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Forty's Foto Tips, #2: Make a light box!
Article Header Image
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.



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tags Tags Forty's Foto Tips, HOW-TO, lighting, photography, selling, tips
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27 comments     Login to add your own!
christysquilts says:

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)


9/21/07 at 11:54a.m.
christysquilts says:

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


9/21/07 at 11:55a.m.
knuckletoes says:

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


9/21/07 at 7:16p.m.
WarmandFuzzyBaby says:

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


9/22/07 at 7:40p.m.
beadbooty says:

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


9/23/07 at 7:15a.m.
hookinmama says:

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!


9/23/07 at 10:00a.m.
beadbooty says:

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.


9/26/07 at 11:49a.m.
kjoo says:

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


9/26/07 at 12:30p.m.
LobesOfFun says:

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!


9/26/07 at 9:00p.m.
Etsy Admin Chillionaire says:

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


9/27/07 at 4:53p.m.
addition says:

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


9/29/07 at 12:27p.m.
coffeelatte says:

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!


10/30/07 at 9:25a.m.
dorkdesigns says:

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


11/13/07 at 3:26p.m.
carriekim says:

Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!


1/9/08 at 12:18p.m.
jmillen says:

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!


1/9/08 at 1:22p.m.
jumpinstego says:

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


1/22/08 at 11:25p.m.
Nafsika says:

Very useful article indeed!!!


4/21/08 at 3:39a.m.
TiTasTreasures says:

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!


6/7/08 at 9:11a.m.
SunriseCreationsInc says:

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!


6/24/08 at 12:54a.m.
joannafaithdesigns says:

I can't wait to make mine!


7/30/08 at 12:48a.m.
patricewright says:

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.


8/8/08 at 4:14p.m.
LeverageDesigns says:

Thanks so so much.


8/15/08 at 9:01p.m.
AmandaYuDesign says:

Thanks a lot!

It's a very helpful lesson :)))

*bow*


8/19/08 at 3:35p.m.
SixSkeins says:

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!


8/22/08 at 7:34a.m.
noelya says:

Thanks for the advice.


8/23/08 at 3:06p.m.
BebeToby says:

Thanks for sharing the great tips!


8/25/08 at 5:32p.m.
braziliansparadise says:

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


8/28/08 at 1:26a.m.
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