Unboxing Vflat x Karl Taylor Light Cone - Emailing Customer Support - plus a test shot
I never thought I'd find myself buying the Light Cone. Designed by Karl Taylor and VFlat, they might look like dog cones, but these tools are made to diffuse light properly and help with reflections. They're primarily for shooting top-down or flat lays, but you can also get creative and use them for different angles and effects. As creatives, we often use tools outside their intended purpose, so challenge accepted!
The Purchase and Unboxing Experience
Like many of you, I tend to avoid buying new equipment unless absolutely necessary. I'm stubborn and resourceful, especially when it comes to dealing with reflective products. However, after receiving numerous questions about the Light Cone, I decided it was time to give it a try.
As I unboxed the package, I noticed marks on the large cone and stopped the process to fill out a support ticket. A quick shout-out to their customer support team—they made the replacement process pain-free.
Finally, the Full Unboxing
Fast forward to the replacement arriving. It looked perfect, and I was keen to give it a test run. I'll be using these cones to shoot some reflective earrings, which I know from experience can be tricky.
Testing the Light Cone with Reflective Earrings
These cones are designed for flatlays, but I'm stubborn and wanted to test them at an angle. I created a makeshift contraption to balance the Light Cone at an angle and took a shot. It's kind of funny that my first use of this tool wasn't exactly as intended, but that's just how it goes.
Sometimes, buying new equipment can feel like admitting defeat, like you're "cheesing" a mechanic in a video game. There's a lot of ego in photography, and it's crucial to check that ego to keep growing and learning. Struggling unnecessarily isn't a badge of honor.
Setting Up the Shot
After getting everything set up, I took a quick test shot before adding the cone. I used clips to balance the cone at an angle over the reflective earrings and took another shot. The results? Pretty cool. You can definitely use the Light Cone at an angle, which was a big question I had, and I know others probably had too.
Results and Final Thoughts
The Light Cone's primary purpose is for shooting flatlays or slight angles. However, my experiment with shooting at an angle was a success. Using clips to balance it worked well, though in hindsight, a smaller setup might have sufficed.
Key Takeaways:
The Light Cone is versatile and can be used beyond its primary flatlay purpose.
Customer support is excellent—quick and hassle-free resolutions.
Don't let ego get in the way of using tools that make your job easier.
That wraps up this unboxing and initial testing of the Light Cone. I hope you found this helpful. Happy shooting, and I'll see you in the next post!
