To Light box or not to Light box.

[Former_Member]

I am in the beginning states of gathering materials for a light box. I live in a tiny apartment complex with terrible natural light and places to take good pictures.

I would love to hear your stores about light boxes DIY stories, photography or anything related!

[Former_Member]

i got my light box from think geek with lights and everything for $50

its not free or diy but i think it was worth it because of the probability and the included lights and tripod.

[Former_Member]

Hi, Sara...I live in a very small house and have to do all my work at one end of my kitchen table. When it was time to take photos of my pieces I just had to be just as creative on how to do it.

This is my photo studio:

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b163/hippywife/photos/IMG_1501sm.jpg

My supply box is one of those large tackle boxes with the divided boxes that pull out of the bottom. So I took them out and used that. LOL I just put a couple of small clip lights with CF bulbs and adjusted the setting on my husband's camera for fluorescent lighting. I have since put a white background in there so that there is plenty of reflection and fewer shadows.

[Former_Member]

@kouturecrochet Thanks for that, I think I found my new favorite site.
well in my top ten, I know where all my money is going.
Thanks for sharing.

[Former_Member]

@hippywife very innovative. My biggest problem is i'm short on lights! But this weekend we're going to dig up my boyfriends old snake lights and see if we can get something working, or it's off to the store.

[Former_Member]

I really like simple solutions to a problem and having them evolve from what I have on hand for the most part. I had to buy the small clip lights but those, and the bulbs were my only outlay on this. I just got them at the hardware store. I would think the snake lights would do the same if they are bright enough.

Wishing you luck. :0)

[Former_Member]

Its not technically a 'light box' but have you looked at the clear plastic storage tubs?

On some of my photos for smaller items I'll set them up inside one of those tubs and the plastic will diffuse the light enough to get a few good shots.

[Former_Member]

I used to live in an apt where there wasn't much light and I made a light box with mixed results. I've moved now to a light filled condo so now I use daylight for most of my photos. (still struggling to find the right formula).

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cocosjewelry/3177578676/in/set-72157620492965115

[Former_Member]

@crochetgal Great idea, I'll have to give that a try, I actually have one that is probably a good size.

[miamimere]

I am struggling with this one also. I bought one of those big trifold boards and set up with poster board and big lights. Getting pictures of frames without the flash reflecting in the frame is a bit of a challenge.

[Former_Member]

I've tried several lightboxes, DIY, but they would collapse on me after a time (moving it around too much!)

What I've done now is freezer paper taped against the wall/table with a length of interfacing over it to soften the light and minimize reflection. My pics still come out dark sometimes, a side-effect from living in Oregon, land of no sun, but I just adjust the exposure in Photoshop as needed.

The nice thing about the paper and interfacing technique is I can just stack something on top of it and not have to worry about moving a big, tissue covered box!

[Former_Member]

I never thought of freezer paper before. That sounds like a great idea!
Now you got me thinking about the structural integrity of my light box! Oh well, I made it from stuff I had on hand, but going forward I'm going to try that trick.

[Former_Member]

my light box is a metal frame that my husband welded together. It is draped on the top and two sides with several layers of interfacing from a fabric store. I shine my lights directly down from the top and the interfacing diffuses it nicely. Shiny pots are really hard to photograph and this setup works well. I use a gray photo backdrop paper that was well worth the investment. I have seen people put the frames together with pieces of bamboo that they tape together, or pieces of pvc pipe from a hardware store.

[Former_Member]

@ragingbowl, I never thought about a grey background, I'm going to have to consider that.

I don't know if you've ever considered this but I personally would change your main picture of your object to the ones without you holding the object. When you first look at your shop your hands takes away from the beauty of your items for example

this, http://www.etsy.com/listing/67364432/lavender-pinching-pot-porcelain

looks better then this,
http://www.etsy.com/listing/67214399/feltware-bowl-ice-cream-soup-rice-cereal

[Former_Member]

thanks, I'll consider it!

[efinegifts]

When making your light box (or buying one) keep in mind that the size is very important.

If it is not big enough for you to get a croppable (is that a word?) photo of your product, you will have wasted time and money.

Too big and you will find it a big hassle to use and store.

[Former_Member]

I have been planning to order my light box from Think Geek as well, but so far I am managing with natural light photos. I like the look the light box gives (almost no background sometimes) to photos, but I like natural light and settings as well.

[Former_Member]

I bought a light box on Ebay because I needed a pretty large one to fit my diaper cakes in. Then I went to Home Depot and bought two small lamps for the sides and I bought a triple lamp at Target for the front. I put daylight-pure white light energy saving bulbs in all of them.

[FlightsofFancyStudio]

I built a lightbox for a couple of dollars. Just a cardboard box, dollar store tissue paper and poster board....still working on my photo skills but it has really helped. I also went to the thrift store and got a great desk lamp to use.

[twopennylane]

My "lightbox" for my current batch of photos was two paper hankies sellotaped to bottles of wine on my Dad's kitchen table. I was creasing myself at how funny the set up looked but I'm pleased with the outcome. Not something I want to have to set up very often though. A plastic storage tub is a very good idea. My Mum has so many of those I think they're breeding!

[Former_Member]

I thought thise was a terrific idea...
http://www.handmadeology.com/studio-quality-product-photography-with-a-12-set-up/

[Former_Member]

here's a link for a good very inexpensive lightbox. I've found the key is plenty of light!
http://www.digital-photography-school.com/how-to-make-a-inexpensive-light-tent

[Former_Member]

Here is a very cheap way to do it. This is how I do my photos. Take a card board box. Cut the top and one side of it off. depending on what look your going for cover the inside with contact, wall or thick wrapping paper. I like to go with plain seamless white. To do this I went to the dollar tree and bought a sheet of large white poster paper. I use clothes pins to hold it in place one at the top and one at the bottom. For lighting I only use natural sunlight. I wait til about noon to 1pm (least shadows) and click away. Take tons of pics. The more you take the better the chance you will have a couple of great pics.
Also if you use the white background set your camera to the snow setting.
Hope this was helpful to someone.

[Former_Member]

FeltBugg! That was an awesome link - I'm definitely going to try that!!! Thanks so much for sharing! My fight to get good light is a never-ending battle.

Great thread!

[Former_Member]

@feltbugg, that's actually the pattern I followed, it came out very well. Beautiful smooth background.

@populardesigns I never thought of tin foil! that was brilliant!