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Sunday, March 24, 2013

Upgrading My Photography with a DIY Light Box


DIY Light Box by Bethany the ngnrdgrl


One of the biggest photography tips out there is to use natural lighting. Well, let me tell you. Natural lighting can be pretty fickle in Seattle. Paint companies have even named their gray paint after us: Seattle Gray.

Let me give you an example of how natural lighting can really enhance your photos:

Benefits of Natural Lighting
Benefits of Natural Lighting: Both taken with my HTC One S Camera Phone. Left: Fluorescent Lighting at Night. Right: Natural Lighting during the Day

The first picture was taken with my camera phone under fluorescent lighting. I thought I could fix some of the blandness in a photo editing program. Later that week, I took a picture of my pendant near a window to take advantage of some natural lighting. What a world of a difference!!!

I am appalled to have published that first picture! It is horrible! What was I thinking? Oh, yeah. I was thinking, "dang, it's winter in Seattle. I'll have to make do with a picture under my fluorescent lighting and try to correct it later."

Yeah. As you can see from the pictures, natural lighting beats fluorescent lighting for sure.

Being that I live in Seattle, though, I decided I can't rely on natural lighting alone. I want to be able to take quality pictures of my jewelry and crafts without relying on what time of day it is or whether I can capture soft light through my window or not. After doing some research (on Pinterest!), I decided to jump on the light box band wagon.

A ton of people have made their own light boxes well before me, so this isn't anything new. However, the majority seem to be made with cardboard boxes. I found a couple of alternatives to the cardboard box and decided to make mine similar to nataliezdrieu's DIY Light Box.

Supplies and Cost Breakdown

To make your own light box, you will need to following materials:
  • 1 x Clear Storage Container (66 Qt) 
  • 3 x Lamps 
  • 1 x Package of Four Full Spectrum Bulbs 
  • 1 x White Poster Board (22 in x 28 in) 
  • 1 x package of Solid White Gift Wrapping Tissue Paper 
  • 1 x Surge Protector or Three Outlet Extension Cord

Sterilite ClearView Purple Storage Box with Latching Lid 66-qt. = $8.99
Sterilite ClearView Purple Storage Box with Latching Lid 66-qt. = $8.99
Room Essentials® Clip Light - Black
Room Essentials® Clip Light - Black = $9.99 X 3

GE Reveal 60 Watt Bulb 4-pk.
GE Reveal 60 Watt Bulb 4-pk. = $9.99

I bought all of my supplies from Target.

I chose a large (66-Qt) storage container that is clear and squarish (no rounded sides). It cost me $9. You could also make a frame out of cardboard or foam board, but I like the idea of the dual usability of a storage box.

The most expensive part of the set up is the lamps. If you have lamps available at home, use them. I didn't, so I bought three clip on desk lamps for $10 each. I also bought full spectrum, 4 pack of bulbs, which was also around $10.

The total set up cost me under $50. I already had the surge protector, which was an afterthought when I realized I needed extra outlets for the three lamps.

Light Box Set Up

This is the best part. My first time setting up took me less than 10 minutes!

Here is how to set up your own Light Box:
  1. Remove the sticker label from your container and remove the lid. Lay the container on its side.
  2. Cut the poster board width down so that it will fit inside of your container. I had to cut roughly 2 inches off the side. Stick your poster board inside and tape into place.
  3. Drape a single layer of tissue paper on the top and sides. I didn't even need to tape them down because of static cling!
  4. Remove your lamps from the packaging and install your full spectrum bulbs.
  5. Clip one lamp to each side and clip the third lamp to the top. Point all the lamps toward the box.
  6. Plug all the lamps into a surge protector and turn them on!

Presto! Light box acquired!

DIY Light Box by ngnrdgrl.wordpress.com

I chose to use a storage container over making a cardboard or foam board light box (several examples of which are pinned to my Photography Tips Pinterest Board), because once I am done taking pictures I can store all the supplies inside of the storage container. If it was made out of cardboard, I would have to figure out some place to put it where it wont' get crushed. I don't have to worry about storing the storage container because of its dual function. Also, the additional cost for the storage container was only $9.

Example Pictures

Remember my Pinspired Paper Flowers? Here are some side by side pictures before and after the light box:

Before and After Light Box
Pinspired Paper Flowers: Pictures on the left taken with an HTC One S Camera Phone under fluorescent lighting during a cloudy day. Pictures on the right taken with Nikon D3200 in light box during a cloudy day.

I still need a bit more practice working in the light box to get the right exposure. I really like how soft the lighting and shadows are in the light box.

Here is another example, using my Faux Antique Crystal Chandelier Earrings. First the before shot, which was my original "attention grabber" picture:

Faux Antique Crystal Chandelier Earrings

I took this picture with my HTC One S Camera Phone in the bathroom at work. Haha!

Now here are my unedited pictures from the light box:

Faux Antique Cyrstal Chandelier Earrings

After making the above collage, I decided to try lightening it all up:

Faux Antique Cyrstal Chandelier Earrings

What do you think of my light box pictures? Are you considering making your own light box?

Alternatives to the Light Box

Instead of making a light box, here are some ways to capture your natural lighting better:

White Foam Boards - Not only a great backdrop, but they bounce back the light from your windows. (image courtesy of I Heart Nap Time)
Roller Shade and Foam Board for instant photography studio (image courtesy of In My Own Style)

Tin Foil Reflectors and Tissue Paper diffusers
Here are two ideas in one: 1) Use Tin Foil as reflectors - can be used in combination with foam board. 2) Tape tissue paper to a window for either a background or diffused lighting (image courtesy of Handmadeology)

I think I might try a combination of these solutions. Tissue paper taped to a window might help with harsh lighting conditions, since all of my windows face south.

