A lightbox is a tabletop photo studio used for product photography. Commercial lightboxes can be expensive, but beginners can create an affordable version that makes possible professional-looking photos. A cardboard box provides the frame and white tissue paper diffuses the light from fluorescent daylight bulbs. The natural lighting helps keep the colors of the jewelry accurate. Smooth Bristol board -- a thick paper like high-quality construction paper -- forms the background for the images.
Instructions
1. Assemble a small cardboard box, leaving the top open. Secure the underside of the box's bottom using tape across the folds. Use a craft knife to cut off the top flaps, the pieces that would fold down if you were going to close the top of the box. This creates the open front of the lightbox.
2. Turn the box horizontally so that one side is facing you and the open top is facing up. Use the ruler to measure and draw a rectangle 2 inches from each edge of the side of the box. Use the craft knife to cut out the rectangle. You should now have a large rectangular hole in the side of the box with a 2-inch cardboard border.
3. Repeat Step 2 for the opposite side of the box and for the upper side, which will be the top of the lightbox. You should now have a horizontal box with two open sides, an open top, a solid backing on the bottom of the box and an intact side that is the bottom of the lightbox.
4. Fold a sheet of white tissue paper in half. Place the tissue paper over one of the holes in the lightbox. Tape the tissue paper securely to the box, covering the hole and leaving the tissue as taut as possible. Trim off extra paper.
5. Repeat Step 4 for the other openings in the box. Place the Bristol board inside the box, bending one sheet of Bristol board to stick into the back if the box is small enough. The Bristol board should cover the cardboard on the back and bottom of the lightbox. Place one sheet of board along the back and another on the bottom if the box is too large for the first method. The interior cardboard should be covered by both sheets of board.
6. Set up your lighting. Position daylight fluorescent bulbs on either side of the box, one on the side and one above, or use three to cover all of the open sides. Set up your camera tripod on the table just outside the lightbox to take your photos.
Tags: Bristol board, tissue paper, bottom lightbox, craft knife, open sides, Repeat Step
