DIY : El-cheapo Lightbox

[jayhan]

Ok for those of you who wanna achieve better lighting results for that "studio looks" of product photography, I've a very cheap and reasonably good solution for you.

Here I present to you - JAY'S EL-CHEAPO DIY LIGHTBOX. Away with the hundred dollars light tents. In comes the cheap and dispensable lightbox which cost you up to probly just $5

Here's the stuff you'll need:
1. A carton box - any size will do, but bigger box are more difficult to build and store; however they give more flexibility to shoot bigger subjects.
2. Some double sided tapes, masking tapes & cellotapes
3. Mahjong paper for big boxes, or A4 paper for smaller ones (must be white ok)
4. A razor sharp knife
5. Ruler and pencil/pen

Yes'ir! All you need is just 5 items listed above! See how el-cheapo they are! Look at the pics below and you'll realize how cheap :) ok maybe the apple should be there and the white paper should be included... but you get the idea.

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f44/jayhan78/uploads/DIY%20Softbox/DSC00002_resize-1.jpg

Moving on... lets get our hands deeerrrrteeee.

1.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f44/jayhan78/uploads/DIY%20Softbox/DSC00003_resize.jpg

2.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f44/jayhan78/uploads/DIY%20Softbox/DSC00004_resize.jpg

Firstly you wanna secure the base of the box with some masking tapes, just like shown in pic no.1 and no.2 - The base of the box will act as the background wall of our lightbox. Then, measure the sides of the box about an inch or so, and mark a line around it. The idea is to cut a square hole out of this outline. See pic no.3.

3.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f44/jayhan78/uploads/DIY%20Softbox/DSC00005_resize.jpg

Obviously once after you have marked the necessary borders, you move on to cut them - just like in pic no.4. Now, kids at home... make sure you do this with proper supervision cuz razor blades can slice thru your fingers and your daddy aint gonna be too happy with ShutterAsia.com then. No kiddin! Ok... once cut, remove the square carton box leftouts, just like in pic no.5, and keep them. Why? cuz they can be used on other DIY stuff I'm gonna discuss in future.

4.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f44/jayhan78/uploads/DIY%20Softbox/DSC00007_resize.jpg

5.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f44/jayhan78/uploads/DIY%20Softbox/DSC00010_resize.jpg

Once this is done, your box should then have a look like this in pic no.6

6.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f44/jayhan78/uploads/DIY%20Softbox/DSC00012_resize.jpg

[jayhan]

Ok... dunno why the thread wont let me post up more than 10 images... so I have to do a 2nd reply... anyway...

Now we have the box - all cut open, and ready to be enclosed back again with the white paper we have at hand. Bear in mind, that you would wanna lace the paper on the inside part of the box, and not on the outside. To make things easier, just try stick some double sided tapes on all the internal edges of the box frames. Then slowly place the white paper (which I assume you must have cut into proper fitting sizes) and stick them in place. Just like shown in pic no.7 .

7.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f44/jayhan78/uploads/DIY%20Softbox/DSC00013_resize.jpg

Try to conceal all the brown edges of the box so that you get a smooth all white surface of the interior, which includes the left and right side of the box, as well as the top part (ceiling) of the box. Leave the background - aka, the base of the box, as well as the bottom part of the lightbox bare. Once this is done, you should be able to get something like what is shown in pic no.8

8.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f44/jayhan78/uploads/DIY%20Softbox/DSC00014_resize.jpg

Hey the apple is still there!! :P

Ok... reason why I leave the bottom and the background of the lightbox bare is becuz you will normally wanna swap background colors. You can then use stuff like manila card boards, sugar paper etc etc for this purpose, and all u do is cut a long piece of it and lace it all from the top to the bottom. Not shown in any images cuz I was kinda lazy :P You will then get a seamless background - just like what they have in the studio! :) Cool eh?!

As a result of this product... here are 2 sample shots taken with just utilizing the available table lamp.

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f44/jayhan78/uploads/DIY%20Softbox/diysoftbox.jpg

So have fun on doing this DIY project. Cheers!

[qqmeng]

nice DIY tips! ...thanks!:drunk:

[jayhan]

Here is another example of the usage of this DIY Lightbox... a shot entitled Apple Charmer With A Twist (http://www.shutterasia.com/forum/showthread.php?p=2496#post2496)

[mamakap]

Interesting DYI tips... cool

[derickuan]

Wow! ..Jay, thanks for the cool D-I-Y.....:rock:

[lanatir]

here's mine (some of u may have seen)

http://www.pbase.com/kelvinphoto/image/41934342.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/kelvinphoto/image/41934343.jpg

lined with foil inside too.

[qqmeng]

time to get some used boxes ....:D

[sunnysan]

any reason that use Tesco box ? :P

[jayhan]

any reason that use Tesco box ? :P

errr maybe tesco's box more value for the money? :P
it happens to be there laaa :0

[KenaTembak]

here is my DIY version
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b356/LongExp/lightTent.jpg

it meant to sit on top of a table but I don have such big table so.. temporary use small table and raise up the light tent...

sample..
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b356/LongExp/StillLife/DSC_4753.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b356/LongExp/StillLife/DSC_4755.jpg

[mac]

ok time to make a trip to either DHL or FedEx for my jumbo box

[alancheong7]

Ah Jay! Youse da man! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Mmmmmwaaah! :cool: :D

lanatir, gotshot,
thanks for sharing, too :D


Looking at lanatir's set-up, ah jay's box can be used in & out! :cool:

[lanatir]

Looking at lanatir's set-up, ah jay's box can be used in & out! :cool:

yes but u will be unable to change the angle of lighting

[jayhan]

I think what alan meant was converting my box to use it as a softbox, just like how you did on yours Lanatir :) Thanks to Alan for the idea which I myself didnt even think of!!

