The MacGyver LightBox/Softbox

A lightbox in photography it's like a blender in cooking. Sure you can do without it, but really? Can you? And obviously the results are much much better. 

Wether you liked my analogy or not, a lightbox makes better and prettier photos. Here is how I did one in just a few minutes, out of an emergency (or because someone dropped the lightbox on the floor in the middle of the shooting, breaking in a kabillion pieces ¬¬), and using already available materials around the house/studio.

I attached some photos using this lightbox, so you can see the end result in the photograph. No other light source was used in the attached photos.

Step 1 Materials

You can replace everything here with whatever materials you have in hand, this is just like a guideline.

- 2 CFL Bulbs. I used 20W ones (Equivalent to 60W of incandescent ones.)
- 1 large container.
- 2 sockets for the bulbs.
- 2 electric plugs for the sockets.
- Aluminum paper.
- Cable.

Tools:

- Cutting tool. I used a dremel.
- Any glue.
- Electric juice... obviously.

Comments

[[e-mail]]

Great job, and the self portrait is super cool. I all-ways like to look at the author photo in books. To see the person who makes the great art I am enjoying is a what I want to see.

Thanks for the post!
Swoon
p.s. I was a B&W photographic printer in a for 15 years before computers took over. I also was a photo assistant too. I would hold reflectors and all that jazz. One of my boss' wasWalter Barnes in Texas 87 year old and he did was portraits and wedding. He had a catch light that was a small hot light, far and high for the eyes to catch. A great touch. Another tip I like called a Daylight Fill , it just means using a flash durning the day to fill in shadows and give great skin tones. I thought your readers would like the tips as you probably already heard of them.

[Neo420]

Here is a link to my creation. I am going to change the bulbs a few times to get a feel for the different light. Thanks for the idea to get me inspired.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Soft-Light-Box/

[Neo420]

Love this idea. Making one of my own right now. Making a few alterations as needed. But loving the concept that you have! Cheers!

[Skyriam]

Thanks for reading!! Would LOVE to see your creation :), have a good day!