BUILDING A HOMEMADE PHOTO LIGHTBOX
Written by Mike on February 26, 2009 – 2:17 pm -INTRODUCTION
If you have ever bought or sold anything on eBay or even noticed a really nice photo of something with a stark white background and almost no shadow at all, you have seen a lightbox at work. As its name suggests; a lightbox illuminates your subject (in this case more often than not a small product item). If you have items that you sell (jewellery, tools, small antiques, collectibles…), you really can’t afford NOT to have good product photos. While purchasing a lightbox may not break the bank, they can be a bit pricey. This little guide will show you how to build one for as little as $5.00 (free if you have all the stuff lying around). The end results will almost without a doubt be the same and you can build it in less than an hour.
THIS IS WHAT YOU NEED…
- Cardboard box (size will depend on what you are shooting)
- 2-4 sheets of white tissue paper
- 1 piece of matte white poster board
- 1 piece of matte black poster board
- Scotch tape
- Packing tape
- 12″ (30 cm) ruler
- pencil or pen
- Scissors
- Box cutter/Exacto Knife
THIS IS WHAT YOU DO…
1. Choose a box that will be large enough for the items you are photographing. Since it is so cheap to do; you may want to do a couple different sizes
2. Secure the bottom of the box with packing tape. Use more packing tape to secure the bottom flaps inside. This will keep them out of the way. Lay the box on its side, with the opening facing you.
3. Mark lines about 1 inch (2.54 cm) inside each edge of the box on each side and on the top. A standard 12″ (30 cm) ruler makes the perfect straight edge and is the right width.
4. Using the box cutter carefully cut along the lines you drew. You can use the ruler as a straight edge to guide your cut. It is not necessary to get the cuts absolutely straight. Notice that the flaps on the front of the box have been left on for now to add stability and make it easier to cut. You may find that taping the front flaps shut makes it easier to cut.
5. Cut the front flaps off with a box cutter.
6. Cut a section of tissue paper large enough to fit over each of the openings you cut. Then tape it to the outside of the box using cellophane tape. Start with one layer of tissue paper. After completing the box and making some test shots, you may find that you need additional layers of tissue paper to achieve the right lighting. The tissue helps to diffuse (spread) the light and a little more paper will still let the light through but will help to spread it more evenly
7. Use your box cutter and scissors to remove any stray pieces of cardboard from the front edge of the box.
8. Cut a piece of matte white poster board to fit the inside of your box. The piece should be in the shape of a rectangle, with the width being the same as a side of the box, but the length being twice as long.
9. Insert the poster board into the box, curving it up towards the top of the box. Curve it gently; don’t crease it. Trim it if necessary. This will create an infinite, edgeless look for the background of your shots.
10. Cut matte black poster board in sections large enough to cover the tissue paper areas. This will allow you to block light from certain directions when taking photographs. You may want a certain shot to have some shadowing and this “blackout” method will help to get the results very easily
11. Add your lighting. Photo lights, flashes, and even standard desk lamps can be placed on either side or above the box to produce the desired lighting effect.
12. Take some test shots as you go to see how well your tissue paper filters and diffuses the light. Add layers of tissue paper as needed.
13. You now have a lightbox!
COMMANDO TIPS…
1. Make sure to use matte and not glossy poster board. Glossy poster board can reflect the light and cause glare.
2. Try other colors of poster board and even fabric to achieve the desired effect.
3. You may find that removing the bottom of the box makes it easier to just drop the light box over your subject.
4. If you take shots straight down from above, cut the bottom of the box like the sides and top, and cover with tissue paper. Then set the box open side down and cut a lens sized hole in what is now the top of the box. That way you can lay out your subject on a piece of white matte cardboard, then drop the box over it, and shoot the photograph through the hole.
5. If your camera has one, learn how to use its “custom white balance” (WB) feature–this can make all the difference when shooting items in this fashion.
IN SHORT
Fun little projects like this are great to get you started doing some creative stuff for very little money. Selling on eBay or your website or even a catalogue requires good quality product photos. Being able to do them yourself can save you a lot of money, make you look very professional and even get you some business shooting products.
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