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Most of the models i take a picture of at home turn out very dark, whats the best way to make a quick light box?

Bent wire frame, drape a thin white cloth over it, shine lights on the sides.

Or make a box with an open front and top from sheets of white polystyrene, shine the light in from above. (very hard to keep the polystyrene sheets clean though)

I just broke down and bought one. It's collapsiable with a case and choice of 4 different backgrounds. It's awesome for just taking it outside, plunking it on the picnic table on a sunny day and going to town. $20 and well worth it. Hot Linky-link Action

As easy as it would be to buy one I just can't afford to at the moment but I still have a few questions;

What sort of light should I use?
Do I wait till it's sunny outdoors then take the pictures?
Do i use a certain type of bulb or lamp?

Here's a link;

http://www.digital-photography-school.com/how-to-make-a-inexpensive-light-tent


I've made a few light tents like the one linked and they work just fine.

A good suggestion for lights is to get a couple clip-on desk lamps from Target, Walmart, etc. Should be less than $15 total, and it's two OK, if not exceptional, lights.

If you did some searching you would have found your answer pretty easy. That topic has been done a few times now.

Heres a good start.

http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/317430.page

This thing. Twenty bucks gets you an 8" light box with back drop, a pair of rather nice lights, and a tripod for your camera. Perfect for miniature photography.

You want as much light as possible, it just needs to be diffuse (hence the translucent material). The more ambient light, the better. Plunking your box down outside on a sunny day means you don't need as many lamps (if any) to get the same amount of light.

For bulbs, you want bright, clean, white light. Full spectrum/daylight bulbs put out tons of light for their wattage, last for years and years, and won't give your pics the yellow tinge that incandescent bulbs sometimes will. They cost a bit more than CFLs, which cost more than incandescents, but the lifespan helps mitigate the cost and the light quality is worth an extra buck or two per bulb, especially since they'll help in painting, as well.