Etsy's Handmade Blog
Forty's Foto Tips, #2: Make a light box!
Story by Chillionaire
Published on September 20, 2007 in How-To 		Photo by chillionaire

Ahoy! Thanks for stopping by my advice column in The Storque. I'm no professional photographer, but I figured that would just make it easier for me to pass on some fun and simple tips that can help anyone! If you have any suggestions, please feel free to email me at Lori@etsy.com. Here's the first tip. Come back soon for more installments!

Tip #2: Make a light box!

We made one for the Etsy Labs using things found around the office and some info from Instructables.com. Here's the Instructable: "Costless Macro Photography Light Box" by PetervG.

They're tres economical and make a world of difference in your photos! Try to find yourself an easily portable lamp. It doesn't have to be battery operated, but small desk lamps with telescopic parts can really make lighting your pieces much less stressful, and you can drag it all over your house. Lighting is essential when trying to take up-close images and a flash will create unwanted glare. Make sure your head or camera isn't between the light and the object or you will get an awkward shadow. I find it's best to set up the light box on a table so you don't kill your back contorting yourself to take pictures on the floor. Once you have a light box set up and ready to roll, practice using the macro setting on your camera, if you have one. 

 

This will allow you to get nice and close but still have a clear picture. If you don't have a "close up" setting, try standing back from the object and zooming in.

Tags Forty's Foto Tips, HOW-TO, light box, lighting, photographing, photography, Seller Handbook, selling, tips
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70 comments     Login to add your own!

Sept. 21, 2007 at 11:54 a.m. christysquilts

I made one very similar to the one you have posted:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/christys...

differences, I used white posterboard for the sides/back instead of cutting holes in the box and I put the lights on the front - pointing at the top and walls not directly at the item to prevent shadows. Light boxes work great! (same item as pictured from the above set up)

Sept. 21, 2007 at 11:55 a.m. christysquilts

ooops, i forgot to include the pic i was mentioning: http://www.flickr.com/photos/christys...

Sept. 21, 2007 at 7:16 p.m. knuckletoes

Why this never occurred to me, I do not know, thanks for the tip!

Sept. 22, 2007 at 7:40 p.m. WarmandFuzzyBaby

Thank you ofr the tips. Photography is my biggest weakness.

Sept. 23, 2007 at 7:15 a.m. beadbooty

Thank you. I see a light box in my future!

Sept. 23, 2007 at 10 a.m. hookinmama

This is such a wonderful ideal! I have been taking my pics outside, but I think this is great for when you can't get out or you find something late at night that you just have to list right then and there. I am definitely going to try this!

Sept. 26, 2007 at 11:49 a.m. beadbooty

I made my lightbox this week and it has made a tremendous difference in my photos. I'll never be a great photographer but at least my photos will now reflect the true beauty of the pieces I work hard to create.

Sept. 26, 2007 at 12:30 p.m. kjoo

This was very useful I need something like that!Thank you so much for sharing!

Sept. 26, 2007 at 9 p.m. LobesOfFun

I am quite appreciative that you put this up for us. The link easy to access and read. I just found Etsy and love the community within. Creative people are awesome!

Sept. 27, 2007 at 4:53 p.m. Chillionaire

I'm glad everyone is enjoying this tip! If you have any photos of your homemade light boxes or pics that you've taken using your light box, feel free to link us so we can see how well they turned out

xo

Sept. 29, 2007 at 12:27 p.m. addition

Make sure you get a daylight balanced bulb for your pics,not a tungsten and that you put your camera on daylight setting.
Play with the setting in your camera, you can pick from vivid-more color saturation
or standard. I would highly recommend getting the amateur photoshop, it can cure many photo ills!

See my photos!

addition.etsy.com
additions for your walls

Oct. 30, 2007 at 9:25 a.m. coffeelatte

Thank you - living in the NW, it can be pretty grey outside and I am not happy with a lot of my inside shots. This will be a real help -- and thanks, too, for the note about choosing the right bulb!

Nov. 13, 2007 at 3:26 p.m. dorkdesigns

Thanks for the tip. I will be making a lighting box tonite

Jan. 9, 2008 at 12:18 p.m. carriekim

Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!

Jan. 9, 2008 at 1:22 p.m. jmillen

AHHH, thanks for this! I made a light box from another site and it just didn't do the trick.
It said to light thru the tissue paper sides...
I had lights all over the place, my pics were better but still not great!

Jan. 22, 2008 at 11:25 p.m. jumpinstego

thanks for the lightbox tips! very helpful. a question: who makes those amazing necklaces with state-shaped pendants??? i want one.

