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Does anyone use a light box for taking pictures? NOT EMBOSSING TABLE
I was really hoping to improve the pictures I take of my cards when posting to my blog and my gallery, so last night I bought the $50 light box kit from Walmart. My craft room is in my basement and I only get to stamp at night, so needless to say, my lighting is not ideal.
I set my box up and took a few pictures only to be very disappointed in how they looked. The shadowing was very bad. The kit comes with two lights that I thought you put one on each side and that takes away the shadowing... but it didn't work.
Sadly, I'm at work and can't show one of the pictures, but does anyone know what I'm doing wrong? Where exactly should the lights go? It still seemed dark in the box even with both lights on. I tried using my flash and not using my flash... nothing gave me that WOW picture.
I've never heard of using a light box but can I tell you what I LOVE using for pictures I upload to my blog and gallery?? The Photo Studio in a Box! I got it off ebay and it was only $20. The quality of my pictures are so much nicer now. Sometimes I just take a quick pic without setting it up but I can really tell the difference. Good luck!!
Photo Studio in a Box...never heard of it!! But it sounds fabulous! Thanks for sharing...now I am probably going to be spending more money!!! :twisted:
Robyn~ Can you tell us a little more about it...how much space it takes, what it is exactly...only if you have time...otherwise I will search the Bay for it...
Robyn--way cool! I just went and googled it, then searched ebay. Never heard of it, but it looks awesome!!! The key is the tungsten lighting.
Amy--your lights are too harsh. That's why you're getting the shadows. I say you return your lightbox to Wallyworld and get this for basically the same price! ;-)
__________________ Diane H.
TAC Demonstrator #1484/Manager, Smilin' Stampers My TAC SiteMy BLOG
I've never heard of using a light box but can I tell you what I LOVE using for pictures I upload to my blog and gallery?? The Photo Studio in a Box! I got it off ebay and it was only $20. The quality of my pictures are so much nicer now. Sometimes I just take a quick pic without setting it up but I can really tell the difference. Good luck!!
This is exactly like what I got from Walmart!
I'm still getting terrible shading. Can you tell me how you place your lights so you don't get shadows?
I hadn't heard of a lightbox til last year. My husband is into photography.. and built one (he says its mainly for my cards... but he uses it for way more than my cards). He made it himself out of some PVC piping, the corner pieces of PVC, just plain white fabric, and he has 2-3 lights that he can clip onto it. I don't know much about it. I just give him a stack of cards once and a while, then he loads them onto his computer.
I wish I had a gallery set up to show you the results... or even him here to explain the lighting set up.... but I'm currently working in a different town for a few months, so I'm not seeing him too often. But I can ask if you'd like more info... or anyone who wants to build one (relatively cheap), I can probably link some instructions.
Oh--I thought you meant that you actually used exposed bulbs from a regular light box. That is what would give you harsh light. I'd go with Terri's suggestion and move the lights around. Also move the card around--varying distances from the background. Move the camera-different angles. Just play and try to see what you get....
THEN...let us know... ;-) I'm interested! ;-)
__________________ Diane H.
TAC Demonstrator #1484/Manager, Smilin' Stampers My TAC SiteMy BLOG
I have found recently if you put your light at the back end facing slightly forward the results are great. You really just need to mess around with it.
While its a great item it doesn make you an instant photo professional. So dont get discouraged! Keep "workin" the set up!
I just finished putting a little tutorial on my blog on how I use this photobox. I really could use the expensive lighting with it but my system works for now. http://thepinkstamper.blogspot.com/2...to-in-box.html
Lauren, you are awesome!! Did I mention that I got the idea from her blog a few months ago?? Sorry, I forgot to give you credit Lauren. You are one of my favorite enablers!!
Cool, Dorinda! I just came across that link to strobist.blogspot yesterday. I was just about to post it here, but you beat me! I am definitely going to try making one.
__________________ Deb ~ "Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God"
- Corrie Ten Boom
Thanks for the link Dorinda. I considered making my own, too, but I like to be able to break mine down. If you have the space then this is a great deal. For those that want to be able to put it way from kids, pets, etc, I would suggest paying the extra $5-10 to get the collapsable one.
LOL, Dorinda, that's the same link I was about to post. I posted it in one of the other forums Amy had posted this question in. It really is a great read! Lots of good info there.
Thanks for the link Dorinda. I considered making my own, too, but I like to be able to break mine down. If you have the space then this is a great deal. For those that want to be able to put it way from kids, pets, etc, I would suggest paying the extra $5-10 to get the collapsable one.
that is nice to be able to break it down and store it/put it away etc..
But I have an extremely small budget so the free box using white tissue paper from around the house worked the best for me until a time comes when I can get a studio in a box or the like