Sunday, December 18, 2011

Homemade Light Box

Taking very good pictures is essential when you have an online store; your customers must be able to see your item(s) accurately before making the decision to buy it.   I haven't been happy with my store pictures and have been researching for ways to improve them.  Recently I came across a post on the Strobist blogspot.   It’s a step by step DIY way to build a light box for $10; I had all the supplies on hand so it actually didn't cost me a penny.  It’s a great way to take professional pictures of your art items.  The supplies are:
  • A cardboard box
  • Tracing paper
  • Poster board (white or black)
  • Tape
  • Knife
  • Scissors
One negative is that the tracing paper is fragile and may tear easily.   One person on the post commented to use felt instead of the tracing paper. 
Another post in Studiolighting.net uses white foam board instead  of the cardboard box for the construction of the light box.  This is worth trying as well.
I have included below pictures of my own box made with a cardboard box and pictures of some of my art prints.  
Cut off three sides of cardboard box.

Taped tracing paper on the three open sides of box.

Inside of the box.

Picture of card taken by the window using day light.

Picture taken with light on right side of light box.




Close up.


Light box in action.
I am looking forward for your comments and to hear about your own experience with taking the best pictures to show off your items.
A Bientot,
Pascale


2 comments:

  1. Yep, that's the same tutorial I followed as well. I have created two of those lightboxes and it has helped tremendously. I have even taken the lightbox outside during full sun and taken some great pictures.

    I still have struggled with having the proper lamps/lighting even with the box indoors, but it has proven to be much better than taking the pictures outside of the box. At some point I substituted the tracing paper for a white sheet that I draped on the entire box. Thanks for sharing! :-)

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  2. Wonderful! I have use one lamp but will try two; the video has used two with great results. I haven't used it outside yet, will soon. The white sheet is a great idea, I will try that. Thanks for sharing!

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