Have you ever noticed that the lighting in my house blows? It’s great for relaxing, but really terrible for any kind of photography. I can get a great shot anywhere else.

It’s getting old, so I decided to make a light box to get better photos. Yes, it works, and, yes, I’m excited 🙂

Here’s my proof.

I took this picture (above) of my exacto knife before I made my light box.

I took this picture (above) in the light box when I was finished with it.

That’s a significant quality upgrade!

Want to try it?

Things You Will Need:
Tape
Pencil
Foamcore
Exacto knife
Tissue paper
Hot melt glue
Self-healing mat

Step 1
Cut out 5 squares from the foamcore. The sizing will depend on what size light box you want. I needed a small one, so I chose 10×10 inch cut outs.

Step 2
On 2 of the cut outs, measure in about 1 inch on each side and cut out another square.

Step 3
Measure the tissue paper to fit on the inside of the pieces you just cut the center out of. I measured the tissue paper to 9.5×9.5 inches. Then, pull the edges tight and tape them down.

The tissue paper is thin enough to allow extra light into the box and the white color of the foamcore will bounce the light to create a better environment to photograph your object.

Note: I know you know that tissue paper will rip easily, but I’m just going to remind you because I had to repeat step twice.

Step 4
Use your hot melt glue to adhere the pieces together. You should have something like the above image.

I am soooo happy to have my new light box.

I made a light box during my senior year of college (it probably got lost when I moved). One of my assignments for my graphic design class was to make a magazine spread for a product catalog. I chose jewelry as my product because I’ve always loved the photography in the magazines.

Little did I know, photographing jewelry was going to be a lot harder than I imagined. I tried to photograph it in my apartment, outside in the sun, outside on a dreary day, etc. None of the environments I tried gave me the results I wanted.

I got desperate, so I set up a meeting with the department’s jewelry and metals professor. She pulled through, thankfully. She taught me how to make the same light box I just made. She also told me to find lights with more of a white tint. Apparently, most lamps come with bulbs that have a yellow tint and that makes it harder to capture that beautiful shine that you typically find in jewelry magazines. She’s brilliant 🙂

Happy crafting!