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I am gonna guess that this thread belongs here.... but i am not sure.

I built a new light box today, I found some stencil sheets with some of my brothers stuff and he was nice enough to give them to me. I got an old box in the garage, did some slicing and dicing. added some sheets of plain white computer paper to the inside. and Then took some pics. I will be going back and taking some comparison shots to my previous box with the same models.
let me know what you think!

...This is what my photos have been missing. A light box.

More detailed pictures, I am missing something. Like, where does the mini go? And where should you point the lights and from what distance, what are the measurements for the box?

Hmmmm.... I've been needing to make myself a lightbox, any chance you could post up in this thread a tutorial, picture or written with dimensions by any chance?

Heres some more detailed pics and explination per request.

The box in an old beer box i got from work lol

box size (give or take a 1/4 in) before cutting into it, H:11in, L:13, W:9-3/4
I cut holes into the sides just slightly smaller than the stencil sheets, taped the stencil sheets to the box.
My lights, are simple desk lamps with flexible necks.

I place the lamps about 4-6 in away from stencil sheets.



i have 100watt bulbs in the lamps (or equivalent as one is a spiral bulb)

what it looks like with minis in it



close up on the minis


Auspex marine close up (oops.. didn't rotate lol)

Thanks dude, great help ^^

Ive always used a half assed version of that, but it doesnt always take the best of pictures. I never thought about cutting holes in the sides like that (durp on my part) Good idea and very simple. Ill be taking this idea for sure.

the thing i read about how to make one, uses tracing paper... and alas I have none floating around, but like i said i found the stencil sheets which i think work out a lot better. it really is simple, it took me seriously like five min to make.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
oops double post

You need a hole (covered in white) in the top of the box & a lamp to shine through it. That'll kill those pesky shadows once and for all.

Eric

MagickalMemories wrote:You need a hole (covered in white) in the top of the box & a lamp to shine through it. That'll kill those pesky shadows once and for all.

Eric

i've thought about this too, but i lack another lamp to use for this. the room light i do not think will work too well... i could give it a try though.

My plan is to use my desk lamp for top lighting and two, very powerful white LED torches for side lighting.

I wouldn't use a hole in the top, just angle the side lighting differently and put a white piece of paper in the top to reflect the light.

Also, most light boxes use a seamless paper background, not two pieces.

Overall, though, it looks fantastic.

Fizyx wrote:I wouldn't use a hole in the top, just angle the side lighting differently and put a white piece of paper in the top to reflect the light.

Also, most light boxes use a seamless paper background, not two pieces.

Overall, though, it looks fantastic.

right, all i had lying around the house, but yeah, a piece of heavy white paper to avoid that seam is highly recomended

I'll try making one, it looks inexpensive and super awesome!

Though I'll follow this tutorial where he uses tissue paper.
http://digital-photography-school.com/how-to-make-a-inexpensive-light-tent

The tutorial that originally read was very similar to Iziraths post, it called for tissue/tracing paper/or embrodary (sp?) cloth. But i never found my old art supplies filled with tracing paper, so I had to sub in the stencil paper when i found it, and it works quite well.

Fizyx wrote:I wouldn't use a hole in the top, just angle the side lighting differently and put a white piece of paper in the top to reflect the light.

Also, most light boxes use a seamless paper background, not two pieces.

Overall, though, it looks fantastic.

If you do a google search, you'll find that all of the quality "home made" lockboxes have all 3 of those sides cut out for light access.
With only two lights on the side, you'll always have a shadow SOMEWHERE.

Eric

MagickalMemories wrote:

Fizyx wrote:I wouldn't use a hole in the top, just angle the side lighting differently and put a white piece of paper in the top to reflect the light.

Also, most light boxes use a seamless paper background, not two pieces.

Overall, though, it looks fantastic.

If you do a google search, you'll find that all of the quality "home made" lockboxes have all 3 of those sides cut out for light access.
With only two lights on the side, you'll always have a shadow SOMEWHERE.

Eric

My camera actually has a small light on it as well, so I can get some light coming in from the front as well as the sides. i'll need to see if i can dig up another light of some sort around here but as long as (and seems to work well now) my pics are turning out better than before i am happy.