Light box (?) for taking pictures of "smallish" items

Green_Manelishi · 02-23-2011, 05:13 PM

Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here.

I believe what I am seeking is called a "light box". But I know very little about them. I need one large enough to take pictures of whisky/beer bottles, and some small packages of a confection that my wife makes ... max of about 12 inches high, perhaps 8" or so wide? Preferably changable background colors; white, gray, blue?

Any suggestions?

My question(s): can the box and necessary lighting be purchased as a kit? I have several lights that might bue useable but if I can save money buying a kit and just be done with it, that is better than ordering lights seperately.

deejjjaaaa · 02-23-2011, 05:48 PM

Originally posted by Green_Manelishi

Any suggestions?

DIY - it is just some fabrics on a frame and light outside (flashes, etc)

Ira · 02-23-2011, 07:00 PM

Originally posted by deejjjaaaa

DIY - it is just some fabrics on a frame and light outside (flashes, etc)

Yep--and these days, shooting raw and being able to adjust color balance later, you can even use powerful and cheap Home Depot work lights.

For the money of most lower-end photo lighting kits, you can buy twice the quality as a DIY.

Also, you may have a corner of a room, on a desk for example, that's most convenient for you to shoot. So using that as a start and rigging a DIY set-up is the way to go.

Wheatfield · 02-23-2011, 07:26 PM

Get several pieces of Construction Paper for backgrounds. Hang a cork board on the wall behind your desk to hang the paper from. Push pins work fine for hanging the paper.
Ira is right about the Home Depot lights. I got a couple of them (two 300 watt lights on stands each) for 40 bucks.
They run hot, which can be dangerous to filter. I've seen florescent worklights at THD which run much cooler, they are somewhat more expensive than the halogen ones.
If the room can be (or is) painted a suitable colour, then the lights can be bounced off the walls and back to the product, though this can make for bland light unless flags are used.

Anyway, you don't need anything complicated, this stuff isn't rocket science (and even that works with kerosene and bottled oxygen). I've seen the cheap store bought mini studios and personally I think they are a rip off. Mostly they are too small.
Even a couple of desk lamps with handkerchiefs stretched over them to diffuse the light will give perfectly nice light for many small product applications.

Get yourself some beanbags. You can lay a product onto them to allow easier framing, and they can look quite nice.
BlueTac or similar is also useful for holding small objects in position.

But don't buy a canned "studio". You probably have everything you need in your house already.

Green_Manelishi · 02-24-2011, 04:01 PM

Thanks all for the input. I did try my hand at a DIY some time ago but the results were, shall we say, less than spectular or useful.

Any hints/websites with fool-proof step-by-steps regarding light wattage, etc?

MobiusOne · 02-24-2011, 06:14 PM

Is this something along the lines of what you're looking for?

Strobist: How To: DIY $10 Macro Photo Studio

Green_Manelishi · 02-25-2011, 02:05 PM

Originally posted by MobiusOne

Is this something along the lines of what you're looking for?

Strobist: How To: DIY $10 Macro Photo Studio

That is spot on.

Ratmagiclady · 02-25-2011, 03:21 PM

If you have any nylon-canvas camp chairs or other lawn furniture, (especially torn ones) remove the canvas and throw a bedsheet over the frame.

Baddabing.

Green_Manelishi · 02-26-2011, 08:30 AM

Originally posted by Ratmagiclady

If you have any nylon-canvas camp chairs or other lawn furniture, (especially torn ones) remove the canvas and throw a bedsheet over the frame.

Baddabing.

Great idea !!!

Excuse my ignorance but would it work to throw a bed sheet over the frame of one with the canvas still on the frame? If not, why?

DanWeso · 02-26-2011, 08:58 AM

I wanted something both portable and professional looking so I bought one one of these. Very happy with it.

New Photo Studio Tent Cube Soft Box in a Light Box LS34 - eBay (item 310263791603 end time Mar-20-11 08:58:20 PDT)

gp1806 · 02-26-2011, 09:04 AM

Originally posted by Green_Manelishi

Great idea !!!

Excuse my ignorance but would it work to throw a bed sheet over the frame of one with the canvas still on the frame? If not, why?

Depends. You need the flash to fire through the bed sheet, if the canvas is in the way it will soak up too much light and could change the color of the flash lighting. If you can arrange the sheet properly it might be fine. Give it a try.

Northern Soul · 02-26-2011, 09:25 AM

Originally posted by MobiusOne

Is this something along the lines of what you're looking for?

Strobist: How To: DIY $10 Macro Photo Studio

$10? That' a bit rich for me!

