Another DIY light box, with build and test pics

Hi everybody. I stubbled upon this forum looking for a good DIY lightbox idea. I like what I see but have a couple questions.

1. Would it help or harm if I lined the inside of the box with Silver mylar or maybe white paint?

2. What about the top of the lightbox. Under what circumstances would it be recommended to open the top and have lighting from the top?

I photograph a lot of aluminum and chrome items and am concerned with the brown cardboard parts reflecting anywhere on what ever I photograph.

Thanks for all input.

The entire inside should be white. Any bit that is not white has the chance to throw off the coloring as well as not reflecting very well in a metal surface. You can cut the top out for light. Just cover the hole with something that is semi transparent but also will blend in in the reflections. See examples earlier in this thread. You do not want silver as it will reflect rather harshly.

This is one nice thread.
Cool!

Using a Rebel XSi with a 60mm lens on a tripod. Studio set-up includes black material, hanging from the wall & two desk lamps. Thoughts?

More...

I like the effect of the black background! I particlarly like the second one in your first post And my, what interesting chest-appendages the second chap has got!

Great work


David

Yep - the 2nd one of Thor looks terrific. I think the angle you shot at makes it a great pic - different angle as most would snap it straight on in level with the figurine.

They are not to bad. But there is no real definition to separate them from the background. The dark colors all but blend in. You may need 2 more lights to shine from behind the figures to act as a rim light and make a seperation from the background.

Hehe, nice one funkybuddha

I put together a quick light box last night and played around with my new 430exII. This took a bit of photoshoping to correct the color as I had a hard time WB'ing it properly. I think the paper I used is too transparent and the warmness of the worklights is coming through far too much. But here is the best of my first images after some tweaking!

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Sweet jesus! that's awesome.

What type of bulb should I use for cooler/whiter lighting? The ones used seem to have a warmer/amberish lighting.

awesome , will definitely be trying this soon.

I just finished my light box tonight. 1/2" white foam core on all sides, Lowe's work light diffused through a sheet of 20LB white paper on the right side, open cut-out on the left with a 580EXII shooting behind the subject to blow out the background. Here's what I came up with after some white balance adjustments, curves, and background clean-up.

Critiques always welcomed. =)