[lanatir]

:cool: cool :)

[Saigo]

I'm not using an SLR camera (planning to, really keen to learn) - what do you suggest I should use for a really good white light source for the DIY lightbox?

From the following pic:

http://www.pbase.com/kelvinphoto/image/41934343.jpg

it looks like some sort of flash, no?

[jayhan]

I'm not using an SLR camera (planning to, really keen to learn) - what do you suggest I should use for a really good white light source for the DIY lightbox?

I have a suggestion for you. Build similar DIY El-Cheapo light box, but make sure it can fit some lighting's dimension you are about to get. I strongly suggest you go get some IKEA lightbulbs. Make sure they look white before you buy them. Lit them up and put them just like how we put our flash guns (pls be careful when handling electricity though - DO NOT GET ELECTROCUTED!!). Normal tungsten or flourescent light bulbs will have some color cast, so it would be great if your camera can shoot in RAW or have the option to adjust White Balance. If not then too bad - spells : GET A DSLR :P.

Then to obtain even a better quality picture, assuming you are using a PNS, make sure u dont handheld while taking the photo. Use a tripod, or place it on stacked books (for the height), then switch to auto timer and focus, compose and click... after 10 secs of so of countdown - wahhhlaahh! you have a nicely lit still pic! :)

Hope this helps and good luck in trying it out!

[lanatir]

Saigo, you can choose the continuous light way or the momentary light way. the advantages of the former are that it is cheaper and u can see the effect of the light in realtime easily. with the latter, u have more control over light and more power to create different types of lighting plus u do not need a tripod. In that photo, it is a Speedlite flash u see... powered wirelessly.

Alan, one more thing to add, if you cut the box the way Jayhan did, you will find that the thick borders can sometimes end up being in the reflection or cause shadows on the subject.

[alancheong7]

I think what alan meant was converting my box to use it as a softbox, just like how you did on yours Lanatir :) Thanks to Alan for the idea which I myself didnt even think of!!
:D:D I'd just thought about it after looking at both your pix, and just shot off at the mouth...! :D You're welcome :cool:


Alan, one more thing to add, if you cut the box the way Jayhan did, you will find that the thick borders can sometimes end up being in the reflection or cause shadows on the subject.
Yeah, lanatir. One of the first things that came to mind when I saw Jay's box, thinking the borders were quite broad. But we can experiment, no? :D

Thank you all :D

[Saigo]

I have a suggestion for you. Build similar DIY El-Cheapo light box, but make sure it can fit some lighting's dimension you are about to get. I strongly suggest you go get some IKEA lightbulbs. Make sure they look white before you buy them. Lit them up and put them just like how we put our flash guns (pls be careful when handling electricity though - DO NOT GET ELECTROCUTED!!). Normal tungsten or flourescent light bulbs will have some color cast, so it would be great if your camera can shoot in RAW or have the option to adjust White Balance. If not then too bad - spells : GET A DSLR :P.

Then to obtain even a better quality picture, assuming you are using a PNS, make sure u dont handheld while taking the photo. Use a tripod, or place it on stacked books (for the height), then switch to auto timer and focus, compose and click... after 10 secs of so of countdown - wahhhlaahh! you have a nicely lit still pic! :)

Hope this helps and good luck in trying it out!

Thanks Jayhan! Guess I'll have to drop by IKEA sometime soon.. or any shop that sells bulbs for that matter :P Yeah my Canon Ixus 850 IS can set white balance - and having never done that before, guess I can easily play around with it =p

I've been using tripod to snap my pics, so that's definitely for sure. :)

Saigo, you can choose the continuous light way or the momentary light way. the advantages of the former are that it is cheaper and u can see the effect of the light in realtime easily. with the latter, u have more control over light and more power to create different types of lighting plus u do not need a tripod. In that photo, it is a Speedlite flash u see... powered wirelessly.

I've no idea what you meant by continuous or momentary light way, although if I were to hazard a guess, the latter means um, flickering lights? lol.

I've heard vaguely of Speedlite before, does it cause like several hundred to a thousand ringgit or something?

[lanatir]

I've no idea what you meant by continuous or momentary light way, although if I were to hazard a guess, the latter means um, flickering lights? lol. I've heard vaguely of Speedlite before, does it cause like several hundred to a thousand ringgit or something?

momentary light = flash

[jayhan]

Saigo, here's my take
Momentary Light = Flash guns. Lights on for a split second, picture taken, then lights off after that.
Pros: Save energy, uses batts mostly, portable.
Downside : You cant see where the light is gonna hit the subject, causing highlights and shadows... although some could visualize them.

Continuous Light = Light bulbs or model light (another term). Lights on. Always. Until you decide to switch it off. Just like the IKEA light bulb option I described to you. Some studio "strobes" have this option built into them as well.
Pros: You get to see where the light falls on the subject. Makes composing and directing the model so much easier.
Cons: Tends to overheat, bulky, needs constant electricity supply and not portable.

These are just some way to generalize these two different method of lighting. Some equipment do cater for both, but lets not go into that. :)

[Saigo]

Thanks for the explanation jayhan!

That's really helpful - am learning something new everyday :) I've gotten myself a nice box, now to 'borrow' mahjong papers from a friend and buy the lightbulb =p