I have a chair on top of the dining table, with a £2 ($3?) clip light on the seat.

I have a sheet of tissue taped to the back of the chair and over a mirror lying flat on the table. Opposite the light I have my old shaving mirror and a crinkled sheet of tin foil.

I could do with spending another £2 on another clip light, but you don't want to go mad - that'd be a whole £4 ($6).

magkelly · 02-26-2011, 09:28 AM

I actually made one with a white box using these instructions that I found on the web. I'm thinking of replacing this box with a PVC pipe version at some point though.

How to Make An Inexpensive Light Tent – DIY

Green_Manelishi · 02-26-2011, 09:36 AM

Originally posted by Northern Soul

$10? That' a bit rich for me!

I have a chair on top of the dining table, with a £2 ($3?) clip light on the seat.

I have a sheet of tissue taped to the back of the chair and over a mirror lying flat on the table. Opposite the light I have my old shaving mirror and a crinkled sheet of tin foil.

I could do with spending another £2 on another clip light, but you don't want to go mad - that'd be a whole £4 ($6).

Will you post a picture of that arrangement?

Northern Soul · 02-26-2011, 10:01 AM

Originally posted by Green_Manelishi

Will you post a picture of that arrangement?

Sort of - I took a snap of it accidentally when I was playing with the camera but exposure wise you can't see much because there was no other light in the room - you get the idea though. The clip on light is obscured by the right hand front leg of the chair. The dark rectangle front left is my old shaving mirror, and you can see the tin foil on the left as well. The chair is over a long mirror I took off the wall temporarily - not sure it adds much but it bounces some light back.

Photo links to my flickr - I've put two sample shots up too. This was my first go - I need a neater background (tissue I haven't creased) and could maybe do with balancing the light a bit. Something other than a tea cup to use as a prop would be nice too

Edit OK - so that flickr link didn't work as I thought. Here are the samples and a link to my flickr The jewellery is shot with the K-7 and a Tamron MF 80-210 macro zoom on an adaptall 2 k mount - f8 / ISO 100.

02-23-2011, 05:13 PM	#1
Green_Manelishi Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: On the edge ... Posts: 179	Light box (?) for taking pictures of "smallish" items Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. I believe what I am seeking is called a "light box". But I know very little about them. I need one large enough to take pictures of whisky/beer bottles, and some small packages of a confection that my wife makes ... max of about 12 inches high, perhaps 8" or so wide? Preferably changable background colors; white, gray, blue? Any suggestions? My question(s): can the box and necessary lighting be purchased as a kit? I have several lights that might bue useable but if I can save money buying a kit and just be done with it, that is better than ordering lights seperately.

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02-23-2011, 05:48 PM	#2
deejjjaaaa Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: steel city / rust belt Posts: 2,043	Originally posted by Green_Manelishi Any suggestions? DIY - it is just some fabrics on a frame and light outside (flashes, etc)

02-23-2011, 07:00 PM	#3
Ira Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Coral Springs, FL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,216	Originally posted by deejjjaaaa DIY - it is just some fabrics on a frame and light outside (flashes, etc) Yep--and these days, shooting raw and being able to adjust color balance later, you can even use powerful and cheap Home Depot work lights. For the money of most lower-end photo lighting kits, you can buy twice the quality as a DIY. Also, you may have a corner of a room, on a desk for example, that's most convenient for you to shoot. So using that as a start and rigging a DIY set-up is the way to go.

02-23-2011, 07:26 PM	#4
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,981	Get several pieces of Construction Paper for backgrounds. Hang a cork board on the wall behind your desk to hang the paper from. Push pins work fine for hanging the paper. Ira is right about the Home Depot lights. I got a couple of them (two 300 watt lights on stands each) for 40 bucks. They run hot, which can be dangerous to filter. I've seen florescent worklights at THD which run much cooler, they are somewhat more expensive than the halogen ones. If the room can be (or is) painted a suitable colour, then the lights can be bounced off the walls and back to the product, though this can make for bland light unless flags are used. Anyway, you don't need anything complicated, this stuff isn't rocket science (and even that works with kerosene and bottled oxygen). I've seen the cheap store bought mini studios and personally I think they are a rip off. Mostly they are too small. Even a couple of desk lamps with handkerchiefs stretched over them to diffuse the light will give perfectly nice light for many small product applications. Get yourself some beanbags. You can lay a product onto them to allow easier framing, and they can look quite nice. BlueTac or similar is also useful for holding small objects in position. But don't buy a canned "studio". You probably have everything you need in your house already.

