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timscottrom · Joined: 04 Jun 2008 Posts: 78 Location: FRESNO... FresYES

After a few months of pain misery disaster and a surprising amount of success through trial and error (and alot of bad photos) photographing isolated items on a white piece of cardboard on a table out in the sunlight, I've just started to build a homemade PVC lightbox recommended by hospitalera and am really excited to get it made and test it out.

I'll update on my observations as it comes along.

Does anyone have comments on lights to choose, stories of homemade boxes, adaptations to plans found, any advice. No doubt this will be just the first in a ongoing series of tabletop gadgetry I will make.

Tim

http://www.pbase.com/wlhuber/light_box_light_tent

vclements · Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 11:22 am

These links may help...
They lead to real equipment..check them out

http://www.adorama.com/
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/

timscottrom · Joined: 04 Jun 2008 Posts: 78 Location: FRESNO... FresYES

Thanks for the links...

So, with just a bit of PVC and some table lamps with 75w spots, the initial tests seem pretty good. I am really excited about putting this new toy to use.

Stay tuned for beautiful additions to my portfolio!

Tim

mlopes · Joined: 31 Dec 2005 Posts: 362 Location: Lisbon

I've once built an home-made lightbox

Not like that one in pvc and fabric. Mine was a k-line lightcube with 4x100 daylight bulbs pointing inside and the external flash bouncing in the top of the box.

eventually with 400w of heat and sweat i've managed to produce some photos

http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-2835233-used-tennis-sneakers-isolated-in-white-background.html

Next step was to buy studio strobes ;) and invest in real equipment.

It's fun to build it... it's fun to see how things works ... i believe it's part of the process. But don't expect great things from it

vclements · Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 6:56 pm

peteklinger · Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 11:30 am

n:vision brand 100W fluorescent twist lamps, (and 75w) available at Home Depot, maybe other places. 5500K color temperature. Most others are 5200k or who knows what. I did this because it was the closest match to a Xenon flash.

White silk from a fabric store. This lets through more light than sheets and pillow cases and is a whiter white.

The color of the cloth and the color of the bulbs makes a difference. Your spots run hot, use more electricity and are on the yellow side of white.

By mixing the bulbs, I can change the lighting effects. 100w on sides, 75w from top and back which is closer. You can change the side and top lamps and get slight variations in the side lighting shadows.

60w or 75w bulbs under a piece of white Plexiglas and you have a nice washed out platform. Set exposure with the base lights off so they don't throw off the metering, turn them on... shoot.

I usually bracket shots, just in case. Shoot RAW and you can fine tune the white balance.

Example, not the best, but it shows the effect. I'm not positive if this was with the paper or with bottom lighting?

Nickels and Dimes

Buying a small tent with the correct color sides and top, is much easier. If you are into experimenting and building, have fun.

rinder99 · Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 12:19 am

Did you know you can get 2 tin cans and a string and make a Phone? Just Kidding. Looks like fun. But my clients wouldn't go for it.

timscottrom · Joined: 04 Jun 2008 Posts: 78 Location: FRESNO... FresYES

marxon · Joined: 22 Sep 2008 Posts: 27

I made the most ghetto lightbox from a cardboard box and some ikea lights.., I shot all the isolation pics in my portfolio with it. I think It works when you want it too... But if you have cash, but real stuff for sure..

Good luck

rinder99 · Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 4:50 pm

well, just about anything will work, but it's about versatility.instead of shooting static straight on stuff that most of the time look like e-bay Items. a roll of paper is actually the easiest.

davidcrehner · Joined: 20 Jul 2005 Posts: 4839

Have you got a camera? A tripod? A table near a window? Some white paper? Some white card, mirror or something else reflective?

You got all you need! :-)

rinder99 · Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 8:29 pm

dnsphotography · Joined: 13 Aug 2006 Posts: 34

I've been shooting with AlienBees for the past year. They are the best lights I have worked with thus far.

I've even written some reviews on some of my AlienBees equipment for BrightHub. Here, check them out, they will help you deceide on lights:

Review: AlienBees DigiBee Lighting Package
http://www.brighthub.com/multimedia/photography/reviews/58773.aspx

And

Review of AlienBees Foldable Giant Softbox With Speedring
http://www.brighthub.com/multimedia/photography/reviews/58775.aspx

I hope this helps!

Damien

rinder99 · Posted: Sat Dec 12, 2009 12:11 am

If there the best, then Maybe there the only Ones you've worked with. I've used them at location Workshops. I find them amateur at best.Of course there market Is amateur. There slave sensor will Bite you at the wrong time. and if your with a client?? Your screwed unless you know how to bypass them.sorry, thats my opinion.

davidcrehner · Joined: 20 Jul 2005 Posts: 4839

Check this out.

Oh, and this one.

;-)