Lightbox Construction..

[ItsMike]

Construct you own lightbox? I am going to make one this weekend..

2 Q's

1. What kind of material to use for the backdrop.. (Yes I was thinking of a bed sheet..)
2. What would be the most Cost affective lights to use.. ( There are so many outthere I just want Cheap but works)

Thanks..

Mike

[Extirpate]

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=281524&highlight=lightbox

there is a giant thread about this. Hope this helps.

[Cathpah]

good luck and let us know how it turns out!

[Sathi]

I wouldn't use a bedsheet. I bought some black fabric that is similiar to a bed sheet and it did not make a good backdrop. You can see obvious detail and the fabric weave in the pictures. I am maybe going to try and look for black velvet stuff like what is in a jewelry box. For a white backgrop I used white tissue paper which worked well.

I bought 2 500watt halogen work lights from home depot for $12 each. They are bright enough to let me hand hold shots at f11, 1/80, 200iso. They do kick out allot of heat though...

I made the lightbox out of foam core boards that I got from an arts and crafts store. It is held together by self adhesive velcro straps. This way I can take the box apart and take it with me.

[TeamSpeed]

I use two light stands with the Sunlight 100w CFL bulbs, do a quick shot for custom white balance, and everything is easy after that. No heat to speak of, and the light from these two are very good.