making my own light box

[kage65]

Hello,

I'm making my own light box to photograph some products. Most you tube videos show people using regular 100 watt fluoroscent bulbs with standard desk lamps. Should I use those?

I also have some pretty high end video lights that were given to me years ago. Putting two pics of those:

light1 - kage65 s library

light2 - kage65 s library

Should I use the high end lights or the run of the mill fluorescent ones? Thanks.

 

[Designer]

Those video lights produce a lot of heat, and for that reason, I'm out.

The fluorescent bulbs can work for product photography, but be mindful of the light color, and correct the white balance in post.

You could use flash also, but get ones that have modeling lights in them.

You could also use incandescent lights, but again, watch the color.

 

[kage65]

Thanks Designer,

When you say you're out, you mean you won't use them? Because of a fire hazard?

When you say correct the white balance in post, you mean change the color of the white in photoshop?

 

[Designer]

Thanks Designer,

When you say you're out, you mean you won't use them? Because of a fire hazard?

When you say correct the white balance in post, you mean change the color of the white in photoshop?

1. Just trying to make humor. Think nothing of it. Although fire hazard is a real possibility, just using that much power (which costs) and generates lots of heat is not necessary for the type of photography that you mentioned.

2. Yes, as you might imagine a photograph with the wrong colors is not good.

 

[MSnowy]

Hello,

I'm making my own light box to photograph some products. Most you tube videos show people using regular 100 watt fluoroscent bulbs with standard desk lamps. Should I use those?

I also have some pretty high end video lights that were given to me years ago. Putting two pics of those:

light1 - kage65 s library

light2 - kage65 s library

Should I use the high end lights or the run of the mill fluorescent ones? Thanks.

I would try using CFL Daylight white Bulbs.

 

[tirediron]

1. As mentioned, skip the work lights (sorry, they're not high-end video lights, they're inexpensive halogen work lights available at any D-I-Y store for $10 each). They use a lot of power, they get VERY hot, and yes, they present a very real fire hazard.

2. Regular, off-the-shelf fluorescent lights will work (again, as mentioned, getting daylight balanced will save you work), but despite how bright they appear, to a camera, they're actually quite dim, and can cause this issue.

3. You will be far, far better off in the long run (and by 'long', I mean a couple of weeks) to buy proper photographic lighting. It doesn't have to be expensive, especially for small products. 3-4 Yongnuo or Nissin speedlights, triggers, and lightstands can be had for <$300 (less if you buy used). In addition, buy the lighting bible. It will save you a LOT of time, and effort!

 

[Bebulamar]

You have to diffuse a lot to get good illumination with those big Yellow light in the pictures.

 

[kage65]

Ok ditched the DIY lights and have 2 100 watt fluorescents.

2015-03-07 2051 - kage65 s library

When I shoot, should I turn off my overhead lights ( there are about 6 overhead fluorescents of varying wattage).

Can someone recommend some exposure settings for me? Tks

 

[tirediron]

It's impossible to recommend exposure settings; we have no idea of all of the possible variables. I will say that 2 x 100 watt tubes are very little light, and you're going to be using high ISOs, slow shutter speeds, and larger apertures.

 

[kage65]

It's impossible to recommend exposure settings; we have no idea of all of the possible variables. I will say that 2 x 100 watt tubes are very little light, and you're going to be using high ISOs, slow shutter speeds, and larger apertures.

ok thanks.

 

[jtyson]

What are you taking pictures of? I'm a terrible photographer, but I have built light boxes before, as well as demo tables that I have used for larger items. For my light boxes, I make them rather crude, but I like the results. I use them to photograph the items I sell online. The tables I've set are the same concept, but instead of a box, I hang heavy white bed sheets.

Cardboard box, white poster board, 3 drop lights with daytime CFL bulbs. Total cost is about $15 for an 18" box. Add another $20-30 if you don't have any drop lights laying around

I uploaded a picture of the box with one light. I put one light on each side too. I cut the sides and top of the box out and hot glue white poster board inside. Then the one piece of poster board from the top/back to the bottom/front with a curve. Again, crude design, but I like it better than the soft boxes I've bought online that cost me in the $50-100 range.

The other picture is an example of the box in use with just the one light on top. Both pictures were taken with an iphone 5 held in hand, so with a real camera and a tripod or some sort of rest, I'm sure you could do much better.