Lightbox photos...?

[bobnoodle]

My current project is building a lightbox for use in taking "product type" photos...

I sell a few things on eBay and I have always wanted to be able to improve the quality of my listing photos.

I also want to take on the challenge of this type of photo.

So far I have built the framework out of $16.00 worth of 3/4" pvc pipe and associated fittings

I bought a couple of cheap flat sheets from Wal-Mart for $2.50 ea so my total investment so far is about $21.00 before lighting.

I have to work out the lighting but I think I'm going to eBay for a couple of lights on stands for the side lighting.

I have it set on my countertop/island right under a light for the light from the top.

I think that I need another layer of sheet on it so I can add more light without a glare... We'll see...

Here is how it is with the sheet pulled back so you can see the framework.

[attachment 69556 IMG_1697aa.jpg]



This is a photo that I took with this setup so far...

[attachment 69555 IMG_1693a.jpg]



Does anyone have a lightbox? Experience with one? Did you buy it or build it? Some photos that you've taken in it?

I'm just looking for any ideas/feedback that might be useful as I put this together.

Please feel free to post photos and such...

Thanks!!

Bob

 

[gztx]

I know a lady that made one out white construction paper and has multiple daylight type flourscent bulbs. The ones that are so popular now with the screw base. She posts on e-bay and is happy with it.

 

[bobnoodle]

Cool breeze.. I'm heading off to wal-mart in a few minutes to pick some up like that.

I'm going to buy some of the style of lamp that "clamp on" and the bulbs will be the screw in fluorescents...

I Googled up one where someone made it out of a big plastic storage tub... They laid it on its side and put a piece of poster board in for the bottom/background.. Clamped a couple of lights on the ends.. Looks like it sure did the job too!

Thanks,
Bob

 

[bobnoodle]

And so the experimentation begins...

I have more better lights now... I purchased three clamp on lights and put 100 Watt fluorescent bulbs in them.

I can see that I need to get a wrinkle-free background. It doesn't help that I seem to set everything on the folds.. Lol..

I guess the next step is to explore more backgrounds..

These are some photos of objects that I took this evening while checking it out.

In the last one I put it up on a little piece of PVC pipe and then photoshopped out the pipe and didn't do such a great job of it... (Too many Diet 'Dews'..)

Any thoughts?...

[attachment 69645 IMG_1705a.jpg]


[attachment 69646 IMG_1701a.jpg]


[attachment 69647 IMG_1711a.jpg]


[attachment 69648 IMG_1712a.jpg]

 

[gztx]

The lady that I told you about used the clamp on lights. She made a simple box out of heavy construction paper. That eliminated the wrinkles from fabric but I did see some lines of the corners. If I remember correctly it did not have a top. I visited her website and think that she used to much lighting maybe supplemental flash.

Hope that helps some. You can tell that I am new to this.

Gary Z.


Check out her pictures on:
http://www.bluemoonantiqueshop.com/

 

[Gord SW Ont]

The main thing that comes to mind in looking at your photos is that your white balance is off. Not only is it not accurate in an absolute sense but it is different in each of the pictures.

If you use the levels tool and just click the white point dropper on the background (which presumably is white???) it makes quite a difference imo.

You could put a grey card (or small white textured, etc) at the corner of each shot for a refence so that you can adjust it properly in post processing.

Nice to see someone working their way through a project like this ... you'll learn a ton and your results will improve a lot.

Thx for sharing ... Gord SW Ont.

 

[Gord SW Ont]

As an example I took three of your pics and did a very quick levels adjustment (primarily with the white point dropper on the white background) and got this:

[attachment 69676 IMG_1711arev.jpg]

[attachment 69677 IMG_1712arev.jpg]

[attachment 69678 IMG_1701arev.jpg]

I think you did a good job!

 

[gztx]

Gord, looks like you have it figured out for Bobnoodle. I enjoy learning from you guys. I am trying to get away from the point and click is what you get mode.

 

[bobnoodle]

Yes! I've got to agree with you Gord! The sheet is a bright white and it really makes it pop!

I was using Google's Picasa2 last night. It's "easier" than my other software and I was being lazy...

I cut the frame down tonight... Now it's about 24 x 32 inches... Smaller but still large enough to fit my Jeep in!...

[attachment 69705 IMG_1717-1a.jpg]

Thanks for the interest in my goofing around here!!

Bob

 

[bobnoodle]

Lol.. This is a bit of fun isn't it..?

Bob