How to Make a Photography Lightbox

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By memgineer
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Make a Photography Lightbox

Professional photographers often use light boxes to provide a uniform background for photos or to highlight a particular product. They provide an easy way for a photographer to experiment with light and shadow. Light boxes can be costly to purchase, but are in fact, quite easy to build yourself.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

large cardboard box
white background paper
2" white masking tape
box cutter
ruler
pen
lights
light bulbs

Step 1

Choose a cardboard box that is of an appropriate size for the items you want to photograph. Thicker cardboard will be better than thin for ensuring your box is stable.
Step 2

Using the box cutter and ruler, remove the flaps from the top of the box.
Step 3

Choose a side of the box, and draw a straight line inset 2" from each edge. Repeat on each of the four sides. Cut the cardboard along the lines, removing the center from each side.
Step 4

Take a piece of the background paper and cut it to the full width to the box. Tape the paper to the bottom front edge and extend it to the back top seam. The paper will curve slightly as it goes upward. Cut the paper at the top and tape it to the edge.
Step 5

Cut three pieces of background paper to insert in the holes of each remaining sides. Tape securely. If you use pen to mark the paper for cutting, be sure to have the marked side facing toward the outside of each side. Also make sure the tape is on the outside of the box, so that no marks show inside.
Step 6

Position your lights and start taking pictures.