This is the 'after' taking 65 pictures using my new light box' result below. I used 3200 and 6400 ISO depending on the light I needed. LOVE this photo. Edited all the photos using Picmonkey.
The making a light box idea is from Oh Mrs. Tucker. Great tutorial on her blog. She has clear photos and instructions. I strongly suggest you follow her directions if you try this project for yourself.
I made small additions to Mrs. Tucker's light box instructions. I cut the back width by 2 inches and added 3 velcro attachments on the back/side joins (instead of 2).
First (below) I tried with 2 white foam boards. Inside, house lights, used 3200 and 6400 ISO depending on the amount of light I needed. Not bad, quite a bit of shadow but better than usual.
I had some unstructured time last Saturday afternoon, picked up my supplies at Staples and Michaels. Bought way more than my list indicated but had fun looking and picking and thinking about making things. Mini holiday.
I bought 5 pieces of white foam board, 1 piece of black foam board, 4 pieces of vellum paper, a roll of sticky backed velcro and a piece of black poster board.
This Saturday I set to work. Got the suggested tools ready. Cleared off the kitchen table.
I managed to stick the velcro on the wrong areas so I was glad I had bought extra. Quick fix was adding more velcro in the correct areas.
Cutting the hole for the vellum (1/2 inch smaller than the sheet of vellum) on the first board worked fine so I traced the cut out and ... cut in the wrong part of the second white board. Flipped it and used the outside with all the pencil marks as the inside (and added the additional velcro). The removable top piece (lid) was measured to centre in the space then cut out. I glued the sheets of vellum on the outside of each 'window' foam board pieces.
I used one piece of foam board as the base. It isn't attached. I did find I had to put one of the 'cut out' pieces underneath where the back line showed, to raise the bottom board to diminish the 'line' in photos.
Sunday I decided to cut 2 inches off the width of the back piece of the 'box' and add extra velcro to the middle joins for stability.

Below: Back view of light box with lamps.
I had one clip-on light which I put on the back of a chair pointed to one vellum 'window'. For the other side I stacked some books on a chair and used my white (painted) lamp without its shade. I didn't have a light for the top. (On Sunday I picked up a suitable gooseneck lamp from my booth and brought it home to use, just what I needed).
Below are front views of the light box with the lights on.
I found that the kitchen windows let in a lot of 'glare light' on many of my photos. I will change the position of the 'light box' so it is facing a wall of furniture for daytime shots. The photo below was taken Sunday with the box turned away from the window light.
The box comes apart easily and the pieces can stand in a small space beside a table, behind a chair... until needed.
Saturday I tried out the large piece of black poster board (on the back/base inside the light box) and fell in love.
A few well aged sea shells joined the party.
I haven't had so much fun making something for ages. Well, maybe the best fun was setting up my camera on a tripod and switching out 75 beautiful items in the white box and taking pictures.
Check out We Are: Camco to see a 2 foam board simple white background/base for taking photos.
Thanks for visiting.
I will be back again on Thursday with a new post.
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Fantastic idea, Joy! I remember when I was sewing for the Etsy shop I used simple white foam board. But it made a lot of difference. And photos are everything!
ReplyDeleteBrenda
Neat! NOW I understand what a light box is. A new tool is so exciting.
ReplyDeleteOh my, this looks awesome! Thank you so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely week.
FABBY
Great job Joy! I am working on one. The instructions I have say to tape a piece of poster board at the top of the back piece and curve it down to the bottom piece. That way you don't have a line where the back and the bottom meet. Is that clear as mud? LOL I just can't seem to find the time to work on mine. Glad you got yours done. Love the effect and especially the black. WOW
ReplyDeleteJudy
Very nice! I made one of those some time ago from a tutorial I found online. They come in very handy! Great post.
ReplyDeleteThat is great!!! And your photos look wonderful..perfect for those dark winter days when there simply is no light.
ReplyDeleteJen
What a great project, thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI'm stopping by from Lou Lou Girls. What a great idea! I definitely need to make something like this.
ReplyDeleteGreat job! I've been meaning to make one of these for awhile now! Stopping by from the Lou Lou girls! Would love for you to come visit me sometime! gatheredinthekitchen.com
ReplyDeleteI had a white fabric cube that sort of did the same thing, but I could never seem to get enough light into it for a clear photo. I gave up and started using flash. :-(
ReplyDeleteThanks for this post explaining how to make this light box. Your photos look wonderful.
ReplyDeleteYour pictures are amazing. Thanks for the lesson.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing. Your photos are great!!
ReplyDeleteOMGosh! You made the box. This made my day! I love your adjustments, too. Fab!
ReplyDeleteYour photos and light box look great, Joy! Thanks for letting us know where to find the tutorial, I'll have to add this to my long to-do list! -Dawn @ We Call It Junkin.com
ReplyDeleteJust looking at your pictures has convinced me I need a light box! Next Amazon purchase! (I admire that you tackled this but I am a "Buy it" person.
ReplyDeleteI guess I need to make a light box, too. (Or purchase one :>) ) Love your photos. I am wondering if it collapses for easy storage?
ReplyDeleteGreat job! Love the pic of the shells! I need to revamp my box...still not just the way it should be! But it sure makes a difference doesn't it?? Thanks for sharing at Blissful Whites Wednesday!
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely day!
Becky
Great! Now I know what a light box means :)) Great job! Found you via LouLou Girls!
ReplyDeleteComing over from Revi's blog.
ReplyDeleteThis is fabulous. Thanks for all the photos!!!
I need a big light box! ANYTHING to help my photography...thanks for sharing your experiences with us. My cogs are turning...:)
ReplyDeleteRevi
Love your post! Pinned! Thank you for being part of our party. Please come and show off on Monday at 7. We would love it! Happy Saturday! Lou Lou Girls
ReplyDeleteI love how you showed all your errors! It really makes me feel like I could do this and make mistakes and still be happy as heck. I like knowing the person who did it isn't perfect. Bless you : )
ReplyDeleteI really need to do this! Love how you showed different photos. thanks for sharing with SYC.
ReplyDeletehugs,
Jann