Photo box idea

[Former_Member]

My pictures need help if I ever want steady sales, so I'd like to make a photo box. I've read a few tutorials to get some ideas and I came up with an altered version of one and would like some opinions. I have absolutely no photo box experience..

The idea I liked is to take a cardboard box and cut off two sides so you are left with the bottom and a corner of neighboring sides. Then you take styrofoam pieces and attach it to all three sides of the box. That's pretty much all there is to it. I don't have any styrofoam and I don't want to buy it because I really dont like it. Would it work to just paint the box white? Another idea is to glue white fabric inside.

This is the tutorial I'm talking about : http://www.handmadeology.com/creating-a-white-background-inside-a-cardboard-box/

Opinions are much appreciated! :)

[Former_Member]

I have seen tutorials, I think on Pinterest that people have painted the box white or instead of styrofoam they use poster boards. I get poster boards at the Dollar Store.

I am thinking of making one myself and I will use poster board.

[Former_Member]

Oh yeah poster board is a good idea. That might be more economical instead of doing multiple coats of paint. Has anyone here had success with making a cheap photo box?

[Former_Member]

you can see my photo box here:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=393056930719480&set=a.393056324052874.99626.164533693571806&t...

I really think having the holes for the tissue paper on the sides and top are the key b/c it allows the extra light in and avoids dark shadows. you could use a thin muslin fabric instead of tissue paper

[Former_Member]

Hi Desiree,

If you do go with the lightbox option, I would recommend using poster board for its smoother surface.

However, I wonder if you would mind this suggestion before you invest time and energy into a photobox.
Looking at your photos tells me that:
1) you shoot during the day (some people only have a chance to shoot at night)
2) you have plenty of natural light (I can see strong sunlight in your photos)

Use these to your advantage! And so what I would suggest is to try shooting in the shade or by the window. This will let you utilize natural light (which is really the best) and to avoid harsh shadows. I worked with a light-box before and then switched to natural light and it has made my pictures so much better, though I am still working on it.

[Former_Member]

https://www.etsy.com/listing/102502934/square-turquoise-dangle-earrings

This photo shows my handmade light box, I used a box and cut out the top and put white foam board in the inside all around the sides. I have two clip work lights above the top opening of the box. Also set the white settings on the camera. This is what the end result is. I was also told to get a white acrylic sheet about 1/8 inch thick for the bottom to place my jewelry on top. I still need to get that, I have been to four places and can't find. I found on internet but would like to see in person before buying. Take a look at the different photos and see how experimenting helps. Hope this helps.

[Former_Member]

This is the tutorial I used to make my light box: http://digital-photography-school.com/how-to-make-a-inexpensive-light-tent

I also use a desk lap with a 90 watt lightbulb in it. I live in a basement apartment in the woods so I don't have a ton of natural light to use.

[Former_Member]

I went from this:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/88606523/beaded-knit-ring-with-chocolate-brown
very shadowy

to this:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/102204811/tropic-blue-leather-wrap-cuff-bracelet
using a light box! Love them!

[CutenCraftyDesigns]

Good idea! Thanks for the tutorial.

[JudyStalus]

I am not fond of the light box effect. Natural light is generally more attractive and interesting.
You are shooting in very harsh light. I would suggest either going into light shade or using a filter to diffuse the light so you don't have such deep shadows.
When I photograph outside I bring a white umbrella and put it between my subject and the sun (nothing expensive I got mine free from a charity seeking a donation). Or a sheer white curtain over a south facing window will soften the light.

[Former_Member]

Julia, thank you so much for your input. Yes I always shoot in natural light during the day now. It works well, but my backgrounds seem to be pretty busy and people tell me my pictures need work pretty frequently. I was thinking it would be good to make a photo box and put it inside by the window to use the reflection of natural light coming in. Perhaps I'll try other methods first, as I do really love shooting in natural light outdoors. I just haven't experimented enough I guess.

I'm living on the south facing side of my apartment building by a forest. I have tried photos taken against the wall which is grey stone. I have taken photos of sponges and envelopes laying on the concrete sidewalk. I have also taken photos of my objects laying on wood and of people with the forest as the background. i think some are pretty good, but I guess the lighting is too harsh and some backgrounds are too budy. Not really sure what to do...

[Former_Member]

Oh Judy, I like the idea of a white umbrella. I'll be on the look out for one. I haven't found a good light shade yet. It's either super bright or too shady. And my camera is an iPhone which doesn't give me many photography options.

