Another DIY light box, with build and test pics

vikingshelmut wrote in post #7398101
Strange question, but where did you get your banner paper? I assume that because of your design your roll of banner paper is less then 20" wide. All I can find are rolls that are 24" wide. Did you cut one down or find a smaller roll?

i actually had to cut the end off. bought the banner paper at walmart

Gizmo1985 wrote in post #7398544
i actually had to cut the end off. bought the banner paper at walmart

That's what I thought. I found 24" rolls at Office Depot for like $6.50. How did you cut it off and keep a clean line BTW?

Also, anyone have a good recommendation on where to get a cheap price on two halogen lamps that seem so popular in this thread? All I can find are ones that are $15 each, which seems a little steep.

The halogen lamps I got were less then $10 at Menards, the only drawback is they get really really hot. Here's one of my test shots for a potential skin care client

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Does anyone know any way to get good results with polished metals that are reflective?

SpooledAWP wrote in post #7407358
Does anyone know any way to get good results with polished metals that are reflective?

It's a good idea to have a large source of diffused light for shiny and reflective objects. Direct heat lamps...even with paper in front, can be too concentrated and make hot spots on the objects.

SpooledAWP wrote in post #7407358
Does anyone know any way to get good results with polished metals that are reflective?

I can recommend a great book that has a whole chapter dedicated to shooting metal objects. It is called "Light Science & Magic" by Hunter, Biver & Fuqua. It really covers the concepts of lighting very well and also gives wonderful tips on shooting glassware too. Both metal and glassware can be so frustrating for me...and of course most of what I need to shot, are metal and glassware...d'oh!!

I picked up my copy of the book at Amazon, they have a Flickr forum as well. I have picked up a lot from there as well as here.

newb2pro_1day_or_so wrote in post #7407465
It's a good idea to have a large source of diffused light for shiny and reflective objects. Direct heat lamps...even with paper in front, can be too concentrated and make hot spots on the objects.

Don't forget on reflective objects you need to consider your reflection in the object too...so sometimes you will need a barrier between you and the object. I mean ya wanna avoid the "nekkid guy in the toaster" sort of picture. In case you never knew there was a guy selling on eBay a looong time back who was sneaking in shots of himself nekkid reflected in metal things like a toaster. Freaking funny as heck...but, well, nasty too...who knew what kinda hairs found their way into that toaster!!

brecklundin wrote in post #7407718
Don't forget on reflective objects you need to consider your reflection in the object too...so sometimes you will need a barrier between you and the object. I mean ya wanna avoid the "nekkid guy in the toaster" sort of picture. In case you never knew there was a guy selling on eBay a looong time back who was sneaking in shots of himself nekkid reflected in metal things like a toaster. Freaking funny as heck...but, well, nasty too...who knew what kinda hairs found their way into that toaster!!

Thanks for the advice. I'll definitely have to pick up that book. As for the reflection in the object, that seems to be my biggest problem at this point, aside from the overexposed spots due the flash reflection/wash out. Any tips for what to use as a barrier, etc. You can't really put anything between the lense, etc. so what do you suggest doing/using? Again, thanks for the advice.

I sent ya a PM!

Spooled:

Oh, goodness...I am far from an expert here. The tip about a LARGE diffuser is really important. A smaller diffuser will cause a brighter/stronger (think more concentrated) light on your subject. There is a neat thread around here for a really cool DIY diffuser made from a LARGE 18"-24" plastic salad bowl, some white nylon flag material, a 3" round mirror from the automotive department and a bit of spray paint. I'll dig up some links and send a reply to your PM in a bit so we don't hijack this thread. Plus I am bizzy on something else right now.

vikingshelmut wrote in post #7398877
That's what I thought. I found 24" rolls at Office Depot for like $6.50. How did you cut it off and keep a clean line BTW?

Also, anyone have a good recommendation on where to get a cheap price on two halogen lamps that seem so popular in this thread? All I can find are ones that are $15 each, which seems a little steep.

i think my lights were $10 each @ walmart.

Honestly, lol, I used a serated kitchen knife. TOOK FOREVER! Id recommend a hand saw.

brecklundin wrote in post #7408376
Spooled:

Oh, goodness...I am far from an expert here. The tip about a LARGE diffuser is really important. A smaller diffuser will cause a brighter/stronger (think more concentrated) light on your subject. There is a neat thread around here for a really cool DIY diffuser made from a LARGE 18"-24" plastic salad bowl, some white nylon flag material, a 3" round mirror from the automotive department and a bit of spray paint. I'll dig up some links and send a reply to your PM in a bit so we don't hijack this thread. Plus I am bizzy on something else right now.

Noooo, share that link!!!

I keep thinking about trying something DIY just for the heck of it!
This one sounds like a great project.

pennypue wrote in post #7410094
Noooo, share that link!!!

I keep thinking about trying something DIY just for the heck of it!
This one sounds like a great project.

OK, penny...just because it was you who asked...hehehehehe:

---------------

These are for speedlights but could be made to use any light source.

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=99220

If you look at this post in that thread you will see the plastic salad bowl lightbox/diffuser that should be super easy and probably about right for what you want to use it for:

https://photography-on-the.net …hp?p=2038923&po​stcount=22

And here is a cool video for making a DIY speedlight ring flash. Very slick and nice looking bit-o-frankengear:

http://www.motleypixel​.com/reviews/i...20Rin​g%20Flash

Anyway, good luck and have some fun...

brecklundin...I love the way you indulge me.
Only trouble is the first two linkies didn't work.
The third is blocked by my employer.

The idea of making Frankengear is intriguing though.

I think I found it though...is this it? https://photography-on-the.net …t=salad+bowl+di​y+diffuser

pennypue wrote in post #7410502
brecklundin...I love the way you indulge me.
Only trouble is the first two linkies didn't work.
The third is blocked by my employer.

The idea of making Frankengear is intriguing though.

I think I found it though...is this it? https://photography-on-the.net …t=salad+bowl+di​y+diffuser

damn them to the bloody bowels of hell!! {yeah, I am channeling Stewie!!} Will fix it right away, I think I know what is up...gimme a few secs.

EDIT: OK, links fixed...I forgot the board does not like a copy 'n paste of posts with links in them...ya need to make sure ythe links are the actual URL not the "shortened" form used to keep them shorter for better viewing. OK, now I am going back to get the 3hrs of sleep I still have coming to me...

pennypue wrote in post #7410502
The idea of making Frankengear is intriguing though.

I think I found it though...is this it? https://photography-on-the.net …t=salad+bowl+di​y+diffuser

Oh, cool...I like that link too!! There are so many ways to make these...building Frankengear is fun...sorta like "Steampunk" for photo geeks.