How to Make a Photo Box

Creating a photo box that can be used to take high-quality, professional-looking photos is easy.

Photo boxes are commonly used to photograph items that may be difficult to photograph on their own, particularly jewelry or other crafts that are being photographed for an online store or magazine. A photo box is typically white or black and constructed so that the lighting does not cause a glare or shadow over the item being photographed. Making a photo box is relatively simple and can be done with just a few inexpensive materials.

Things You'll Need

• 12 x 12 x 12-inch box
• Knife
• 14 x 10-inch Plexiglas
• Background scrapbooking paper
• 100-watt light
• Wax paper

Instructions

1. Cut out one side of the box, keeping the rest intact. The cut-out section will be the front opening of the box, and the original box opening will be the top with the flaps kept open.

2. Place your background paper on the bottom of the box. If you would rather use the bottom of the box as the background, skip this step.

3. Measure on the sides of the box 9 inches from the bottom. Cut a slit at that height from the front to the back. Do not cut anything into the back of the box. Do this on each side.

4. Slide the glass plate into the slits. Make sure it can sit in the slits on its own without falling.

5. Tape the wax paper over the light source. This diffuses the light and prevents it from glaring sharply over the glass and the item being photographed.

6. Turn the light on and aim it toward the inside of the box. It should light up the box's interior without causing a severe glare.

7. Place the item you wish to photograph on top of the glass. Take your pictures from above the box.

8. Adjust the lighting until your photos turn out exactly how you want them. Many times it will take a few tries to make sure the light is in the best spot. Take a few test pictures until you have it just right.

Tips & Warnings

• Focus your camera as close to the object being photographed as you can, and make sure the flash is turned off. The background will typically be blurry because of the distance, but you will have a clear, detailed photo of the item.

References

• Create-a-Pendant: How to Make a Photo Box