Ok, if you are a blogger or ever need to grab a decent shot in a pinch, what do you do? Lighting is everything when you are trying to get the perfect picture, right? Since I often blog at night, I am not always able to grab the pictures I need during the day. Therefore, I decided to make a photography lightbox.
How to Make a Photography Lightbox
But, again, since it is close to Midnight there is no way I want to run to the store. Instead, I walked out to the garage to see what I could use to make my own lightbox. I found a box my new Keurig had come in this week that was the perfect size. Then I tried to find some white material or an old sheet but couldn’t find one. I looked some more and decide why not just try paper. Yep. Regular office paper.
I gathered the rest of the supplies I thought I could use, grabbed my husband and we commenced to making our photography lightbox. It literally took us 30 minutes.
Supplies:
- cardboard box (we used a 15″ x 18″ box)
- copy paper (5 sheets)
- box cutters
- scissors
- tape
- lamp or other light source
Directions:
- Taking a sheet of letter size copy paper, cut it in half long way, and then tape it to another full sheet. Using this to measure, trace around it on 3 sides of the box.
- Take a straight edge and measure approximately 1″ inside the traced box from step #1 to make a smaller box inside. Use a box cutter to cut out the inside box to create a frame on three sides of the box.
- Tape the nicely put together paper pieces to each of the three sides.
- (Optional) Cut a slit on the back end of the top for sliding in backgrounds. (We used an art easel paper roll we had on hand).
- Position a lamp of other light source over the top and on both sides (if possible) and you are ready to shoot!
Here are a few before pictures I took on my kitchen counter. This is where I take most of my pictures because it is the only place I can get a decent clean background. The cream tint of the counter and the energy-efficient bulbs we use typically leave my pictures yellow.
And now here are the same three objects (notice they all belong to my kids) shot inside the lightbox:
Totally ghetto? Maybe? But (A) it works and (B) it is totally affordable! It didn’t cost me a thing! Now I can save those Amazon gift codes I had for something else. WooHoo!
About Staci
Twitter: momwithadotcom
says:
Love this! My hubby made me one for Christmas. He used some small wooden pieces for the frame and a white shower curtain. I haven’t experimented with it as much as I’d like, yet.
Rita O’Neal recently posted..Keurig Brewer & a Cotton Candy Maker from Best Buy: Great Gifts at Affordable Prices
I think the paper may work for now but we may experiment with something else if I ever decide to shop for it.
haha totally ghetto, love it. And I could top your ghetto. I have a chair sitting next to a window that is half covered with foil, talk about ghetto.
Whatever works, right? We were trying 3 white art canvases set up on our dining room table but it got crazy to set up every time. Your ghetto sounds amazing.
I’ve been soooo wanting to do this and thought it was terribly hard to put together. Thank you for sharing! This will be my project this weekend!!
marina recently posted..LEGO® comes to life on YouTube! (+ A 1000$ #LEGOChannel Gift Card Giveaway)
Not hard at all. And knowing how talented you are it should be a breeze for you!
Guess what untalented photographer is making a lightbox this weekend? This one!!!
Thanks for sharing this!
Kathryn recently posted..Enjoy the Full Flavour of Spirits and Liqueurs with the NEAT Glass
You’re welcome. Always fun knowing others can actually use the info I put out there. Have fun experimenting with the pictures.
Twitter: scentednights
says:
Wow that is so cool. I bought mine and totally should have tried to make it
Ellen Christian recently posted..Tips for Food Photography Photos on your Blog
Twitter: simplystacienet
says:
I was wondering how to make one of these! Thanks for sharing. It doesn’t look too hard at all.
Stacie recently posted..Tiny Prints Valentine’s Day Sale
I love this!! I’ve always wondered how I can make my pics look better! thanks for this tutorial!
Maria (Mammahomemaker) recently posted..20 Years Ago In Music: Top Music Hits of 1993
Twitter: mryjhnsn
says:
Well done! I remember doing this as a project in photography class – oh so may years ago!
@MryJhnsn from iNeedaPlaydate recently posted..Because Prompts Are Fun – My Hardest Day as a Mom #promptsrfun
Oh my gosh, I was just saying that I need one of these! Thank you for sharing how EASY it is to make one at home. Hmm…might have to make one of these on this snowy cold day!
Twitter: JanetGoingCrazy
says:
Thank you! I have the worst lighting in my house and I’m usually waiting until the last minute so I can’t run outside.
JanetGoingCrazy recently posted..If I blog it, they will come…won’t they?
My biggest challenge is definitely lighting for me – never seems to be the right kind.The lightbox looks like it would really help, though. Those toys look really good in the light box!
tazim recently posted..Valentine’s Day Gifts from IKEA
Twitter: Crissy
says:
I’ve been wanting to do this for a long time, thanks for the tutorial Staci!
Great post. I made a light box once with PVC pip and sheets. Time for me to make or get a new one.
Tiffany Cruz recently posted..Peter Pan Diamond Edition Blu-ray Combo Pack Available Nationwide on February 5th
Twitter: MyChaos
says:
Fantastic! Trying this for sure!!
Tammi recently posted..Deep Fryer, an Advantage in your Kitchen?
Twitter: east9thstreet
says:
I need to do this! We have tons of boxes in our garage that we’ve been saving for some unknown reason. I take most of my pics at night or have to wait until the weekend and even then, there is no guarantee the sun will even be out!
Sarah recently posted..Bedroom Makeover Using Girls Bedding & Wall Stickers
Twitter: coupontammy
says:
This is so cool. My daughter could use this. She is working on a digital arts project for school and this would come in handy. Thanks for sharing.