How to Make an Electric Photo Light Box

Light boxes are designed to filter light.

Photography is a hobby that often pushes the individual to reach the next level of picture taking. A light box can help create the lighting that you are looking for in the still pictures you are taking. A light box allows the photographer to control the light and how it shines on the object being photographed, which results in a more professional looking photograph. Building an inexpensive light box will help to bring your photography to the next level.

Things You'll Need

• Hacksaw
• ½-inch PVC pipe
• 100-grit sandpaper
• PVC adhesive
• PVC T-joints
• PVC caps
• White bed sheet
• Small table lamps

Instructions

1. Use the hacksaw to cut eight pieces of PVC pipe to the length of 3 feet.

2. Sand the ends of all of the cut pieces of PVC to remove the rough edges. This will help the joints fit together better and help to prevent you from getting PVC slivers in your hand.

3. Spread glue on the end of a 3-foot piece of PVC and place a T-joint on the end. Be sure to position the joint so that the bottom of the T-joint will be able to point directly at the ground. Repeat this process until the four sides of the light box top have been assembled.

4. Place glue around the bottom edge of each of the PVC legs and attach the PVC caps.

5. Spread glue on the top end of the legs and insert them into the bottom of each T-joint.

6. Spread the white sheet over the light box and position the lamps on the outside of the light box. Plug the lamps into a power strip and turn them on. The light will shine through the sheet and provide the appearance of a professional photography light box.

References

• Bill Huber: Light Box/Light Tent