April 21, 2008 at 3:39 a.m. Nafsika

Very useful article indeed!!!

June 7, 2008 at 9:11 a.m. TiTasTreasures

This is very helpful!

After my shop was critiqued I was pretty bummed bc I need to work on some of my photos...and at the time I didnt know how...ta da!!! THANKS!

June 24, 2008 at 12:54 a.m. SunriseCreationsInc

Thanks for the tips. Getting good pictures is a challenge and though mine are getting better, I think a light box would be a big help. thanks!

July 30, 2008 at 12:48 a.m. joannafaithdesigns

I can't wait to make mine!

Aug. 8, 2008 at 4:14 p.m. patricewright

I made one! It works so well, I can't believe how much better my pics look. mine works best when I use it outside. I put a white sheet over the top so I dont have shadows.

Aug. 15, 2008 at 9:01 p.m. LeverageDesigns

Thanks so so much.

Aug. 19, 2008 at 3:35 p.m. AmandaYuDesign

Thanks a lot!

It's a very helpful lesson :)))

*bow*

Aug. 22, 2008 at 7:34 a.m. SixSkeins

Brilliant. I know what I'll be making this weekend! I have wondered for so long how people get their lighting and backgrounds so wonderful - thanks for sharing the secrets!

Aug. 23, 2008 at 3:06 p.m. noelya

Thanks for the advice.

Aug. 25, 2008 at 5:32 p.m. BebeToby

Thanks for sharing the great tips!

Aug. 28, 2008 at 1:26 a.m. braziliansparadise

Amazing !! thanks for sharing :) I cant wait to try one out

Sept. 15, 2008 at 8:31 p.m. ArtsOfTheOzarks

Love this idea! I have to try this!

Sept. 17, 2008 at 12:35 p.m. IrenaSophia

Thank you for the tip. I will definitely make one.

Sept. 29, 2008 at 11:24 a.m. dshekhter

Thanks for the help!

Oct. 1, 2008 at 12:41 a.m. lynnetteart

So simple yet very effective!

Oct. 5, 2008 at 3:50 a.m. MonasMane

Lol! I want to laugh because this so easy and cheap- and perfect for me. I was stressing on lighting since I can't really afford anything extensive, you know since I'm a broke college student and all...(-:

Oct. 17, 2008 at 12:08 p.m. kohlcass

Perfect for when I want to take photos in the midle of the night, i.e. every day. Thank you!

Oct. 17, 2008 at 12:09 p.m. kohlcass

midDle

Nov. 3, 2008 at 10:35 p.m. jurphy

Thanks so much - I am going to try this tonight!!

Nov. 17, 2008 at 12:27 a.m. AuntTiff

I was desperately trying to figure out why everyone's photo's look so good and mine didn't. Thank you, I am building a light box tomarrow!

Nov. 24, 2008 at 9:23 p.m. loopiforyou

I made a lightbox yesterday! I love it and am currently updating my old dark and blurry photos for new crisper bright ones! THANKS!!! I also found that using my camera with a 10 second timer on a tripod helped a lot.

Nov. 30, 2008 at 4:57 a.m. enchantedpond

that's totally great ... i am a photographer and i like it alot !!! :)

Dec. 1, 2008 at 10:55 a.m. madisonssparrow

Thanks so much...I'm just starting out and need all the help I can get!

Dec. 6, 2008 at 10:41 p.m. thatspretty

ooohh I'm so excted for sleepless nights when I just cannot wait to take that photo!!!!!

Dec. 23, 2008 at 4:07 p.m. thepaintedsparrow

Thanks! I am going to get the supplies right now:)

Dec. 23, 2008 at 5:06 p.m. sstarlaa

I have the lamps, just not the box! I like the poster board idea. Really helpful!

Jan. 2, 2009 at 12:50 a.m. memorycatchers

Thanks for the tip. I'm just getting started and I've already been told my photos are too blurry. My problem is that I have shiny glittery glass ware that I am trying to photograph. I'll be trying this tomorrow to see if it works better.

Jan. 2, 2009 at 4:16 p.m. KimmareeJewelree

I love this idea. I started to make mine a week ago. I seen this idea on another website and felt that this was great since money is tight.

Jan. 13, 2009 at 5:20 p.m. PeaceComesInHandy

This tip has given me such joy! Thanks so much.

Feb. 2, 2009 at 1:30 a.m. KentwoodKreations

Thanks for the tips.I cant wait to make my lightbox and try it.

