light box tips

[Former_Member]

I'm making my own light box today and I'm just looking for tips. I could use some camera setting tips as well as light box set up tips if you have any. I'm going to try and use it with just sunny day natural light if I can but I also got 2 clip on lamps with 60W daylight bulbs to use if I need them.

[Former_Member]

I just found this demo on how to make a very simple and inexpensive light box.

http://ohsheglows.com/2011/01/26/how-to-make-a-light-box/

[Former_Member]

Oh cool. I actually made mine yesterday just trying to gather some tips on the best way to use it, light it, stage it and any camera settings I should mess with.

[WindseedVintage]

This is one from this very team (check out all the links under About This Team - they are wonderfully helpful):

Light Boxes:
http://www.etsy.com/teams/7435/diy-product-photography-how-to­-hacks/discuss/6836238/page/2

[EdenWeddingStudio]

I have had a lightbox for years but just learned how to use it properly. First you need to position your lights properly. There's probably different ways to do this but to the right and left of your lightbox facing each other works for me. Also use 100 w equivalent cfl daylight bulbs. I found a pack of four at HD for $5.

[Former_Member]

I made a lightbox last night to take some test shots of the items I'm getting ready for my shop before the grand opening. It didn't turn out as amazing as I was expecting. Here's a list of some issues I ran into and some things you should avoid (they might be obvious to other people.....)

make sure your poster board is seamless! Don't do what I did and use 2 separate pieces of poster board. You can totally see the seam=looks bad.

make sure it's big enough for your items. I used an 18x18 box but that didn't allow me for enough room to take any shots except super up close ones. With wider shots the sides of my box were showing. = [

the lighting was funny. I should have turned off the lights in the room I was shooting in. I didn't try this, but I think part of the issue was that ALL the lights were on, plus my husband was watching TV.

Since It's friday, and I have all weekend to practice different shots I'm going to try adjusting the lighting, and redo the poster board (making sure its in 1 solid piece for seamless backgrounds)

= [ wish me luck......

good luck to you too with your lightbox!

[Former_Member]

Thanks! So far I think it's working out ok but I haven't used posterboard for anything. What are you using it for?