So what do you think? Are you planning on setting up your own Light Box or Natural Lighting Photography set up? Have you made your own Photography Set Up?

We would love it if you share your work with us at Photog Show and Tell! It is a monthly photography link party designed to promote practicing our photography skills and sharing tips and tricks with each other. Hope to see you there!

Featured on:  Sharing with Domestic Superhero

Linking To:  Give Me the Goods Monday | Show & Share Wednesday | Sharing with Domestic Superhero | Talking About Thursday | What to do Weekends | Pin Me | Freedom Friday | Creatively Tuesday

47 comments:

  1. Great ideas!!! Thanks so much for the informative photography ideas. I have the hardest time finding good lighting and its gray here, but not Seattle gray so I dont even have a good excuse. Def looking into these.

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  2. We have the "gray" problem here in Pittsburgh, too. Blah. I made one of the cardboard light boxes, and it has definitely helped, but you're right-- storage is a pain. Our new DSLR came in this week, and I am totally dying over it. Even with having no clue what I'm doing yet, the pictures are 1000% better than my point and shoot. Keep posting all of your photography tips...I'm going to need them!! ;) Happy Monday!

    ~Abby =)

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  3. What an awesome post and DIY is the way to go because so much photography equipment is outrageously expensive.. Bookmarked this page.. Thank you!!

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  4. Awesome Beth! Great pictures :) Awesome tips, too!

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  5. That's awesome! I am so glad you are enjoying your DSLR! Yeah, my point and shoot was pathetic. My camera phone actually took better pictures than it. I am really digging my DSLR. Happy Monday! (and haha, I responded to your previous post before seeing this one.) :)

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  6. Yay! Thanks for checking it out! I am really excited to work more with it.

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  7. Capturing that light can be a challenge. I hope this helps!

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  8. Very resourceful, the photos look so much better in natural light!

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  9. I've found great success with using white foam boards as a blank backdrop and to bounce the light. Our living room lets in a ton of light and since we're in the Sunshine State, it's the perfect recipe for blog photography. Still, there are many evenings when I'm up late at night, working on a project that I want to photograph and be done with, but instead, I have to wait until daylight comes. It's those moments that I wish I had a photo light box. Thanks for sharing your process! I'll definitely refer to this if and when I create my own.

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  10. OMG this is so cool!! Thanks so much for sharing! I live in Vancouver, Canada so I totally understand the lack of sun :( Thanks for linking up to Give Me The Goods link party! Can't wait to see what you link up next week ;)
    Jamie @ somuchbetterwithage.com

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  11. Then you totally understand my lighting conditions, neighbor! :)

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  12. Thanks for checking it out! You are lucky with your "Sunshine State." Seattle is the suicide capitol of the country. I don't mind the gray weather, but it does suck for photography. I do want to try the foam board with natural lighting too. :)

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  13. Thanks for the DIY. Pinning this to my photography board on Pinterest.

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  14. Awesome! I always struggle with light, esp if I can't take my food photos outside or if it's too late in the day!
    Amanda

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  15. Great ideas! I am pinning this! Thanks for sharing at Domestic Superhero Sharing Thursdays!

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  16. [...] The snow was quite shocking, since we did not have any snow all winter. It has since been typical Seattle gray, but today the sun decided to come out and [...]

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  17. Great idea with the use of the plastic bin! What a big difference!

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  18. I love the plastic bin! I just cut up an 18" x 18" cardboard box and cut out 3 sides and covered the sides with white fabric. I'm really really happy with the way pictures come out. I hate having to wait until daylight to take pictures. I think it's going to work out great. Next time, PLASTIC BIN! Thanks, Linda

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  19. Love the idea of using a plastic container. I finally got around to putting my collapsible box up and taking pics of it but I just haven't had the time to post it.

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  20. [...] we have a great tutorial from Bethany on how to make your own Light Box. This is super handy for bloggers or people who just want better pictures in [...]

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  21. This was super popular at my link party last week, thanks so much for sharing it! I am featuring it today, so come on by and grab a featured button and link up with us again! http://domesticsuperhero.com/2013/04/04/sharing-with-domestic-superhero-thursday-5/

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  22. Thank you so much! I am heading over there now!

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  23. What a wonderful idea to use a plastic storage bin! I love that it will hold all of the lights and supplies when you're not using them. I struggle with the Seattle gray, too - we get so few nice days for natural light, it really can be challenging. I've not taken the time to build a light box yet, but I know I need to. Your jewelry photos were beautiful!

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  24. Thank you! It really was so simple to make. I really like the idea of using the bin to store all my supplies. Currently everything is still set up ready for pictures in the guest room, but when I have a guest, it will be so easy to take apart and stow it. Setting it back up will take less than 5 minutes. Definitely helps with the Seattle Gray weather. Although it seems like the sun is trying to come out today. Wasn't it supposed to be gray and raining all weekend? :D

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  25. I was going to do the cardboard box too. I saw someone else use the plastic bin and just thought that was genius. Since the most expensive part for me was the lighting, the plastic bin just made it easier and gives me a place to stow it all. Thanks for dropping by!

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  26. I checked out your collapsible box. Genius with the (non-brand) velcro straps. Before I found the idea of using a plastic storage bin, this was the route I was planning to take. Thanks for sharing it with us!

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  27. Oops. Spoke too soon! It's back to Seattle gray and raining.

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  28. Pinned. What a great idea! Thanks for the awesome tips! And I'm an ngnrdgrl too! or at least was... :) Stopping by from craftsalamode's linky.

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  29. Using the white foam box is a cool idea.

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