Introduction: Instagram Inspired DIY Photo-Booth
I decided to build a simple photo-booth as a fun addition for events, this goes through the basic steps of how i went from a few pieces of wood to a fully functional booth. I have also included a photo of what the images look like!
Please note that this photo-booth is simply a fan project. The photobooth is NOT endorsed by Instagram, and is NOT for sale!
Step 1: Cutting Wood
Square sheet of MDF, 600mm x 600mm with a Red Dome Push Button recessed at the bottom.
Step 2: Access Holes
Holes were then cut out for camera lens and tv monitor.
Step 3: Monitor Trim
A wooden frame was then fitted to surround the hole for the tv to add depth.
Step 4: Rounding Edges
Corners were then curved using a jigsaw.
Step 5: Fitting Sides
Sides were then cut just short of where the corners start to bend. Screws and 90 degree brackets temporarily attached them to the back piece.
Step 6: Building Corners
The rounded corners were made from short strips of wood, glued to form the rough shape of the corner. These were also temporarily screwed and attached using 90 degree brackets while the glue dried.
Step 7: Rounding Corners
Once the glue had dried on the rough corners, they were shaped using a wood plane and sander.
Step 8: Added Details
A recessed section was made on the front right, simply to add depth and additional detailing.
Step 9: Flash Holes
Holes were then cut to contain the 3 45mm seven segment displays, and two larger holes at the top for the flash guns.
Step 10: Shell Finished
The two holes for the flash guns were covered on the back with a hard translucent plastic to seal the unit and diffuse the light passing through, reducing the harshness of the light.
Step 11: Electronics
Wires were attached to each of the 7 segment displays, these were then covered using heat shrink and the 9 wires coming out of each 7 segment was then bound together using larger heat shrink to keep everything tidy.
Step 12: The PCB
There was a total of 28 transistors, 29 resistors a few meters of red/black wire.
Step 13: PCB Headers
PCB header plugs were soldered on to each individual seven segment display PCB. This allows them to be easily removed and replaced without having to work out the order of the pins every time, this also made troubleshooting easier.
Step 14: Finished PCB
The finished pcb, with the push button soldered in and a red LED light on the button, to control the camera a 2.5mm jack was soldered in and attached to a transistor, when the transmitter is closed, it connects the ground of the camera wire to the autofocus and shutter trigger at once. Note: the camera will be set on manual focus, therefore there was no need to have the booth autofocus beforehand, the only reason the autofocus cable is attached is because cameras will not allow the shutter wire to trigger them unless autofocus wire is already engaged.
Step 15: Arduino
The arduino (Blue part on the picture) is a microcontroller. Basically, you write code on the computer, upload it to te arduino and it will carry out functions.
In my case, i coded it to start the photobooth sequence once the big red button was pressed.
Here is a basic run down of what the code is doing;
Start -
[Press Button]
Red Button light switches off
Right hand side seven segment display illuminates with the number 4
Top two seven segment displays count from 10 to 0
Camera Triggers
Right hand side seven segment display illuminates with the number 3
Top two seven segment displays count from 10 to 0
Camera Triggers
Right hand side seven segment display illuminates with the number 2
Top two seven segment displays count from 10 to 0
Camera Triggers
Right hand side seven segment display illuminates with the number 1
Top two seven segment displays count from 10 to 0
Camera Triggers
Red Button light turns back on
All seven segments switch off
End
Step 16: Power/Support
For the power i wanted to use a standardised plug so it could easily be removed for transport. I used a kettle plug which was recessed into the base underneath the top hat of a speaker stand which i used for support. The reason for placing it under the top hat was so i could run the cable up the speaker stands centre post, meaning there was no cables dangling from the booth to get snagged.
You can also see the two 60mm 12v fans i used for ventilation. Due to the heat coming off the tv, flashes and arduino i wanted to prevent overheating, one blows cool air in, the other is reversed, sucking the warm air out.
