Photography Light Box

In this article I offer you a tutorial so you can build your own lightbox easily and very cheaply.

We will go step by step and I will illustrate the process with photographs. You will see how simple it is.

I am also going to give you some options so that you can buy a light box of very good quality and at a very affordable price, in case you want to buy one already made.

What is a light box?

Here’s a photo for you to see, but basically it’s a photographic accessory (see all here with purchase advice) that serves to illuminate your objects in a soft and diffuse way.

Before getting into the matter, I want to recommend this mega guide that we have prepared for you with everything you need to know about lighting in photography, with tips, tricks and much more.

What is the use of a light box?

A light box is mainly used to product photography or still life. Although it also works for any photography that you want to experiment with at home with diffused light. Of course, with objects of small or medium size ;).

If you have ever wondered how you can get a photograph of an object in great detail, with such white backgrounds and so well lit, this is the answer. Maybe you think that only a professional can achieve something like this, but it is not the case. You just need a light box (and the basic knowledge of photography, of course 😉 ).

Materials to build a photography light box

You will need the following materials, as you will see, some are not essential and others may vary according to your tastes, preferences or availability:

• Cash register (the size will depend on the size of the objects you want to photograph).
• Plant paper. Any material that lets light through and is white will do. The silk paper It can also be useful to you, although it is still more fragile and breaks down sooner. if you have any white cotton t-shirt to throw it can serve you. You can also use parchment paper.
• White paint (optional). I recommend it to you because in this way it reflects the light (in addition to being prettier), although it is not essential. The choice is yours ;).
• Cutter/Scissors. To cut the box the cutter is more comfortable, for the rest… the scissors.
• Glue. Here you can use normal glue, heat-sealing gun or tape, either electrical or masking tape.
• Pencil
• Rule
• White cardboard
• White or bodybuilder’s tape (optional). It can be used to glue the paper on the windows or to “beautify” the edges.
• Thumbtacks (optional). To put the background.

Steps to build your photography light box

As I told you in the introduction, I’m going to explain it step by step so you don’t get lost. I’m one of those who need everything well chewed, and that’s how I like to explain it, because I hope I’m not the only one ;).

1. Mark a frame on the box

On the lateral sides and on the upper part, mark with the ruler a frame of about 4 or 5 cm, from the edge inwards. This also depends on the size of the box. If it is too small, the frame will be narrower.

2. Cut out the frames

With the cutter cut along the line and remove the excess cardboard. You will have some windows like these.

3. Paint the inside of the box white

This way it will not only look prettier (which is a point ;)), but it will reflect the light better. This step is optional, if you are going to cover the entire interior with fabric or paper it is not necessary. And on the outside… to taste, if you want to paint it and make it prettier, it’s all yours ;). And another thing, you don’t need to paint the background and the base because the white cardboard will go there, if you look at the photo you’ll see that I haven’t painted it (I only cleaned the brush on the cardboard ;P).

4. Put the paper

Or the fabric, whatever you’ve chosen. You can put it on the outside if it is more comfortable for you, or put it on the inside covering the entire interior, so no cut will appear in the photos. You can stick it with electrical tape or with normal glue or heat seal. If you use fabric, try to stretch it well. The same if it is a paper with little body, such as tissue paper. At the time of gluing it I have been pulling from each side to tighten it as much as possible. Then trim off the excess edges.

It will be more or less like this (you can see that the glue hasn’t dried yet, right? ;)):

5. Place the background cardboard

Measure the width of the box and cut the cardboard to size. You can stick it with glue or put it with thumbtacks in case you decide to change the background from time to time. As you will see (red arrow) I have not placed it right on the edge, but my box was very high and the cardboard did not reach the edge of the base, so the cut could be seen in the photos.

(Mental note-advice: choose the size of the box wisely 😉 ).

Let the cardboard fall on its own, do not bend it so that it sticks to the bottom, that way you will not see the fold in the photos. It better have that curve. I have put a white cardboard, but you can also put a different color or even a fabric. Everything will depend on the background that interests you most for your photography.

You already have your box ready! Mine has been like this, I’m sure it looks better on you, it depends on how good you are at crafts or DIY and the patience or time you dedicate to it.

But in this case, the important thing is not that it be pretty, but that you can achieve the photos you want, that it be functional, so don’t get overwhelmed with perfection ;).

Examples of photos taken with homemade light box

Here’s an example, first without the lightbox, then with the lightbox. This test is performed in natural light, under a window.

with light box

But of course, the light box is not only for when you have great natural light, right? When the light is rather scarce, place spotlights on each side, as in this example.

Shop light box

What do you think is too much work? Do you lack time? Crafts not your thing? Well, nothing happens either. If you are interested, you have very affordable light boxes.

For example, this mini that comes with light incorporated.

Or this other laptop that includes four backgrounds of different colors:

In mini size you also have this other option:

And for larger objects and a more professional use, there is this larger one:

You dare?

Now that you have read the article, do you want to have yours? You have already seen that it is very, very easy. And if you decide to buy it, there are also cheap options. Your product photos will look like a movie and you can practice with a “mini-studio” lighting with any object you have at home.

I encourage you to get one and tell us the comments or share the results. And, if you found the article useful, please share it so that it reaches more people. Thanks and see you soon.