Wednesday, February 8, 2012

DIY Light Box

I love my blog. I hate my blog photos. I figured it might help if I just built myself a light box. So I did, and I love it!! And I'm gonna show you how I did it. After Googling, YouTubing & searching Pinterest, I came up with a plan. Here is what I used:

Cardboard Box
Tape
Box cutter/Scissors
White Tissue Paper
Ruler/Yardstick
Marker
White Poster Board
Lamps
Natural Light Bulbs

1. Outline 3 sides of the box using a ruler. Leave about an inch around each edge. Excuse my craft area. I'm having to use my guest room for now.
2. Cut out each side like this...
3. Remove the 3 coordinating flaps, leaving one flap along the bottom edge, like this...
4. Trim poster board to fit and place inside the box. Be sure to use your poster board matte side up to prevent glare and to not interfere with flash, if used.
4. Secure poster board to inside of box. Be careful not to crease.
5. Begin laying tissue paper over box opeings, secure with tape, and trim excess.
6. Continue taping tissue paper on all exposed sides, until your box looks like this...
That's it, you're done! You can add more tissue paper if it doesn't diffuse light how you want. Otherwise, add your light source and it's ready to use! I used 2 desk lamps with these light bulbs.
Here is my desk area with the light box. I'm using one of my custom hand poured candles to try this out.
Look at this...I love it!! 
First light box photo ever. It looks great!!
This is gonna be a valuable thing whenever I get around to opening my Etsy shop.
Here is the same candle without the light box. The color is missed and no matter how hard I try to focus, it doesn't help.
and again in the light box. It makes such a huge difference. I never changed any settings on my camera. I'm so amazed!
If you're taking photos of items that are shiny and you want less glare, you can add plain white paper or card stock to the inside of your box to filter more light like this
I only have two light sources, but I may use a 3rd on top of the box sometimes when I take photos of my nails. Adjust your light positions to minimize shadow and have fun playing with this. If you know of any other tips and tricks to using one of these, please pass them my way. I think it's probably the best thing I've ever blogged about! Remember, do not put your lamps directly against the tissue paper...fire hazard! I hope you try this out if you haven't already.
Thanks for reading!!

11 comments:

  1. I'm gonna have to try this, my last lightbox didn't fare well.

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    1. Emma, let me know how it works for you if you try it!

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  2. Wow, I've been thinking about building one of these. Great tutorial, although I really have no space to store something this large right now ... soon, I hope.

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  3. Thanks! We'll see how much of a difference it makes in my photos. I don't have any space to store mine either. I may have to keep it in top of my closet when I'm not using it...

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  4. Wow, what a difference it made in your photos. Thank you so much for sharing your tutorial! I'm pinning it so I can make one too!

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  5. Oh, looks like you had lots of fun building it. Where did you get your desk lamps? Your photos turned out great! :D

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  6. @Brandi I know! Thanks! Good Luck and Happy Pinning!!

    @rmcandlelight (nailsbeautiqued) I had loads of fun. I can't believe I'm just now doing this! Lamps came from Wal-Mart. One was $8 and I think the clamp one was $6. Thanks!

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  7. Wow...love this! I am so glad that I happened upon your place while out blog strolling this evening! I am definitely saving this post for future use. Thanks for sharing! ....following now...k

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  8. this is awesome! My husband sells products off his website for his business, and I think I am going to make this for him, because so far his pictures are a little lacking, lol

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    1. let me know if you build one for your hubby...he will love it!

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