Step 17: Hardware
The camera used was a Nikon d3200, and a 18-55 kit lens. I used 2 Nikon sb900 flashes to light the subjects.
One of the flashes was connected directly to the camera using a TTL cable and then the two flashes were connected using pc sync cable. Both flashes were set to manual power at 1/8.
The TTL cable was required so the camera knew flash was being used and automatically set the exposure for liveview, without this the brightness of the liveview would be that of the actual exposure settings. Basically, without flash connected liveview would expose at iso 100 f/11 1/30 (really dark on liveview indoors). With flash connected the camera would automatically choose the brightness of liveview using iso even though my settings were locked in at iso 100 f/11 and 1/60.
To mount the camera and flashes i made a simple bracket out of wood, bolts and some brackets.
You can also see the tv bracket below which held the tv in place.
Step 18: Finished Internals
Just a closer look at the insides of the booth once it was finished.
85 Comments
10 years ago on Introduction
Top notch work! (and a really great instructable). This is one of the very best all- in one photobooth setups I've ever seen, and I work in the event industry. So cute and inviting. Your design and construction is just fantastic! A+
Question 2 years ago
Do u have a list of all the parts you need to order ??
Question 3 years ago on Step 11
Is there a way to hook up a printer to this setup to print photo right then after the photo is taken.
Thank you
Question 4 years ago
Hi,
nice project. Where can i find the code for the Arduino? Is it uploaded somewhere on Github?
Best Regards
5 years ago
Congratulations on the project and sharing.
I want to do this project with students from a school where I work, but I do not understand how the button starts the machine, can you help me?
I leave here my email and thank you for contacting me.
Thank you.
susanapvl@hotmail.com
7 years ago
Perfect work!
I wan't it, I wan't it.
I already ordered the Parts.
And the Arduino Code is almost ready, I think.
https://123d.circuits.io/circuits/2061353-my-photo...
I have to clean it up, but I hope the main functions are working.
Reply 5 years ago
Hey what are you displaying, and anyway you can post your code?
Reply 6 years ago
I'm also building my own. Where did you find the speaker pole mount?
6 years ago
Hello,
I'm just getting things ready to make this but I'm a little stuck with the flash(es). I've managed to get a Nikon d5000 and a main power supply so that I don't have to worry about batteries, however I can't seem to find a flash with the ability to run from the mains. Has anyone else found this to be a problem, and does anyone have a solution?
I'm building it for my own wedding so I didn't really want to be changing the batteries throughout the evening.
I'm a newbie to flashes so any assistance would be appreciated.
Thanks
Reply 5 years ago
i was having same problem. i found a battery eliminator on google...works great
6 years ago
How much would you charge to make this and ship to Romania?
Please email me at cristian.clazarescu@gmail.com
Thanks!
6 years ago
great idea, inspired me to make my own version. pc build with touchscreen
6 years ago
Per quanto riguarda l'interno della scatola di legno, visto che non sono molto pratica con l'elettronica ma vorrei provare a crearne uno mio, è possibile avere delle informazioni più dettagliate dei prodotti da acquistare e il codice arduino da utilizzare? Grazie...Vi lascio la mia mail per contattarmi joly.86@hotmail.com
6 years ago
Great build. Can you provide the link for the pole mount? I can't seem to find it.
7 years ago
how much would it cost you to make it and ship it to the USA?
7 years ago
I bought my membership because of this project. I want to personally thank you for putting together such a detailed and easy to follow project. Your executions was fantastic. I'm already ordering my supplies and will share my pix when it's complete.
7 years ago
How much would you charge to make this and ship to USA?
c_arias10@hotmail.com
7 years ago
Hello!
How much would you charge to make this and ship to USA?
grecia021@hotmail.com
Thanks!
7 years ago
How much would you charge to make this and ship to USA?
c_arias10@hotmail.com
7 years ago
How much would you charge to make this and ship to USA?
Email is jnbb22@gmail.com