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How to Make a Light Box for Miniatures Photography

The most readily available lighting equipment is meant for larger objects. Meanwhile, smaller light sources tend to get overpowered by the sun or room light. These issues make it challenging to shoot photos of miniature subjects. Miniature photography benefits from the use of a mini-studio in the form of a light box. This self-contained box provides better lighting control when shooting miniatures.

Things You'll Need

  • 2 by 2 foot white or black box
  • Scissors or utility knife
  • White tissue paper
  • 3 lights
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Instructions

    • 1

      Turn your white or black box on it's side with the opening facing you. If it has a lid or flaps, discard it or cut them away.

    • 2

      Cut a 5 by 5 inch hole in the middle of your box's "top."

    • 3

      Cover the hole with two layers of white tissue paper. Make sure each layer is fully stretched out when attached on top of the box's interior. This creates a translucent and diffused effect on your box's top lighting. Tape the tissue paper in place around the edges of the hole. Do not cover the hole with tape.

      In some cases, you can also use this top hole for other lighting set-ups by removing the layers of tissue paper. For instance, you can put a red or blue gel, which is typically used in photography and theatre, then have the main source of light placed on top of the box. You can also cover the hole with thick, white cardboard, then just keep your light sources placed in front of the box.

    • 4

      Set up the light sources for your miniature photography work. While there are many possibilities when it comes to lighting your subject, as a guide, place two small or regular lamps on each side of the box's front. One should be on the left side, the other on the right side. Point each light inward and downward onto your light box. You can make the necessary adjustments on your lights' position once you have your miniature subject in place and you are ready to frame your shot.

    • 5

      Place a third light on top of the box where the layer of tissue paper is. You can place it anywhere, depending on how it will affect the artistic look of your main subject, just make sure not to cover the hole with the base of the light.

    • 6

      Place your object inside the light box, and set up your camera for the shoot.

Tips & Warnings

  • The traditional concepts of basic lighting and photography apply in miniature photography work.

  • You can also make the same holes on the left, right and back sides of your light box, then have them temporarily covered by layers of tissue paper or gels. This can provide better versatility when situating your light sources in different parts of the box.

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