Your Lightbox Setup

JonB · 7 May 2007 at 13:39

So im going to be doing some product photography for a friends company in the next couple of weeks and decided to have a go at making a lightbox and take a few practice shots.

Obviously there are some flaws with my setup, such as bad lighting, not lining the box with white and the box being a bit too small, but this was my very first attempt and I only spent 10 minutes making it. I think it produced some pretty decent results for a very basic attempt:

My room is not very good, lighting wise. I only have one little tiny skylight, so I placed the box under there and it actually lit it up quite nicely, but for my next attempt I think I'll be using some white light lamps in the garage and lighting it from three different angles! (Top, Left, Right). (Thats what the holes were for, but this box is a bit too small!)

By far the best shot I produced. Just as the sun was out

These three were the other better shots, although they are a bit dark. I also think that the reflections on the screen distract from the overall product.

I also took some of my ipod but it was hard to get it to stand up, and the screen looked naff.

robertgilbert86 · 7 May 2007 at 13:43

A polariser will probably help get rid of reflections.

When I took photos of my lomo for auction I just used a normal angle poise lamp (with normal bulb) and a sheet of card. I'll dig out the photos when I get home.

JonB · 7 May 2007 at 13:43

Having trouble getting it to stand up. Not a bad photo and you can't really make out the background, but obviously my hand spoils it.

I then tried it top down, obvious shadow problems though.

I then decided to push my "invisible background right into the depths of the box. This allowed it to stand up a little better which finally allowed me to produce this:

I just think it looks too obviously propped up against something and therefore a bit naff, but hey some might like it.

All of these were taken with a nikon D40 and the standard lens you get. 18-50mm.

Does anyone else have lightbox experiences?

Messiah Khan · 7 May 2007 at 15:35

As promised, heres some pics of my newly made ghetto effort, and a quick test shot. In need to get hold of a better light with a more natural bulb, as this ones far to yellow.

Apologies for the flower image being a bit soft, but the flower is actually really tiny, so it was a bit hard to focus and im using a zoom lens attachment to get closer.

nolimit · 7 May 2007 at 15:47

backlit the background with your Dell monitor!

Messiah Khan · 7 May 2007 at 15:47

What, with ocuk blue light?

JonB · 7 May 2007 at 16:12

Just set it to an all white image as your screensaver?

Messiah Khan · 7 May 2007 at 16:28

JonB said:
Just set it to an all white image as your screensaver?

Unfortunately it doesn't throw out nearly enough light.