Make a Light Box Light Tent
A light tent box is used in photography to create a well lit environment to photograph still objects, like products for a website or online auction. It is covered in a white fabric, usually muslin, so that when lights are placed outside of the box, the fabric casts a soft, glow-like lighting effect on the item photographed. Light tents sell for upwards of $150 at photography stores, but the effect can be reproduced for less than $10 with a sturdy cardboard box.
Instructions
1. Tape the bottom of the box closed with masking tape.
2. Cut off the top flaps of the box leaving 2 inches of the flaps on all four sides.
3. Tape down the remaining 2 inches of the four top flaps using the masking tape. Make sure they are taped down securely.
4. Draw a square on one side of the box, 2 inches from the box's edges. Use the measuring tape or a ruler to ensure the square is exactly 2 inches from the edge of the box.
5. Draw a square on the opposite side of the box, 2 inches from the box's edges.
6. Draw a square on one of the remaining sides of the box, 2 inches from the box's edges.
7. Cut along the lines of the squares that you just drew, using the utility knife. This should make three open sides of the box that look like windows.
8. Drape the white fabric over the box covering the sides and top of the box. Muslin is a good fabric choice, as it is thin, lint free and inexpensive. Nylon or t-shirt fabric would also work.
9. Tape the muslin along the front edge and along the bottom of the box to hold the fabric in place.
10. Place the poster board inside the light tent. It should be propped against the solid side of the box you did not cut. It may be necessary to trim the poster to fit the width of the box, but do not cut the height. Instead, allow the poster board to "bow" or "scoop" instead of creasing it into the box. It should fit gently between the front of the box and the top back edge of the uncut side. You are now ready to position whatever lights you want around the top and sides of the box, then photograph your items.
Tags: inches from, Draw square, from edges, inches from edges, Light Light
