How to build your own Photo Booth

 by MoonRaker
P1020466.JPG
My wife and I set our wedding date for June 5, 2010 which gave me about 8 months of planning.  I had decided that I wanted to add a unique touch to our wedding reception that encapsulated my hands on skills.  We had discussed getting a photobooth however after researching it determined that $800 was too much :S.  So I set out on a path to build my own.  I figure there was enough free software out there that I could simply modify it and a camera make my own photo booth.  I will provide you with a basic overview of how the photo booth came to be. I must say that I am missing some photos during the construction because well it was put together in less than a month.  At the time I had much more on my mind than turning it into an instructable, I just wanted it to be done for the wedding.  To be honest most of the time was spent coding and not actually making the booth itself.  The booth was also made to be easily be disassembled and reassembled.

The booth itself took a series of four pictures at the push of a button. It would also throughout the night would project the pictures taken onto the ceiling of the tent which we rented for our reception.  



 
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Step 1: Materials

1 Windows Laptop or PC
1 Webcam, or digital camera or camcorder with video out capabilities
1 computer monitor
1 USB keyboard (will be hacked, any cheap store bought one will do)
1 momentary push button or switch (normally open)
1 bench 
1 fluorescent light fixture
1 small light bar
1 projector (optional)
1 Photobooth:
     several sheets of plywood or OSB
     several 2"X4"s
     1 1/2" PVC pipe 3.5' long
     2 1/2" PVC end caps
     2 hitch pins
     1 shower curtain w/ clips
     picture frame w/ glass
     screws and bolts



vigorotaku says: Nov 21, 2012. 11:55 AM
Excellent advice. I have used a similar setup for years and many occasions. I summarized it on my blog site.


Photobooth


Photobooths are often the life of the party!



Dan at Vigorotaku
vigorotaku says: Nov 21, 2012. 11:53 AM
Still excellent and timely advice. I have used a similar setup for years and many occasions. I summarized it on my blog site.

Photobooth

Photobooths are often the life of the party!


Dan at Vigorotaku
spainishone says: Feb 10, 2012. 5:12 AM
This aweson mate! It is very nice...Maybe you can help me... I am desperated..
i am a spanish guy who wanna surprise my brother in his wedding with a video Booth... i was checking prices with Spanish companies which are specialized on this topic,,, But it is crazy expensives... Then i found this website full of creativity and amazing instruction of how to build a photobooth..So i realized my dream is possible!!! What i wanna know it is if someone knows a Software of video records that i can use to build my "dreamed videobooth". I have all the covers and the system..but i am missing one of the most important part. I want the guess press a buttton which make record 30 second clip and stop... I dont wanna be tied up to the Video Booth the whole wedding so I wish the button doesn´t let them to record longer videos than 30 second clip ( I know people on wedding get drunk and they will forget to push the button "Stop" so the memory of the camera will be full, and at the same time 30 second if enough time to leave a nice or funny message and not make it too heavy) It is the first time i am using as member this webside so apologyze if this is not the correct way to ask a question.... thank u very much to all of u CREATIVE PEOPLE!!
used1100 says: Nov 30, 2011. 8:07 PM
hello,
im trying to figure how to make openphotobooth work like what you did. our wedding is this weekend and im trying to figure it out. how can i modify the code?
davepc says: Jun 29, 2011. 7:28 PM
How did you find the lighting? Was the fluorescent light fixture enough?
MoonRaker (author) in reply to davepcNov 15, 2011. 7:53 PM
sorry for the late reply, haven't had time to check in lately. It was ok. High output fluorescent worked pretty well. It depends what look/feel you would like to have. If you are just using a webcam sometimes the better lighting helps but you don't want it too harsh on the users or washed for the pictures. I am still thinking about the what lighting I am going to use for future events, so far I have just stuck with the fluorescent lights.
nosedive says: Jul 20, 2011. 8:23 AM
I'm currently working on my own photobooth for my wedding reception and banged my head against the wall for a day or two trying to dress up the default theme. I couldn't get images to display to save my life.

Solution:
when putting in the address for the image file make sure to use this to reference the file location
$(opb['theme_path'])image.jpg
Prettynink87x says: Dec 14, 2010. 11:44 AM
Hi there, I don't have a paid account and i was wondering if you could maybe email me and help me with the code?
vigorotaku says: Nov 11, 2010. 4:54 AM
Very good ideas here! 

Check out another example Photo Booth from a recent wedding at 
http://vigorotaku.blogspot.com/ 
November 1st. It was a lot of fun and a really big hit! 

I have some diagrams of what I use with explanations and an example pic.
The specific link is here



vigorotaku says: Nov 11, 2010. 4:46 AM
Great Setup! I use something a bit simpler, without the walls.

Check out another example Photo Booth from a recent wedding at
http://vigorotaku.blogspot.com/
November 1st. It was a lot of fun and a really big hit!

I have some diagrams of what I use with explanations and an example pic.
The specific booth is here
stiffdude says: Oct 25, 2010. 7:23 AM
hi there,

I can't seem to find the open booth software on the net. Do you still have a copy and will you be willing to share? tnx
MoonRaker (author) in reply to stiffdudeOct 27, 2010. 1:49 PM
The installers and also the source code is still available at the github.com website, http://github.com/jmhobbs/OpenPhotoBooth/downloads
sirarthur78 says: Oct 4, 2010. 5:50 PM
I love this idea.
unigamer says: Sep 27, 2010. 12:55 PM
that's an awesome idea and a lovely implementation!
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