Photo Box?

[strop]

I picked up some white foam board today to make a photo box. I'm thinking that 2X2X2 should be about the right size. Anyone have a better size suggestion , or any suggestions for that matter. I plan to cut out the sides and cover with waxed paper. I plan light sources on both sides. Should I leave the top off, or make that white as well?

 

[djh]

The size sounds reasonable Mark, I would leave the top off the box and then you can always cover it should you need to- otherwise some sort of lighting from above might be useful at times as well. Grab some quality paper to form a seamless background for your images- different colours (not only white) can provide very, very different results.
Then shoot away and learn how the thing works! Good luck.

 

[BRuhling]

Does anyone have any experience with Julius Pro Studio's lightboxes? For the price, with lights and all on ebay, they seem reasonable, if they last longer than one or two shots...

 

[Lamb Root]

I just realized that those shades that can be attached to car the windows from the inside have the same shape as a foldable soft boxes and have just the right size for it. All I have to do is replace that black plastic mesh with lightweight white cloth somehow. Maybe connect panels with Velcro tape.

Btw I find covered light boxes much more useful especially if the top is translucent.

 

[superbleu]

I made a few light boxes but they weren't very durable.
I ended up getting this, not bad for around 20 dollars

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290610514438&ssPageName=ADME:L:OC:US:1123

 

[Mark1966]

I made a few light boxes but they weren't very durable.
I ended up getting this, not bad for around 20 dollars

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290610514438&ssPageName=ADME:L:OC:US:1123

Ditto - went through the same process and ended up buying a similar product. Works well, neat and tidy, no fuss solution for much the same as I spent on materials.

 

[strop]

Well, the box is 20"X20" since that was the size of the foam board. Have to cut out the sides. Is there a preferred material to cover the openings? I was going to use waxed paper but can only find it in 12" widths. What about plain old white cloth (old T shirt). Thought about tissue paper but it seems flimsy. Another other ideas?

 

[mdunn]

I built mine.

Wine box, cut big windows in the roof and both sides, and covered those holes up with baking paper. Taped white card to the rear top seam, and had it curve down to the front.

If you look at all the pics linked in the 'my straights' bit of my sig theyre all from this box. Cost me about a dollar for the white card.

You can kinda see the construction in the corner of this pic:

 

[Lamb Root]

I made a few light boxes but they weren't very durable.
I ended up getting this, not bad for around 20 dollars

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290610514438&ssPageName=ADME:L:OC:US:1123

I was thinking a little and you are right.
Just ordered 24" one from a Chinese seller. I hope that extra few inches will give me more freedom for maneuver and less shadows in the back. I measured with a tape and 20" looks a little bit too narrow for SOTD pics.