Feb. 2, 2009 at 9:41 p.m. GlazedOver

I'm curious to know whether this will work for very vertical pottery pieces. Does anyone have any experience with this or specific tips that can help?

Feb. 17, 2009 at 5:09 p.m. YourSpecialCharm

Thanks for all the good ideas! I'm going to make a box tonight as my photos are always cut off or too dark, etc. I love this format!

Feb. 24, 2009 at 9:58 p.m. ContagiousCreations

This is such a great necessity! Unfortunately I had made one but was getting frustrated with the unusual size of box i used and I threw it out! :(
I need to make another, pictures are not the same without the!

March 4, 2009 at 8:31 a.m. scottshandmadecrafts

I had read about making a light box, but thought it was too complicated. Now I'm all set to give it a try. I definetely need one since my house seems to be too dark for photos without a flash, even by a window.

March 4, 2009 at 3:08 p.m. CRe8n4uByLiSa

How very sweet of you to share you wonderful ideas!
Hope you're having a great day.
Lisa
>^..^<

March 14, 2009 at 12:14 a.m. InspirationByFlorna

I definitely would like to try and make the light box! Thanks for the advice!

March 19, 2009 at 10:02 p.m. nichan

if you really care about the photo make sure you buy portable lamp correctly...my husband bought me as cheap as possible (doesn't matter the quality). It's broken within some weeks (T_T). it's a waste

March 23, 2009 at 12:14 p.m. LaCasita

I am new to Etsy and have uploaded some stuff. . .took more pictures this morning. . .but I wish I would have read this first! . . .Logical, Easy, and Necessary if I'm gonna stay here! . . Thanks for the info!!!

March 27, 2009 at 1:09 p.m. simplewhimsies

Sooooo helpful! I am just setting up my shop today and haven't started with photography yet, I think you've saved me some BIG headaches! Thanks for the info...

April 20, 2009 at 1:50 p.m. SavonShoppe

I finally made my light box have yet to use so I appreciate the tips on where/where not to put camera. Thanks

May 25, 2009 at 11:28 p.m. CreativeArtCenter

I'm going to make a box tomorrow. My photos are always dark or yellow. Thank you very much for your help.

June 2, 2009 at 9:45 p.m. jmliss

This is great!! Thanks! No more rain outs now!!

June 25, 2009 at 10:01 p.m. VantasticDesigns

I use an empty closet. I removed all the clothes, placed a floor lamp that directs the light upwards, then have 2 lights, one to each side. Then I place a small table in the closet. It is so easy to change the backround...I have a yard each of black, white and gray fabric that I can drape over the table and voila! a miniature photo studio. I keep a bin in the closet with all sorts of props. When I am ready to shoot some new items everything is right in the closet ready to go!(It really helps to have the floor lamp!)

June 26, 2009 at 12:40 p.m. EelKat

I'll be making one of these in the next day or so. Thanks for the tip!

July 18, 2009 at 10:24 p.m. TodoCecilia

cooooooooooool!!!!!!!

Aug. 11, 2009 at 9:39 p.m. wildcubs

Pretty cool info. Editing photo information was every useful to me.

Aug. 28, 2009 at 12:33 a.m. sivansart

You light my imagination!! Thanks Sivan

Sept. 17, 2009 at 5:24 p.m. studiomeeshel

Thank you so much, Chillionaire! This is such an awesome idea, I'm gonna make one tonight and try to redo some or all of my photos. By tomorrow, my shop should see a much needed improvement! :)

Sept. 17, 2009 at 6:57 p.m. TheNightjar

great thanks a bunch

Oct. 9, 2009 at 10:55 p.m. studiomeeshel

Thanx again, my pics look so much better this time around :D

Oct. 10, 2009 at 7:47 p.m. AmaliArt

Thnak you for sharing, I'll try to make one too, I'm sure it will help me with my pics

Oct. 14, 2009 at 12:15 p.m. newsprout

Still need help! I made a light box this weekend and it did not work. I was bummed. My picutes turned out terrible. Still looks like indoor pictures, either too washed out or too dark. No depth to the photos, just flat and dim looking. I used poster foam board and two lights with bright white bulbs. What am I doing wrong?

Oct. 18, 2009 at 3:24 p.m. mssewsavvy

newsprout, what settings are you using on the camera? that may be the cuprit. I have been advised to set it to AWB-all white balance...check the camera's manual

Oct. 25, 2009 at 4:29 p.m. LondonParticulars

A world of difference!

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