Ghetto style light box
Well I’ve been meaning to make one for a while now, and this afternoon I finally did it.
All you need is:
– Cardboard box,
– White paper, tracing paper or white plastic,
– Tape,
– Lights (desk lamps or anything directional).
Method:
Simply cut out the sides of your cardboard box. Obviously don’t cut everything, you need to keep the cardboard box as a frame so it’s keeps its structural integrity. Next you just tape the paper to the sides of the remaining cardboard box “frame” making sure to leave one side completely open. By now you should have a box frame with paper attached to all but one side. If so, you’re finished!
Well almost. All that’s left is setting up your light sources to point through the paper sides of the box shining in to the object you’ll place inside. The idea is that the paper diffuses the multiple light sources entering the light box creating a soft even light with minimal shadows. It’s best to have the same type of lights on the outside if possible as it helps keep an even white-balance. As you can see my white balances are off as I ended up using 4 completely different light sources, which wasn’t ideal.
I think I got an ok result for a first time test. I need to work on focusing and composition, as well as exposure and controlling the harshness of the lights a bit more.. So basically everything..
I’m looking forward to giving it another go though when I can spend more than 10 minutes setting it all up.
Here are a few of my results so far (yes, the white balance is all over the place).
😀
5 Comments
tim
gotta love DIY.
looks good. like to see where you can take it.
btw, is that an L series i see?
Arran
Heya Tim, yep i love anything to do with DIY stuff like this. Its especially good because camera gear is usually so damn expensive hey! I noticed your DIY flah ringlight you made. I might try that next 😀
I have a few things to improve, so will try again next week and see if i get some better results or not.
Oh yeah, thats my 24-105 f/4L IS. I’ve found it a fantastic walk around lens, it has an almost perfect focal length in my opinion. Not as heavy as some others at a similar focal length in the L series too. But like most DSLR crap, its damn bulky compared to the nice older film gear.
Brian.W
I love the old Oly’s, great cameras they are. Found you on Rangefinderforum and noticed your ghetto setup post on OCAU, what a coincidence.
Arran
Haha yeah, thanks for coming by Brian. I’ve noticed a few guys now from OCAU on Rangefinderfoum actually
warwritoFeafe
Terrific info, I will come back soon:)