Introduction: Transforming Lightbox
After deciding to sell some articles on an online auction, I discovered that my camera takes horrible pictures. Not being a photographer, I had to do some searching before I figured out how the "pros" do it. The answer; Expensive Cameras, High-Energy Lights and Lightboxes!
Not able to afford any of these, I decided to see what I could do on my own. Please keep in mind that I am aware that this site does have Instructables for Lightboxes, however I had to put my own spin on it, and I am glad I did!
This is my very first Instructable, so please bear with me. Any positive criticism will be greatly appreciated.
Parts:
(1) Roll of Freezer Paper, plastic coated. (Borrowed from the kitchen, thus free!)
(8) 1/2" PVC Elbow Joints (Home Depot), part A
(4) 1/2" PVC T-Joints (Home Depot), part B
(10) 2ft Pre-Cut PVC Sections (Home Depot) part C
(2) GE Floodlight Halogen 100's (Wal-Mart, 1 pictured) Part D
(2) Mainstays Clip-on Lamps (Wal-Mart, 1 pictured) Part E
(3) Ghostline White Poster Board (Wal-Mart, none pictured here)
Home Depot Total: ~$15.00
Wal-Mart Total: ~$26.00
Not able to afford any of these, I decided to see what I could do on my own. Please keep in mind that I am aware that this site does have Instructables for Lightboxes, however I had to put my own spin on it, and I am glad I did!
This is my very first Instructable, so please bear with me. Any positive criticism will be greatly appreciated.
Parts:
(1) Roll of Freezer Paper, plastic coated. (Borrowed from the kitchen, thus free!)
(8) 1/2" PVC Elbow Joints (Home Depot), part A
(4) 1/2" PVC T-Joints (Home Depot), part B
(10) 2ft Pre-Cut PVC Sections (Home Depot) part C
(2) GE Floodlight Halogen 100's (Wal-Mart, 1 pictured) Part D
(2) Mainstays Clip-on Lamps (Wal-Mart, 1 pictured) Part E
(3) Ghostline White Poster Board (Wal-Mart, none pictured here)
Home Depot Total: ~$15.00
Wal-Mart Total: ~$26.00
Step 1: Step 1
Cut four (4) of the 2-ft PVC sections in half to create the eight (8) "halves". Cutting these the same length will make the project a bit more pleasing to the eye later!
Step 2: Step 2
Assembling the Large Box;
Using the T-Joints, create four 2ft sections of pipe and place the eight Elbow joints on the ends. The end product should look something like the third picture.
Using the T-Joints, create four 2ft sections of pipe and place the eight Elbow joints on the ends. The end product should look something like the third picture.
Step 3: Step 3
Attach 2 of the new 2ft sections from Step 2 together using the (part D) sections from the intro. Repeat this to get two new sections.
Step 4: Step 4
Using the last two 2ft pieces of PVC ("Part D"), join the two finished sections from Step 3. See pictures below...
I could have shown pictures of exactly how this went, but I believe that you should easily be able to tell how I made this.
I could have shown pictures of exactly how this went, but I believe that you should easily be able to tell how I made this.
Step 5: Transform It!
Instead of finishing the Large Box, I am going to show you, in detail, how I reassembled some of the parts into a Small Box for smaller subjects.
First, I removed all of the "halves" sections from the finished Large Box. I left the Elbow Joints ("Part A") ends on. Next, I created a smaller box using just the "halves" sections and Elbow Joints. Look closely at the pictures below for references.
Notice how my box isn't quite square? This is because I didn't cut one of the 2ft pipes exactly in half, leaving me with 2 different-sized "halves" to work with. This doesn't affect the function at all.
First, I removed all of the "halves" sections from the finished Large Box. I left the Elbow Joints ("Part A") ends on. Next, I created a smaller box using just the "halves" sections and Elbow Joints. Look closely at the pictures below for references.
Notice how my box isn't quite square? This is because I didn't cut one of the 2ft pipes exactly in half, leaving me with 2 different-sized "halves" to work with. This doesn't affect the function at all.
Step 6: Making a "Ramp"
One of the important parts of the lightbox is the ramp. This helps hide shadows and helps keep your eyes focused on the details of the subject.
I made my ramp by cutting one of the Ghostline Poster Boards. One reason I chose Ghostline is because (you can't see it here, sorry) it features a light gray 1/2-inch grid. That makes cutting it a lot easier.
This ramp took a while to get right. Cutting the width was easy, but I had to work on it to figure out the length.
I made my ramp by cutting one of the Ghostline Poster Boards. One reason I chose Ghostline is because (you can't see it here, sorry) it features a light gray 1/2-inch grid. That makes cutting it a lot easier.
This ramp took a while to get right. Cutting the width was easy, but I had to work on it to figure out the length.
Step 7: Wrap It Up!
Okay, this step actually turned out to be a lot more complicated than I had assumed. It looks easy enough, but I took lots of pictures to help you figure out what I did. Basically, I wrapped the Small Box with the Freezer Paper from the intro. Look at the pictures for details...
One note: When wrapping the box, be sure to keep the reflective plastic coating on the freezer wrap on the "inside" of the box. This will make for a much nicer effect later!
One note: When wrapping the box, be sure to keep the reflective plastic coating on the freezer wrap on the "inside" of the box. This will make for a much nicer effect later!
Step 8: Finishing Touches
Check each of the pictures below for the finishing touches.
I cut a small hole in the top of the box for some top-down shots, but didn't make it too large since I need the glare from the top section to help with reflective surfaces.
Once my box was finished, I placed it on the table and put both of the lamps on either side and turned them on.
Please note: Freezer paper is flammable, so do NOT let the lamps come in contact with the sides. Also note that these are very hot lamps, so I never leave them running when I am not around!
I cut a small hole in the top of the box for some top-down shots, but didn't make it too large since I need the glare from the top section to help with reflective surfaces.
Once my box was finished, I placed it on the table and put both of the lamps on either side and turned them on.
Please note: Freezer paper is flammable, so do NOT let the lamps come in contact with the sides. Also note that these are very hot lamps, so I never leave them running when I am not around!