02-24-2011, 04:01 PM	#5
Green_Manelishi Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: On the edge ... Posts: 179 Original Poster	Thanks all for the input. I did try my hand at a DIY some time ago but the results were, shall we say, less than spectular or useful. Any hints/websites with fool-proof step-by-steps regarding light wattage, etc?

02-24-2011, 06:14 PM	#6
MobiusOne Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 46	Is this something along the lines of what you're looking for? Strobist: How To: DIY $10 Macro Photo Studio

02-25-2011, 02:05 PM	#7
Green_Manelishi Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: On the edge ... Posts: 179 Original Poster	Originally posted by MobiusOne Is this something along the lines of what you're looking for? Strobist: How To: DIY $10 Macro Photo Studio That is spot on.

02-25-2011, 03:21 PM	#8
Ratmagiclady Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: GA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,563	If you have any nylon-canvas camp chairs or other lawn furniture, (especially torn ones) remove the canvas and throw a bedsheet over the frame. Baddabing.

02-26-2011, 08:30 AM	#9
Green_Manelishi Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: On the edge ... Posts: 179 Original Poster	Originally posted by Ratmagiclady If you have any nylon-canvas camp chairs or other lawn furniture, (especially torn ones) remove the canvas and throw a bedsheet over the frame. Baddabing. Great idea !!! Excuse my ignorance but would it work to throw a bed sheet over the frame of one with the canvas still on the frame? If not, why?

02-26-2011, 08:58 AM	#10
DanWeso Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Buffalo, NY Photos: Albums Posts: 191	I wanted something both portable and professional looking so I bought one one of these. Very happy with it. New Photo Studio Tent Cube Soft Box in a Light Box LS34 - eBay (item 310263791603 end time Mar-20-11 08:58:20 PDT)

02-26-2011, 09:04 AM	#11
gp1806 Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Chicago suburbs Photos: Albums Posts: 848	Originally posted by Green_Manelishi Great idea !!! Excuse my ignorance but would it work to throw a bed sheet over the frame of one with the canvas still on the frame? If not, why? Depends. You need the flash to fire through the bed sheet, if the canvas is in the way it will soak up too much light and could change the color of the flash lighting. If you can arrange the sheet properly it might be fine. Give it a try.

02-26-2011, 09:25 AM	#12
Northern Soul Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: The North of England Photos: Albums Posts: 494	Originally posted by MobiusOne Is this something along the lines of what you're looking for? Strobist: How To: DIY $10 Macro Photo Studio $10? That' a bit rich for me! I have a chair on top of the dining table, with a £2 ($3?) clip light on the seat. I have a sheet of tissue taped to the back of the chair and over a mirror lying flat on the table. Opposite the light I have my old shaving mirror and a crinkled sheet of tin foil. I could do with spending another £2 on another clip light, but you don't want to go mad - that'd be a whole £4 ($6).

02-26-2011, 09:28 AM	#13
magkelly Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,901	I actually made one with a white box using these instructions that I found on the web. I'm thinking of replacing this box with a PVC pipe version at some point though. How to Make An Inexpensive Light Tent – DIY

02-26-2011, 09:36 AM	#14
Green_Manelishi Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: On the edge ... Posts: 179 Original Poster	Originally posted by Northern Soul $10? That' a bit rich for me! I have a chair on top of the dining table, with a £2 ($3?) clip light on the seat. I have a sheet of tissue taped to the back of the chair and over a mirror lying flat on the table. Opposite the light I have my old shaving mirror and a crinkled sheet of tin foil. I could do with spending another £2 on another clip light, but you don't want to go mad - that'd be a whole £4 ($6). Will you post a picture of that arrangement?

02-26-2011, 10:01 AM	#15
Northern Soul Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: The North of England Photos: Albums Posts: 494	Originally posted by Green_Manelishi Will you post a picture of that arrangement? Sort of - I took a snap of it accidentally when I was playing with the camera but exposure wise you can't see much because there was no other light in the room - you get the idea though. The clip on light is obscured by the right hand front leg of the chair. The dark rectangle front left is my old shaving mirror, and you can see the tin foil on the left as well. The chair is over a long mirror I took off the wall temporarily - not sure it adds much but it bounces some light back. Photo links to my flickr - I've put two sample shots up too. This was my first go - I need a neater background (tissue I haven't creased) and could maybe do with balancing the light a bit. Something other than a tea cup to use as a prop would be nice too Edit OK - so that flickr link didn't work as I thought. Here are the samples and a link to my flickr The jewellery is shot with the K-7 and a Tamron MF 80-210 macro zoom on an adaptall 2 k mount - f8 / ISO 100.