Light box / tent experience, anyone?

[ThePlaidPineconeCo]

I've finally had it with my quasi-white/greyish background and am determined to make my own light box'/tent tomorrow. I read instructions on how to make one last night, but was hoping to hear from people on Etsy who've had success with them.

My concern is size. Unfortunately I don't sell small jewelry; I have vintage pieces of all shapes and sizes. Nothing terribly large, but up to about 1 foot tall. Does anyone have any suggestions on what an appropriate size would be for a light box? And as far as the actual lighting it concerned, I read that an overhead light shining down into the box with a daylight-type bulb is best. Is this true?

Thank you all. :)

[Former_Member]

Hi Jaime,

This blog helped me a lot. I made mine over the weekend and am now testing out different background and lighting set ups. Tons of fun and super easy so far...

http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/07/how-to-diy-10-macro-photo-studio.html

Good luck!

Holly

[Former_Member]

have you considered getting a large roll of white paper? my dad created this setup with PVC pipe so that he can adjust the height of the roll for different things and uses at least 3 lights - one on each side and one up top.

it seems like it might be pretty easy if you have big items that won't fit in a box!

[ThePlaidPineconeCo]

What kind of light bulbs are you all using?

[TheSilverFindings]

I use day light bulbs. One on each side shining in. My lightbox stands over a foot tall. I use tissue paper to "filter/soften" the light. I have my bulbs in desk lamps with adjustable necks so i can position the lights exactly where I want them to shine. I then edit my pictures after taking them by adjusting the exposure. I watched a youtube tutorial on how to make the lightbox. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--wO67tpj8I

[MyDistinctDesigns]

I think Ott light daylight bulbs are good.

[ThePlaidPineconeCo]

Thank you for your thoughts.

I've heard of using white poster board, tissue paper, or muslin fabric. I'm not sure which is the best?

[Former_Member]

I'm wondering this too (though I am also looking for a photo set up on a larger scale now that I'm selling vtg clothing! Can't fit myself into a light box, lol)

I've tried different kinds of light bulbs, but they are always too yellow or too blue. The daylight bulbs I've tried just looked too artificial and yellow to me. Wish I could get them to do for me what they do for others!

[Former_Member]

RE material, I would use poster board. For my smaller objects, I use a set up that has a piece of poster board on the bottom and two pieces of foam board that form a right angle for the background. For the clothing, I model them in front of a white muslin bed sheet. In my opinion, you can tell a huge difference because the light doesn't bounce off the muslin as well as the post/foam board.

Example:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/94499792/retro-mugs-set-of-5-w-horizontal-stripes

vs.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/94479873/vintage-wiggle-dress-black-w-ruffles?ref=v1_other_2

The background in the second listing is dull. Wish I could find a poster board big enough to cover the wall, lol.

EDIT: Looking at them side by side like this, I guess it's not that different. But the editing process for the muslin backdrop is tiring because I have to smooth most of it manually because I don't want it to have that linen texture in the final photo.

Ugh. I wish vinyl backdrops were cheaper!

[OneUrbanTribe]

Feel free to check out my shop. I am updating all my photos with new pictures taken in my light tent. All the ones with the wood backgrounds are light tent photos.

What I did was cut the top and two opposite sides out of a cardboard box (leaving a little border) and used white trash bags as light diffusers. It is super cheap and works GREAT. I use day light bulbs on the top and both sides, for a total of 3 light sources. Using 3 lights keeps you from getting deep shadows.

You can line the bottom and back with any background you choose. White poster board is classic, though I like my wood.

[ThePlaidPineconeCo]

Thanks, Dani - yes I see what you mean. The mug photo looks ah-mazing. The dress photo is still good but when side-by-side with the mug one, I do see the difference.