How to Make a Photo Lighting Enclosure
Still life and product photography can be a fun way to play around with your camera, and a lighting enclosure, also called a light box or light tent, can help you get professional-looking results. Pre-assembled light boxes can cost hundreds of dollars; with an afternoon's effort, you can build your own for as little as $20.
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Things You'll Need
- Cardboard box
- Marker
- Tape Measure
- Utility knife
- White Bristol board
- Scissors
- Spray adhesive
- White ripstop nylon material
- Desk lamp
- Daylight balanced light bulb
Instructions
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1
Obtain a square cardboard box. Pre-made light boxes can range in size from 12 to 86 inches; the size of your light box depends on what you plan to photograph in it but a minimum of 12 inches is suggested. There should be a few inches of room left after the subject of your photo is placed inside the box.
If you do not have a suitable box at home, most grocery stores and other retailers will give away boxes that products were shipped in, or you can purchase a cardboard box at an office supply or packaging and shipping store. -
2
Cut off the front flaps with the utility knife.
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3
Cut a large, square hole in both sides and the top of the box. Use the tape measure and marker to mark off a 2-inch border on each side prior to cutting. Leave the border intact, and cut out only the square in the center to create three separate holes, one on each side and one on the top. The remaining border also provides structure.
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4
Cut one sheet of the Bristol board into 2-inch strips.
Bristol board can be found at art supply stores and at many large craft stores. -
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Line the inside of the box with the Bristol board by spraying the adhesive onto the surface of the cardboard and laying the Bristol board on the adhesive. Smooth out any air bubbles. The 2-inch strips should fit nicely around the holes that were cut into the sides and top of the box.
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Attach the ripstop nylon to the outside of the box by applying a thin line of hot glue with a glue gun onto the bottom edge of one side of the box. Place one edge of the nylon into the line of glue and allow it to harden. Wrap the nylon material over the top and apply more glue to the bottom of the other side and allow to dry.The material should cover both of the holes on the sides and the hole on the top of the box. The opening in the front should remain uncovered.
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Insert another sheet of Bristol board as a backdrop. Do not bend the Bristol board to match the crease of the box, just allow it to sit, as any creases will show in your photographs.
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Light the box. Place the desk lamp with the daylight balanced bulb above the box and shine it through the nylon material to light your subject. You can use additional lamps on the sides of your box if you need more light or need to eliminate shadows.
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Tips & Warnings
For the best color quality to your photos look for light bulbs labeled as having a color temperature of 5000K or 5500K
