DIY Images Method 2

byDC574

382 followers

10 years ago

Constructing a Lightbox

Following on from my first tutorial on taking your own quality images using a DIY setup we are going to us the leftover box from method one to create a inexpensive but extremely effective Lightbox. This method is perfect for either when you don't have a window that provides lots of natural light or when you don't get home till dark. This type of setup is very similar to the methods and equipment used by professional product photographers so the results are pretty much guaranteed to be of the highest quality.

Equipment and materials required for Method 2 Include:

• The holed cardboard box from Method One
• White Fabric - this can be old bed sheets or white muslin from an Arts and Crafts shop, as long as there is enough to totally cover the whole of the box
• Masking Tape
• A Glue Stick or spray adhesive
• White Bristol board x 3 (see method one)
• Ruler, marker pen, scissors and a craft knife
• A Desk lamp that is higher than your box
• "Daylight" bulbs- do not use regular bulbs as they cast an yellow/orange light look in you local hardware store for compact florescent bulbs that provide Full Spectrum output and try and get a wattage between 80 - 100 watts

Method 2: Using a Lightbox

This method is great because you can set it up almost anywhere in the home as long as you have a flat surface and a socket for your light. This means you could have it set up right on your office desk!

Yet again I apologise for the crude drawings but if you follow the instruction or take a look at canuck's photos in his tutorial if you get stuck.

1. Grab the Bristol board and using the ruler mark strips every 2" and repeat this until you have 16 strips that are long enough to cover the length and width of the insides of the box.
2. Using the glue stick or spray adhesive attach the strips, pen marks facing towards the innards so as not seen, to the borders inside the box thus creating a pure white lining inside.
3. With another piece of Bristol board measure to the same width as the box but make the length much longer, maybe 2x that of the box. Cut Bristol board.
4. Carefully place the cut board into the box to a point where the board starts to curve to the base of the box but make sure you don't fold or crease it. Cut off any excess board from the top edge.This is now the back your Lightbox.
5. Cut the fabric big enough to cover the left, right and top of the holes on the box and attach with masking tape. Overlap seams to ensure a good seal.
6. Now adjust your lamp to shine in from above, don't have it too close that it will burn the fabric.
7. Insert your subject and camera through the remaining opening at the front and yet again if possible use a tripod and vary your camera settings. If you are having problems with shadows then try using additional lights from the sides, you could use work lamps or large LED flashlights for this.