[Former_Member]

Desiree...look for a good photography app on the iPhone. I like Camera+ because you can make all kinds of edits right there in photo mode. I know a lot of people like Hipstamatic but I'm not crazy about it.

[Former_Member]

Yes, use the Camera+ app, it'll make for better pictures. Also, white poster board (see if you can find some with a matte finish - not glossy) will make a good light box. I think the best combo is light box + bright, indirect sunlight. Best of luck!

[seemomster]

Let's see if it will let me direct link from Picasa:

and the answer was no. Here is a link to my picasa album that shows my set-up. I think my pictures are fairly good...

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/1EFGKxRft6UlV93q4uHFSDEM8lF5tFLN5-7ZFWrEh_8?feat=directlink

I shoot in natural daylight when the light is bright, but no direct sun is coming in that window.

[seemomster]

And here's one of my pieces--taken in that setup:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/100521994/moss-green-gemstone-bracelet-cushion-cut

[Former_Member]

That's a great idea, especially if you want more direct light. I think I'll make one of those for my items that I take top-view pictures of since I can't really do that in my light box.

Here's another tutorial if you want more diffused light (this is the one I made):

http://www.handmadeology.com/creating-a-white-background-inside-a-cardboard-box/

[Former_Member]

Oh, and since I used a box I received from a supplies order (so it was free) my light box only cost me $2.00 (the cookie sheet paper that I used). I also had to buy another lamp but i found one at walmart for $5

[Former_Member]

Wow, those are all really cool ideas! :) Thanks for all the tutorials, everyone! :)

[Former_Member]

Hi Desiree,

If you choose to keep on trying outdoors with busy background, then here is what I would suggest: 1) use a wide poster board to block the background and/or 2) increase the depth of field on your camera (unless you have point-and-shoot, check the manual for micro photography settings) so that the background begins to blur, while your subject/object stands out. The depth of field is something that will allow you to increase the perceived distance between your object and the background, which will naturally make the background blur (the farther the background the less defined it becomes).

Also keep in mind that a busy beckground is not necessarily the one that has many different objects in it -- it is anything that creates a well-defined image in itself which then begins to compete with the focal point of your photo. For example, if I can see the little cracks and lines in the concrete surface you are shooting on, then it is a busy background, if I cannot and the texture of the concrete begins to blur, then it is less busy and less intrussive.The same goes for leaves or forest, etc. If this is a challenge, then try shooting on a posterboard of one color propped against another poster board in an "L" sort of manner.

Trying different things will show you what results you can achieve and that way you will see what you need to tweak based on what you see and what you like :)

[Former_Member]

http://digital-photography-school.com/how-to-make-a-inexpensive-light-tent

Same one as Vikie.. Very easy.. I cut up an old white linen dress to cover the sides and top. I made a pretty small box, and need to make a larger one for my larger objects now. Lowes sells their large boxes for less than $2 a piece and they would be large enough to fit most objects.

[Former_Member]

I started out wanting to change my outdoor photography habit to taking photos indoors in a light box. After some deliberation, I feel like I want to work more on my outdoor photography skills since I'm able to take photos during the day. I have seen some wonderful natural light photos, so I just need to work on it.

Julia brings up a really great point that when the background is in focus just as much as the foreground, it creates a busy background even if it is just a light concrete sidewalk. So making the background more blurry and the foreground in focus can create a better photo. I'm not sure if I"m able to do that on an iphone, but Vickie says camera+ app for the iPhone is a good one so I'll try that and see what I can do with it. Otherwise, maybe I just need to get a real camera!

And there is also the idea of using poster board for my outdoor pictures which would work for many things. I think that for photos with people in it, maybe I should use a white sheet.

Thank you so much for all the advice everyone! I have some different methods to practice now. :)

[Former_Member]

what a timely discussion for me! I'm having a hard time taking pictures.
I have a point and shoot camera, and have been trying a modified light box, but my pictures are still dark.
I think my lights aren't strong enough (2 60w lights) - but that is what I need to work with for now.
I didn't put anything to diffuse the light (ie nothing white between the lamp and the product) - I thought that would make it brighter, but after reading these posts, I wonder if that would actually help to get rid of shadows?!
Going to try that next.

Going to mark this! thanks!

[Former_Member]

Hi Kelly,

Your shop is on vacation now, so I couldn't see your current listings. However the sold items I checked look really nice! Enough light in them and though there are someshadows, they are not harsh at all.

[Former_Member]

I used glossy spray paint in my box, and it has really improved things!