accessory so not that easy to buy. Especially from major photo retailers here in the UK.

[@TheSlantedLens]

Yeah, unfortunately Kupo only makes frames. A lot of professionals use Matthews Studio Equipment.

[@fotochuck]

Try a Motion Picture Rental House. Most will sell what they rent.

[@wolfe4410]

Damn

[@alexgrytsenko85]

Isn't single net cuts half of a stop and double one stop?

[@TheSlantedLens]

Yes, that is correct. If I said differently in the video it was a mistake. Thanks for your question.

[@spina3820]

Isn't it that single reduces half stop and double one stop???

[@TheSlantedLens]

Yes, that is the case. Thanks for watching!

[@bruno_dias]

Well, good informative video but the silk, when compared with the net flag does not "changes quality of light". Well, first of all, what is "quality of light"? I thinkk the better terms should be more, less, change of color, etc...

[@ozlekosusturu]

It softens/diffuses the light vs a hard light, that's what quality of light means.

[@BariumCobaltNitrog3n]

What happened to the silky flag that changes the "quality" of light?

[@TheSlantedLens]

Are you talking about diffusion flags?

[@BariumCobaltNitrog3n]

@@TheSlantedLens Looks that way.

[@antdx316]

I dare all the girls to take cool whip pies to the face and put the video on youtube!!

[@TheSlantedLens]

That would be funny and entertaining!

[@AlexanderKalish]

Kseniya, dude, the name is Kseniya:DDD I guess she was too shy to correct you.

[@tycooper7780]

That net place a line (shadow) on her

[@TheSlantedLens]

Yes, those tone down the light and can be very useful!

[@branhasknowidea]

Uh. So this can be manufacturer-dependent. But right off the bat... A double cuts one stop (1.2) and a single cuts a half stop (0.6).

[@TheSlantedLens]

It does vary by manufacturer but that is basically right.

[@DariusFLX]

If this is being used to explain how to shape light to someone who doesn't know anything about shaping light, you need to slow down, use less gear simultaneously, and explain terms, e.g., butterfly. Plus you have a lot of things going on and you move them very quickly. You know your stuff, that's for sure. Unfortunately, I think this just explains your topic to people who already know what you're going to explain.

[@TheSlantedLens]

Thanks for the feedback and thanks for watching!

[@cjjusticemtenga4612]

#EyeOpener

[@vladimirvelazquez5219]

(8:35) Is way too fast, please slowdown. Still playing back. Confused. Overall, great video.

[@TheSlantedLens]

Yeah, I tend to talk fast. Hope you were able to understand it all.

[@makasii]

why do you call her Kyanna!?

[@TheSlantedLens]

Just a mistake. Thanks for watching!

[@amanbin]

Her name is Kseniya ..it's pronounced as Seniya..and I am not even russian..

[@AlexanderKalish]

Nope, It's pronounced as [Kseniya] just as it's being written.

[@nettyvoyager6336]

why does that woman look suicidal :P