How to Create an Inexpensive Photography Lightbox

 I am starting the new part of the blog. I will be collecting the ideas how to help small business to start on a lemonade budget. Not all of us has a loads of money to spend, but many of us has a great ideas, we just needs to help them to see the day light go ahead and succeed. Let me know what do you think. Lets share the ideas.


Close-up photography of detailed objects requires good lighting, and a lightbox is a great solution. It provides light diffusion and a uniform background against which to place the object. Professional lightboxes can be expensive, but you can make a cheaper version at home. To create an inexpensive photography lightbox, make a frame by cutting windows into the sides and top of a cardboard box, cover each opening with white fabric or tissue paper, fit a gently bent portion of white poster board inside the box to create a blank background, and cover the outside of each fabric-covered opening with black poster board to block light as needed. You can then use flashes, desk lamps, and other light sources to create the desired lighting effect.


Steps


  1. Choose a box. The size should be appropriate for the the objects you will photograph. You may find that you need to make boxes in various sizes.
  2. Image titled SecureBottomTape Step 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.
  3. Image titled BoxfacingYou Step 3

    Lay the box on its side. Have the opening facing you.
  4. Image titled MarkLines Step 4

    Mark lines about 1 inch (2.5 cm) inside each edge of the box on each side and on the top. A standard 12" (30cm) ruler makes the perfect straight edge and is the right width.
  5. Image titled CutLines Step 5

    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.
  6. Image titled CutFlaps Step 6

    Cut the front flaps off with a box cutter.
  7. Image titled DiffusingMaterial Step 7

    Cut a section of white fabric (white muslin fabric) or White Nylon and white fleece, 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 fabric. 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.
  8. Image titled CutPieces Step 8

    Use the box cutter and scissors to remove any stray pieces of cardboard from the front edge of the box.
  9. Image titled Make a Collage Poster Step 1

    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.
  10. Image titled InsertMattePaper Step 10

    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.
  11. Image titled BlackMatte Step 11

    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.
  12. Image titled AddlLighting Step 12

    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.
  13. Image titled TakeTestShots Step 13

    Take some test shots as you go. See how well your tissue paper filters and diffuses the light. Add layers of tissue paper as needed. This photo was taken in the example light box, and is not retouched (other than cropping). Now go start taking great photos!
  14. Image titled ActualResult Step 14

    In the end, your images should come out clean, crisp, and without a ton of gray color throughout. Take a look at this sample image taken from the box this process built.
  15. Image titled LightBox Intro

    Finished.
     
     
     

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