Making a Light Tent

[CherylB]

Okay, so I was a little envious of Rick and his new light tent (http://www.ausphotography.net.au/for...d.php?t=34329). So, I decided I had to get me one. However, I chose the cheap option - DIY! And because I'm proud of my achievements ( ), I decided to share with you all the making of my home-made light tent. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.

1. Take one box.
   
   (Beer/Scotch/Vodka etc works just as well)
   
2. Drink contents of box.
   
3. After consuming contents (or during if preferred), make square holes in side of box.
   
   
4. Once sober, discard box.
   
5. Take another box.
   
   
6. Make square holes in side of box. Remove top flaps, but not bottom flaps.
   
7. I said NOT the bottom flaps!!!
   
8. Repeat steps 5 and 6.
   
9. Line inside of box with white strips, applying with glue – carefully. Leave to dry.
   
10. If required, paint or decorate outside of box.
    
    
11. Cut a piece of semi-flexible white cardboard to fit from the inside bottom front to top back with a curve at the back (no lines) and fix in place.
    
    
12. Pinch mum’s/nanna’s old white summer-of-love muslin dress from closet.
    
13. With scissors, carefully cut a strip from back of dress – enough to cover two sides and top of box.
    
14. Replace remains of dress back in closet, arranging folds so small missing strip is not immediately visible.
    
15. Glue muslin strip across top and down two sides, leaving front hole open, or if preferred, affix some tortuous and elaborate fastening device to secure and remove muslin as and when required.
    
    (Or, just wrap it around!)
    
16. Obtain one, two or three portable gas lamps, light and arrange around muslin covered holes as desired.
    
17. Place object of beauty inside box.
    
18. Take photograph of beautiful object.
    
    
19. Post photograph on Australian Photography forum.
    

Anyway, it kinda works - I only have one light, so I had some shadows. I'll have to get a couple more lights so I can remove the shadows, but overall, it seems to do the job!

[leanneqld]

A very entertaining tutorial
I made one of these (very similar to yours) a while back. It does do a fairly good job.
Portable gas lamps though? You didn't? Right?

[I @ M]

Absolutely excellent post.
The tutorial and top quality photographs along the way are perfect.
The proof of the pudding is in the eating as they say and your "beautiful object" shot is the proof that all went well.

Of course, the humour and bonus photos at the begining make the post an instant classic.
Love it, I started the morning with a good laugh and that's a great start to any day.

[Harves]

A great tutorial Cheryl

[SpaceJunk]

Splendid work Cheryl, I know I can get the 'empty the box' part right.............

[yummymummy]

Thanks Cheryl, that was a fantastic start to the day..lol very funny, yet very informative I'm really going to have to give this a go I think, the only problem here being keeping the kids/cat out of the box lol

[Debra Faulkner]

Oh Cheryl, Thank you for that! Love it and looking forward to more of your beautiful objects' photos Excellent thread.

[Kym]

Very well done!
If you don't have that old dress Spotlight has cloth for this.

Here are another couple of versions:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Ligh...phy-Light-Box/
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/200...light_box.html

The image is just right - light, DoF etc. all spot on!

[Seesee]

Woohoo.....I've now got an excuse to consume more "objects"

Nicely put together little tutorial Cheryl...a good DIY idea

[Nanny]

10 points Cheryl

[CherylB]

Glad you all enjoyed this! I certainly had fun putting it together.

Kym - I did actually use the Spotlight option - at $1.99 a metre for muslin, it doesn't break the bank!!

This is where I got the idea from:

http://digital-photography-school.co...ive-light-tent

[charton]

Loved the tutorial. Very well put together.

[Miaow]

Great work Cheryl works well Love the humour in it

[old dog]

very good entertainment Cheryl. I will try this LT. I have a few boxes of red that I will now have to consume a bit faster.

[Lani]

Nice one Cheryl....although you did forget step 20...drink contents of beautiful object!

[Cathi]

I'm LMAO here.. very entertaining tutorial!!! I've often thought of doing one of these, but never have.. might have to give it a go now!!

[kiwi]

I failed, I never got past Step 2

[ving]

on ya cheryl, ur a crackup!

[JessJane]

awesome stuff!
love it

[matilda]

Cheryl you're funny

i think once i move (cause I'll have boxes then), i'll make myself one.