Does anyone use a "light box"? Did you make one or buy one? I'd like some ideas on an inexpensive method to make one of these boxes. They sell for as much as $70US on Ebay but I just need a very small one to take product shots for my wife. Her stuff is normally very small so a 30" box is overkill.


Mike

I have made them, bought them, used them, for many purposes. How bid an area does she need lit? if for slides, you could get a 2x2 piece of white plex and tape it over a flashlight. I belive I have seen them made that way.

More definition on intended use/requirements and I might be able to give better recomendations. :yes:

I think he is looking for something to use as a back drop for ebay photos.

I would think a piece of white plexi with florescent bulbs below would do the trick, as I've had friends make these. Take one apart and see what it looks like. As I recall, one friend made one with white plexi over the bulbs and a piece of ground glass on top, so he could cut on it, (the grinding was on the bottom side of the glass). You could even make a frame and curve the plex up a bit to eliminate the need for any kind of background, I've seen this in various photo studios. If smaller is needed, then use smaller bulbs and plexi. A reflector below would be advised. It may take some experimenting with an additional piece of plexi or something to break up the light from the bulbs so it looks more even. Or, that my not be an issue for your use.

Cheers!

Here is an example Ebay (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=3860&item=3864876970&rd=1)

Mike

This looks pretty simple. I'd think you could make something like this from white fabric, nylon perhaps, with heavier wire and fabric. You could sew it or just use velcro. The lights you can get at a hardware store or something similar, cheap aluminum shrouds. I've gotten them in the past. However, you will most likely have to adjust for the light. However, you could try using florescent bulbs, but that may have to be balanced for as well. No big deal though, just a quick tweak in Photoshop.

Got it, Grumpy was on the right track. :thmbsp:

My wife plays photogapher pretty serious, and what I set up for her for a backdrop is a roll of fabric with several colors/layers/textures. black, grey, white, etc, velvet, an uphostered fabric, smooth etc... This works well for getting decent contrast, depending on the item being photographed. It does not allow for filtering light from the sides, but a couple of frames on each side with white nylon stretched, would do admirably I would think. Have to make her a set to try...

This is set up on pole from a closet bar, and has a hanger loop in the middle. makes it easy to roll the stuff up for storage. It can be hung from a stand as a hanging background, or set up on a table with a short stand or even draped over a box to give both background and table surface with no seams showing. Ours is full cloth bolt width, but a smaller version could certainly be made.

Hope that helps.

Mike,

I made my light box out of 3/4" PVC pipe. Built the box about 36" square and draped the outside with a king size flat white sheet. The size will be dependant on the backdrop material width that is used. In my case I use two types 1) in backdrop paper (grey) that photo supply houses sell for $30/roll. I also use 2) a graduated paper (light to dark) for those craft type pictures. I photograph some woodturners products for entry into art shows. You can get some ideas at the following site http://www.woodturningplus.com/photography.htm
I would take a picture but I have the unit broken down right now cause I am remodeling the area that I normally have it set up. I think you will get the idea from the url above. If you got more questions I would be happy to help. (the attached picture was taken with the light tent (with a film camera).

Best Regards
Andrew

Funny thing is I visited my local Canadian Tire store and found light duty 3/4 PVC piping but I swear for the life of me I couldn't find any tees or elbow joints to go with it. I did find a site with step by step plans to build a similar light box ( also using 3/4 PVC) but like I said, next time I'm at that store I'll ask for help finding all the proper materials.

Mike

Yep, elbows and tees are essential to making this project work. In the states they are readily available at any of the home improvement big boxes...although I suspect it is a more popular plumbing application in this part of the US as opposed to the northern clim's. I am resonably sure you can find them where they sell any plumbing supplies. Elbows and tees are about $.50US and 8' sections of 3/4" pipe usually runs about $3.00US. A couple of tips: 1) I don't glue the joints so I can break the unit down more easily for quick storage and 2) I bought a low cost PVC pipe cutting pair of pliers...makes the job of cutting easier and cleaner (of course I use PVC pipe for other plumbing/photography projects as well). Good luck...it is a fairly popular low cost solution.

Best Regards
Andrew

I did find a site with step by step plans to build a similar light box

Mike

Could I have the link to this site..


Thanks, Brent

ever thought of making a "light tent" out of a mesh laundry hamper? You only need to line it. They come in many shapes, sizes, meshes and they are collapsable.

Could I have the link to this site..


Thanks, Brent


Sure here it is light box plans (http://www.pbase.com/otfchallenge/light_box)


Mike

ever thought of making a "light tent" out of a mesh laundry hamper? You only need to line it. They come in many shapes, sizes, meshes and they are collapsable.


Hmm I think all those little bits of mesh that make up the basket may cause problems with shadows. ( the very thing I'm trying to avoid) I think we have a couple of black mesh hampers maybe I'll give those a shot and see what happens.


Mike