Lightbox help

[Former_Member]

Hi there, I have found a few tutorials on how to build a light box online and have built myself a fairly usable one, the problem I am having is that my lightbulb gives off a "yellow-ish" or warm light, and my pictures aren't pleasing to me, I am wondering what others use for bulbs, to make the light more "white" any idea would be appreciated. I have to find away to take better pictures other than waiting for the sun to come out because I live in a place where it is more often then not over cast or foggy..

[zyzanna]

What type of bulbs do you have? Perhaps try halogen ones or fluorescent (I have the latter and it's a pretty cold light).

Otherwise, change white balance on your camera!

[Former_Member]

Hi Angie. I was wondering the same thing. I am a photographer on a small budget. Have you tried using the brighter lightbulbs. I haven't built a lightbox yet. I am going to work on that this weekend. I don't have the answer but I have the same question. :-) Have a good day!

[Former_Member]

Thanks Zyzanna, I will try them , perhaps those really bright LED lights will work as well, any thoughts?
Natalie, my budget is reall small, and I will find the answer LOL when I do I will make sure to convo you to let you know too :)

[Former_Member]

Look for bulbs listed as "daylight" bulbs. You will also need to adjust your camera's white balance setting for the different types of bulbs. Experiment with the different white balance settings until you get one that gives you a good true-to-life color. If your white balance is set properly for the kind of light you are using, you shouldn't see much of a yellow or blue cast.

Also, be sure to turn off any competeing lights in the room. No other overhead or lamps should be on unless they have exactly the same bulbs and your lightbox lamps!

[threestonebirds]

Seconding Michelle's information - bulbs that have "daylight" on their packaging will get you the kind of clear, white light you're looking for and adjusting the white balance on your camera will help you avoid the wrong temperature.

[Former_Member]

Thanks i will try the daylight bulbs and if i ever figure out how to adjust my camera, i will adjust the setting..will let you know how it works out!

[ShopDeliciousThreads]

I was having the same trouble. I finally tried using the full spectrum 23W CFLs (100W for a regular bulb) from our living room lamps, and it made a huge difference. Full spectrum bulbs combine all colors of light to give off white. You need lots of white light.

[TheSilverFindings]

I had that problem until I switched to daylight bulbs. You can change your settings on your camera as well to help bring out the true colors of your items. Finally, don't forget the photo editing step just before listing. My computer has factory installed photo editing software (I have windows 7 but i doubt it is any different than other windows versions) and you can play with the "temperature" on your photos in order to make them less yellow. Some of my pictures were actually taken with the regular lightbulb but due to messing with temperature and brightness of my photos, they actually don't look like they were taken using a regular lightbulb.
The daylight bulbs are not super expensive and I purchased mine at Walmart, so they are easy to find, by the way.
Hope this helps

[spacefem]

Full spectrum is a must!

You can get them as incandescent or CFLs but be careful if you get CFLs, I recently learned the hard way that GE "reveal" CFLs are not full spectrum, hey don't match my special-ordered bulbs at all :(

[Former_Member]

I have a lightbox made of foam board and have two 'daylight' bulbs attached above to try and provide enough light. I buy them at Home Depot (when they go on sale you can get them pretty cheap).
When playing with camera settings, try out a few pics with different settings. A friend of mine walked me thru my manual (its just a point and shoot) and I ended up changing the, ummm, exposure to a higher setting, but not the whiteness setting. LOL. Exposure on my camera is a P and I am able to adjust it under the Program setting of my camera (also looks like a giant P).
Good luck!!

[MalibuJewel]

I've been using a Verilux Natural Spectrum desk lamp which is supposed to give natural balanced daylight, but am unsure if White Balance on my camera should be set to Incandescent, Fluorescent, Direct Sunlight, etc. I have been using a trial and error approach with mixed results.