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In an effort to take better mini photographs, I decided to get a light box. I always used plenty of light and a blank backdrop, but the colors always seemed off and lines seemed much harsher than how they appear to the eye. A professional light box or light tent goes for about $50. For a two hours of effort and $5, you can make your own.

Material list:
Plastic crate (any sort of box can work, even cardboard)
Light diffuser (slightly opaque plastic to soften light)
Fabric backdrop (paper is possible also)
Cardboard
Hot glue + Glue gun
Black mat board (or paper or painted cardboard) (optional)

Step one:


Clean up the crate or box. Make one open side to photograph through. In this case, the top is open on the crate and I will turn it on it's side.

Step two:


Cut an opening in the side to place the light diffusers. With the crate, it's easy to clip out an equal sized hole and it leaves a lip to set the diffuser on.

Step three:



This light diffuser started as a magazine organizer. It can be anything that softens light and preferably wont change the color of the light at all. Cut it down to the same size as the holes in the box.

Step four:


Next, measure some cardboard to line the bottom and back of the crate. If you're using a box, you can probably skip the step, but it may be more difficult to glue in the backdrop.

Step five:


Take the pieces of cardboard and lay them out on your backdrop fabric. Leave a slight gap between them to compensate for the drape of the fabric inside the box. Trim the fabric to a little larger than the cardboard.

You don't want the backdrop fabric glued flat to the cardboard. You want there to be a drape in the fabric to give the illusion of the background the goes on further than it does so the camera only focuses on the model. As far as fabric choice, I used a heather grey jersey. You should use a neutral background or a gradient and something that wont reflect too much light.

Step six:



Roll over the very top and very bottom edges of the two pieces of cardboard. Do not glue the inside edges. On the bottom piece of cardboard, I glued it down on both sides of the edge to keep it stable. Note the drape when it is standing. At this point, I ironed the fabric to get rid of any wrinkles to keep it smooth.

Step seven:


Line the insides of the crate with glue and place in the cardboard pieces. You can manipulate the fabric in the box by shaking the box lightly and get it to have a natural and smooth drape.

Step eight:


Here I moved the edges of the backdrop aside and glued down some of the corners to keep it all smooth. Don't pull too tightly and don't glue down too far to affect the draped part.

Step nine: (optional)


Since this crate is open on the top, I used black mat board to seal it. I plan on getting a ring light for my camera and not using a top-down light, I decided to seal mine. You can add another light diffuser to the top and use a third light source that way. Two side light sources are fine also.

Done!


Here it is on my desk with two models inside.


Comparisons:

Lightbox:


Without lightbox:


I need one more desk light for a proper lighting setup. My overhead lamp is not nearly as bright as the other. With correct lighting and a ring light for the camera, I think the setup will be ideal.

I feel like it's a better image and a lot less harsh, so, Mission accomplished!

i think the image taken without the lightbox looks better, sans dowels.

I have one I've built thats similar to this. I use a light on either side which works pretty good.
You might want to change the drop cloth your using for one with less of a pattern to it. I use some thin sheets of craft foam for mine which came in a pack with 5 colors, or posterboard if I want white.

I like how you used the plastic crate and frosted plastic for diffuser. If I build a second box I may have to use that idea.

TheVacahaha wrote:i think the image taken without the lightbox looks better, sans dowels.

While it is brighter, it is less accurate in color and less pleasing to the eyes. The photo without the lightbox does a good job showing the brightest highlights, but it really washes out any of the smoothness in the highlights. I'm quite certain with a better second light it'll be perfect.

less pleasing to the eyes.

Very relative to the viewer. I tend to agree that the non-lightbox pic looks much better.

However, I think that you might be right about needing a better light source. I think a couple of light sources through the softener will prove your lightbox worthy. Its just the photos that you submitted did not support it. When you post new pics we will review and reply.