How to Create Your Own Soft Box Light for Photography
Studio photography relies on artificial light from flash bulbs or standing lamps to illuminate a scene, product or model's face. However, this light is often harsh and creates too much contrast, casting dark shadows, highlighting blemishes blemishes and washing out color. To minimize these effects, a soft box is often used to diffuse the light. Though these can be purchased from most professional photography stores at a premium price, you can build your own for hundreds of dollars less.
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Things You'll Need
- Shoebox
- Scissors
- White construction paper
- Glue stick
- Utility knife
- Tape
- White tissue paper
Instructions
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1
Remove the lid from the shoebox. If the lid folds over to close, cut it away from the edges of the box with scissors.
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2
Cut white construction paper to fit over each side panel and the bottom of the shoebox. Glue the pieces of paper onto each panel and allow it to dry for an hour.
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3
Make a hole in the bottom center of the shoebox that is slightly smaller than the head of your external flash unit using a utility knife.
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4
Stretch a sheet of white tissue paper over the open top of the shoebox and secure it with tape. For greater light diffusion, and thus softer light, attach three to four sheets of tissue paper to the top of the box.
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5
Stick the head of your external flash unit through the hole you cut in Step 3. Because the hole is slightly smaller than the flash head, the soft box will stay mounted as you take photographs.
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Tips & Warnings
To create a larger soft box, simply use a larger box, more construction paper and larger sheets of white tissue paper.
Avoid placing a homemade soft box over a standing lamp. These lamps can become very hot and present a fire hazard if used with this type of soft box.
References
- Photo Credit Creatas Images/Creatas/Getty Images
