How to Build Your Own Light Tent

Many photographers use a light tent to produce still life pictures such as product demo images that you might see in many magazines. The images are evenly exposed throughout, and shadow lines are barely visible. Although most light tents can cost $100 and up, it is possible to make your own light tent with materials that are readily available at any hobby store.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Cardboard box
• Ripstock nylon (white)
• Construction paper (white, 20x30)
• Scissors
• Pack of Velcro sticky pads
• Scotch tape

Building a Light Tent

1. Find your cardboard box. It can be virtually any old box but you'll want to pick one that is the approximate dimensions you'll need as a photographer. Consider the type of items that you will want to photograph inside this box and make sure that you have enough room inside that you won't be photographing the sides of the box.

2. Cut windows into the box. Starting on left side of the cardboard box, cut a large rectangular window into the box leaving only a small (one to two inch) frame remaining. Repeat this step for the top of the box and the right side. The bottom and back of the box will not matter as you will cover this later with the construction paper.

3. Cover the windows with nylon. Using your Velcro sticky pads, set a pad on each corner of your windows and then use your scissors to cut the white nylon to size. Place a Velcro pad on the corners of your sized nylon and then attach to the cardboard box.

4. Install your construction paper. Using your scotch tape and the construction paper, tape the paper to the back of the cardboard box and cascade it downward until it reaches or extends out of the cardboard box. This will be your floor and background for the items that you photograph inside the tent.

5. Add light. Place either your flashguns or a constant source of light (such as portable lamps) on either side of the tent you've just created to cast light through the nylon. The lighting will be evenly dispersed across the surface of the nylon creating the perfect ambiance for a product photography shoot.

Tips & Warnings

• If you do not wish to use Velcro pads, you may be able to use strong tape to attach the nylon to the frame of the cardboard box.

References

• Photokaboom: Light Tents