Homemade softbox made easy..

[brewmaster15]

Hi all,
I recently made a down and dirty softbox for product photography. Its real easy to make one, though honesty you could buy one inexpensively. Its just something I wanted to do. I'll be using for my online store mostly, but also for some macro photography and timelapse photography. What it allows you to do is easily control the lighting and backgrounds.

I made this box for about $5 in materials. The internet is full of DIY plans...heres what I did starting with old Uline cardboard box... you basically cut out the sides and hot glue in translucent material or fabric. I found a cheap translucent fabric at walmart.


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[brewmaster15]

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[rickztahone]

Cool Al. Show us some before and after shots too to show the benefits of modifiers

[brewmaster15]

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[brewmaster15]

I'm still playing around with it.. The lighting I am using are $5 homedepot dome lights and basic CFL bulbs.


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[brewmaster15]

When ever you see product on a website that has a white background or colored background, they often use soft boxes like this.


al

[brewmaster15]

Or something like this...The background is not white here... but I like the look better





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[brewmaster15]

The backround is just a piece of poster board, and is removable and can be any color. I've played with an off white one from walmart so far, I'm looking for a matt black one or I will juts make my own.


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[Second Hand Pat]

That is really cool and very effective Al. This would work very nice for Ardan with his custom pieces. :)
Pat

[brewmaster15]

If anyone is interested in making one like this or is just looking for an excellent diffuser...


The material I used was...." Pellon Wonder Under"


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http://www.joann.com/pellon-805-wonder-under-fusible-web/1186402.html

[Discus-n00b]

Excellent!!! I've done something similar before when I did my first set of water drops. Was a perfect box to use and put a water dish in to have a nice background. I might have to make one of these again.

[Ardan]

Very Nice Al!!
On that pic of the FDBW did you do any post processing or is it just the two lights on the sides? No flash?
Really did well that way! I am going to try lights from different positions. The problem I am running into is reflection off the glass items..... way too many wasted pics to get a good shot. If I can get the lighting right it will save a lot of time. I have a softbox, it's just the light I have trouble with.
Maybe its also the color of the backround I need to experiment with on the glass and acrylic objects.
Open to suggestions on those.
Thanks!
Ardan

[rickztahone]

Diffusers help greatly when it comes to reflections. With a softbox, use a diffuser panel as Al has demonstrated but you can still add more diffuser panels. Parabolic shapes help here greatly.

[Ardan]

Diffusers help greatly when it comes to reflections. With a softbox, use a diffuser panel as Al has demonstrated but you can still add more diffuser panels. Parabolic shapes help here greatly.

Thanks Ricardo!:)

Ardan

[Ardan]

Are those low wattage light bulbs?

Thanks
Ardan

[DonMD]

I had never even given thought to such a contraption for photographing products, but I admit it does make a lot of sense. So, now, what about photographing discus? Is there also a simply, inexpensive setup to use?

[rickztahone]

I had never even given thought to such a contraption for photographing products, but I admit it does make a lot of sense. So, now, what about photographing discus? Is there also a simply, inexpensive setup to use?

Diffusers also play a role in good fish photos. You can add a flash on top of your tank and add a layer of diffusion, can be as simple as a piece of paper, wax paper, styrofoam (be careful with this though as it can melt), and a slew of other materials. A diffuser helps spread out light in what otherwise would be referred to as "harsh" lighting.

[Ardan]

Great thread!
I bought 3 of those lights and really helps!

Thanks Al and Ricardo!

Ardan