Well I’ve been promising in the Etsy Bloggers forum thread to post my instructions on how to make a light box without breaking the bank. It’s really a complete table top studio.
Supplies needed:
- 3 bi-fold foam core presentation boards (Mine were made by Elmer’s)
- 1 1/2 yards of white sheer fabric (I purchased a 4.00 window sheer)
- Pencil
- Utility Knife
- Ruler
- 3 utility lamps
- 2 high wattage daylight compact fluorescent light bulbs
- 1 low wattage daylightcompact fluorescent light bulbs
- Power Strip with on/off switch
The idea behind the bi-fold foam core presentation board is that it allows your light box to be folded into a nice flat package for storage. It’s certainly better than having a huge cardboard box sitting around. The other bonus is that it’s already white. No messing with painting a cardboard box. It measures 20 x 30 when opened; therefore each half measures 20 x 15.
First, draw a rectangle on one-half of each presentation board leaving about an inch of material around the edge. Cut the rectangle out with a utility knife or craft knife. The proper way to cut foam core is in three cuts: first through the top paper, second through the foam, third through the bottom paper. My utility knife was sharp enough to go through the whole thing in one slice.
Second, your going to put your bi-fold together sort of like a puzzle. Stand two bi-folds up with the openings on the sides and the solid piece in the back overlapping each other. The take the third bi-fold and lay it over the top using the opening as the top of the box and the solid piece in the back.
Third, take you sheer fabric and drape it over your light box. The idea here is to provide a diffuse light source. Other tutorials tape tissue paper or tracing paper over the openings. Personally, I would have that ripped in no time. Oh, and I used one of the left over pieces of foam core as the floor of my box.
Lastly, you need to set up your lamps. From what I’ve read and through experiment a three-point light source seems to work the best. I am using lamps that I already had around the house. Two metal bowl utility lamps and one halogen work lamp. In the utility lamp on the right I have a high wattage daylight compact fluorescent bulb. On the left I have the halogen work lamp. On the top I have a utility lamp with a low wattage daylight compact fluorescent bulb. The daylight cfl’s give the cleanest, whitest light. In addition, they burn cool so you don’t have to worry about setting your box on fire. On the other hand, the halogen work lamps get really hot, really fast. BE CAREFUL! Don’t let your fabric touch it and unplug it when you are not actually photographing. I have all three lamps plugged into a light strip so I can just flip one switch and poof, there on….poof, there off.
I’m going to attempt to explain the lamps. Since I’m not a professional photographer don’t expect too much. You will probably be using a fixture on the left that will accept another high wattage cfl. That would certainly be my recommendation. The halogen is way hot and also has a different quality light which seems to be somewhat yellow. In the interest of economy I used what I already had. The side lights are there to provide nice bright fill light. The top light is your back light. Depending upon the effect you are looking for you may or may not use it. Experiment and see what you like. Here are two pictures showing before light box and after light box.
I’m no expert but the photo on the right sure looks better to me. It has less shadowing, the colors are truer (look at the green around the bottom of the chair), and it looks less grainy. I’m going to attempt to learn the white balance functions of my camera. When it makes sense to me I’ll be happy to share.
Have some fun with your new table top studio. You can create different backdrops with posters or create an infinity background by attaching your background to the back foam core with masking tape and letting it sweep down across the floor. Below are examples of two infinity backgrounds. I found a roll of shelf liner with a really cool pattern on one side and white on the other. I like the bumpy texture. You could also use poster board in any color you like. The experts recommend something with a matte finish to absorb any overabundance of light.
I plan to do future blogs on white balance and photographing jewelry and capturing bling. Go ahead and start experimenting. You might just improve your product photos and bring in more sales. What’s not to like about that?
