Food Poto lighting - light box
Thu, 03/12/2009 - 14:15
In a previous topic I read about using scrapbook paper for the background, which I've done, something was mentioned about a light box. Would this be like a shoe box with the paper as the back and you place the food inside to control lighting? I've had problems with my lighting lately and could use any pointers that are out there! Thanks
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Stacie
He Stacie,
You can create a simple lightbox by removing the sides of a carton box (leaving the edges) and replacing the sides and top with white tracing paper instead. Inside the box you can place any background you want as long as it more or less fits on the inside.
Now if you place an item in the box you could use lights from the outside, while the tracing paper will act as a softbox distributing the light more evenly.
If you want a few more tips on how to improve your photography, I have a few pages on my blog about that specific subject (with more to come) so check it out on I'd be happy to give you more tips if you want to!
Cooking, travelling and photography!
Junglefrog Cooking
You will want something a bit bigger than a shoebox - I'm using a box that's about 12 x 12 x 18 and I feel a little limited just by it (though I solved the problem by using small plates). I just built one using the tutorial here:
http://www.strobist.blogspot.com/2006/07/how-to-diy-10-macro-photo-studi...
It was a piece of cake. With the scrapbook paper background (and though I'm using an off-camera flash, there's no reason in the world you couldn't use natural light or a desk lamp or work lamp, though you may have to work a bit to get the colors right afterwards, it produces results like this (though hopefully yours won't be so blown out as mine!):
http://www.kitchenista.org
I actually constructed a larger box using foam-core board. Like the ones most children use for constructing grade school projects. I cut it to the size I wished using an exacto knife, then used hot glue to keep the board together. Although the hot glue only kept together for about 4-5 months, so I've now had to go back and use regular elmer's glue and let it sit overnight. I drape whatever fabric I wish to use or otherwise. I wish I could buy the lowel ego-lights since I usually don't get to take pictures of my food very late at night due to school and work, but you can always check those out too.
Foodie Obsession
Flickr
I got a studio light tent for xmas last year. It's great, and works really well, but you end up spending a lot of time with tripods, lights, backgrounds, etc. But you get excellent light control. I still take more pictures with natural light.
I'm taking a picture of my dad hijacking my new light tent
I may have made the most ridiculous light box in my living room last night--I didn't have an appropriately-sized cardboard box/tracing paper, but I FINALLY got my chocolate-covered cherry cupcake recipe right and was eager to photograph it before my roomies devoured them in the night. (It's happened before).
I took a stool from my breakfast bar (though I was also eyeballing a spindly end table), laid it on its side w/the flat "seat" part in the back, and used clothes pins to tack thin old white t-shirts to the sides. Used a plain white background, and "voila!" I'm sure the cotton fabric didn't diffuse the light as much as the proper equipment would have, but a little photo editing re: the highlight and shadow in the pic, and I was in business. I'm still surprised at how well it worked....
I took a stool from my breakfast bar (though I was also eyeballing a spindly end table), laid it on its side w/the flat "seat" part in the back, and used clothes pins to tack thin old white t-shirts to the sides. Used a plain white background, and "voila!" I'm sure the cotton fabric didn't diffuse the light as much as the proper equipment would have, but a little photo editing re: the highlight and shadow in the pic, and I was in business. I'm still surprised at how well it worked....
LOL! This sounds like something I've done- I've made my husband stand behind the food, holding up various sheets and t-shirts.
I hope to make a lightbox, using that tutorial, in the next week or so, since my birthday is coming up. Anyone know if it's better to use tracing paper, tissue paper, or cheesecloth? Or would it be better to use that foamcore board like the previous poster? I'm getting a couple of those "clamp lamps" too so I can use the lightbox anywhere.
I used tissue paper with mine, and I can tell you that one side has already ripped. Luckily it's $1 for 40 sheets of the stuff so not expensive to replace, but it is a little annoying. I didn't notice tracing paper being so much more substantial that it made it cost-effective, though.
If you can get ahold of some ripstop nylon at a fabric store, I think that would work best. I'm going to look for some myself. It's roughly the same fabric that the diffuse panels of the photobox above are made of.
http://www.kitchenista.org
I have been looking at these on Amazon and I think I'm going to get one myself. I love the idea of making one of my own out of the cardboard box, but then I have to store it. With these tents I can just collapse it and tuck it away when not in use.
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kitchenista, thanks heaps for the link to the article on Strobist - it's brilliant!
Thanks for all the neat tips, I really needed some tips for my pictures. I am going to try the tutorial so I can get some great pictures. Since I just joined here today, I have time to get things for my pictures just right before the Challenges for June.. I guess I am too late for May. Thanks again everyone!
Brenda Campbell
http://www.cre8tivekitchen.blogspot.com
You will want something a bit bigger than a shoebox - I'm using a box that's about 12 x 12 x 18 and I feel a little limited just by it (though I solved the problem by using small plates). I just built one using the tutorial here:
http://www.strobist.blogspot.com/2006/07/how-to-diy-10-macro-photo-studi...
It was a piece of cake. With the scrapbook paper background (and though I'm using an off-camera flash, there's no reason in the world you couldn't use natural light or a desk lamp or work lamp, though you may have to work a bit to get the colors right afterwards, it produces results like this (though hopefully yours won't be so blown out as mine!):
Ha ha, thats the turorial and box that we made when we started our food blog. I call him good ol' boxxie. He worked VERY well for us but we had to move up to a real one from a store because boxxie was hard to clean when I spilled sauce on him, and I ripped him in transport once. To make a long story short, check out the strobist website... and the box is well worth making.
http://cocobeanandme.blogspot.com
I'm definitely going to have to try out some of the tips posted here. So far I have been having a difficult time getting good high quality pictures of my food. I also think I need to invest in a new camera though, my camera is one of the first digital cameras that came out... so it is out dated and doesn't seem to take very good pictures. I am going to try some of these tips first though.
-Roni
Classic - I too have made this 'lightbox' my partner works at an architectural firm so we 'borrowed' some thicker vellum tracing paper that works fabulously. It's a little flimsy but works great with a couple of desk lamps from ikea or placed near an open window during the day to decrease the shadows and harsh lighting. I find it is a little annoying to get different angles though! The strobist site is great for photography tips. Goodluck all!
www.glutenfreescallywag.com
A homemade light box is quite easy to make. Instead of tissue paper, buy a sheet of diffusion paper from a photography store. It's quite cheap and much more durable. I made a DIY light box and found that it made such a difference to my photos!
A homemade light box is quite easy to make. Instead of tissue paper, buy a sheet of diffusion paper from a photography store. It's quite cheap and much more durable. I made a DIY light box and found that it made such a difference to my photos!
Love your tutorial... thanks for sharing! I'll try to make one this weekend, can't wait to try!
Renata @ Testado, Provado & Aprovado!
this is great information. i will definitely try this the next time i take photos of my baked goodies.
Baking and Caking for Beginners - http://kraftibakes.blogspot.com
As you know, lighting is very important in photography. Moreover bad light can spoil all your efforts. msd 250 2 bulbs are intended for improving light quality and eo ipso your photos.
Really great post i like it and got help full information from this blog i want to thank you admin for this great information.
African mango
Thanks for all the neat tips, I really needed some tips for my pictures. I am going to try the tutorial so I can get some great pictures. Since I just joined here today, I have time to get things for my pictures just right before the Challenges for June.. I guess I am too late for May. Thanks again everyone!
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