Hi guys,

Just too bored last weekend and too much house chores to be done and in the evening I did not have any mood to build models, so I tried to build a light box.

What I use is:
1) An unused box (I use HLJ box, what else :lol: ) 60cm x 40cm I think (I did not measure it)
2) A sharp blade
3) Ruler for measuring
4) A sheet of mahjong paper (the white thin paper for those that never heard of it)
5) A sheet of sugar paper (black paper)
6) Some masking tape.

First of all, I would like to apologize for not having the in-progress shot since during the time of building this light box, my camera battery went flat. <_< Now, off to the building...

I started with measuring the sides of the box to make a square hole. I reserve about 1 inch from all sides and draws the guide line.

Then I start to cut along the line with the sharp knife. I make two holes on each side of the box.

When that is done, I cut some of the mahjong paper slightly bigger than the size of the hole and using masking tape, I stick the mahjong paper to cover the hole. This will act as a filter for the light source that I will use for the photoshoot.

When both holes are covered with the mahjong paper, I then cut another piece about the size of the top of the box and stick it on top of the box. The white paper will bounce any light that goes into the box.

Finally, I use the leftover mahjong paper and stick it at the back of the box and leaving it trailing outwards. This will be the backdrop for the subject.

Below is how the lightbox that I build... it took me about an hour to get it done (maybe less).



As you can see, I place two lights and points it direct to the mahjong paper and the paper will act as a filter/diffuser for the light. You don't want strong light for model photography.

This is the sample that I took using the DIY lightbox.

My cheapo handphone.... :lol:


A Hotwheel diecast car (1/64 scale)


Looks good to me... :D

Since that is going well, I start with a slightly bigger subject... my 1/24 scale model car.









Looks good to me... what do you guys think??? :D

I tried a different backdrop using sugar paper. This is how I attach it to the box.



This is the outcome of the model kit with different backdrop.





Another model kit...






Looks good for a cheap DIY light box and using a simple Point-and-Shoot camera... :lol: :lol: :lol:

Imran,

Very practical and nice. Can also change backdrop color paper as well.
Would aluminium foil linned inside top of box help to reflect diffused light?

It should but since I don't want too strong light reflection from the top, I opt by using just white paper. :)

Imran,

nice invention...and very practical.. thanks for sharing it.... maybe a good dedicated camera will do lot mo better kan??

ehh, where did u get the light stand??


err sape yg calarkan bumper keta biru tu?? nakal sangat la ni kan dah kena calar

Tu bukan calar lah... itu reflection tali camera aku lah...

The white colour light stand I get from IKEA... Less than RM10 if I'm not mistaken. :)

wow this looks super easy to build and the effect is good. No need to spend all that $$$$ to buy the professional stuff hehe. Good tutorial ;)

thanks for sharing brader......errrr kalau lampu dari atas box pon boleh kan?

A very practical DIY box. Nice jobs.

A suggestion..... make another opening at the top with light source or juz place a reflector. Should make the pic brighter. ^_^

Azlandiver: Boleh kalau nak letak lampu dari atas tapi nak kena tambah lagi satu lampu lah...

Becky: Thanks for the suggestion. I will have to think whether to cut another hole or put reflector or alluminium foil as suggested by Mr. Leong (Multifilla). Will try later and will show the outcome when it is done.

Imran,

I using the same theory on photograhy, but I use baking paper instead of mahjong paper. :D

Baking paper should be able to filter lesser light thus making the image much brighter but during that time I did not have any baking paper at my house so I just simply use mahjong paper... :lol: :lol: :lol:

good. I may just make one as I am using a series of table lamps at the moment without any filters. Shadows all over the place....!

Great stuff !!!!! One of the best scale model photography tips to come along in this forum. Beck's tips on backdrop color as opposed to camera exposure settings was another. With this box your results look adverstisment worthy. You know, the kind of pics one sees in magazine and newspaper ads. Yes, it's that good!!! I will definitely give this contraption a try......perhaps for the next figure's pics I post here. Thanks for sharing this.

Cheers
Patrick

Interesting idea indeed.

Might try this out one fine day. ^_^

Thanks for the comments and suggestions guys but credit should go to this website. There are a lot of wonderful tips on photographing and lighting in here. I just use one of the tips here and try to do it by myself and since it works, I share it with all fellow modellers. :D

Nice studio..., lepas ni Spray Box pulak.. :D

Druid: Thanks for the site :lol: very informative. ^_^

Stronger foil reflection from top would give a sharper defined shadow beneath the car to highlight car. Now shadow blur sort of blended with car.
Should work and love to see result.

Consider thick parchment paper instead of majong and being wood free, parchment paper really defect translucent lights cleanly without showing wood chips patches. A better grade than baking paper.

Blue foam in 2mm thick used by Professional photographers do give crease free back drop. I think it sort of absorb flashlight but not too sure why blue.

PM where to get if interested.

informative nih..
maybe i can modify my spray booth to be this photobooth as well.. 2 in 1 ehheeh

thanks for the idea imran. :D

Very practical, cheap and effective light box Imran. Many thanks for sharing this with us. Has got the creative lubricant in my old, rusty blockhead moving too.

Not a problem guys, just glad to share some knowledge with the others. :D