How to make a light box!!!!

Pictures are worth a thousand words! And in the online selling world, pictures can make or break your business. When you go to the store and shop you are able to try things on, see their true color under different light, feel the texture and material, and get a good idea of just what it is that you’re buying — right?! But what happens when the items you are trying to buy are listed on the internet? You can’t feel, smell, touch, or hear … all of your senses are disabled with the exception of sight. You are going to judge whether you like or dislike that item based on the way it is presented in the pictures that are listed.

So, what does this mean for sellers on the internet? This means that if you want to maximize the number of sales you have, you need to present your items in the best light possible (every pun intended here!). 

If you’re like me, you don’t want to spend money if you can do it yourself and yield the same results. One day I was at my local photography store I saw one of these “Pop-Up” light tents. It consisted of a collapsible white fabric box with a hole in the front and 3 lights – used for photographing small objects in photographic studios (like the shot of the chocolate reindeer to the left).

I was going to purchase it until I saw the $100 price tag. No way I am going to spend $100 on some fabric and 3 lights when the material costs far less. So I set off and built one of these light tents and it did not come out bad at all.

Here are the tools and items you will need to get started:

• A Box — any box will do. The size of the box will depend on the items that you are selling.
• Fabric — any type will do, but it is recommended that you buy a white muslin. You will need to buy enough to cover the entire box that you have chosen to use.
• Tape
• Glue — a glue stick or spray adhesive is fine (really any glue is fine, liquid just takes long to dry)
• White bristol board (a heavey weight paper that is used for drawing) — I would suggest that you buy about four of these because you will need to do a little cutting
• A Light — a bright desk lamp will work best for small and medium sized boxes. A clamp light may work well for larger boxes.

Here is the process:

• Take your box with a tape ruler and marker and measure in 2″ from the side of the box marking multiple points with your marker. When your done you will see your border, connect the points using your straight edge to where you should have a nice looking square/rectangle in the middle of the box with a 2″ border around it. Leave the top and bottom of the box alone as you will not need to mark it 
  

  STEP 1

• Cut out the boxes you’ve drawn. Repeat that to the sides of the box where you have drawn the boxes. When you’re done, cut off the top of the box or remove the flaps on the top of the box. LEAVE THE BOTTOM INTACT!
• Now take your Bristol board and make lines with your marker for every two inches 16 times. Then proceed to cut out 16 strips with your scissors. Glue the paper strips into the box. Make sure the side with marker goes against the cardboard so it can not be seen.

STEP 3

• Take another piece of Bristol board and cut is so the width is the same as the inside of the box and the length is much longer then the box.  Place the long piece of Bristol board into the box to where the piece curves to the bottom. Avoid creasing as it will show up in your photo. Cut off excess paper that is sticking out the top.

1. 

   STEP 4

• Cut your fabric to where it will cover the holes. Then cut a big piece to where it will cover the top of the box.  Tape the fabric to cover the holes in the box except the one that is facing your background. Then tape the top piece on.
  

  STEP 5

YOU’RE DONE!! Now all that you have to do is light the box.

Voila!

There are many variations on creating a light box, but this is what I have found works for me. If you are having a shadow problem then I suggest lighting the other sides of the boxes. Once you have it constructed, feel free to play around with your new construction and have fun!!

Happy photographing, and I’ll see you at checkout!

Holiday Gift Buying Guide 2009 — Gifts for Men

Ladies, here it is! As promised, I have looked over the Etsy.com pages to find for you some gifts that I really think the men in your lives would like. There is a variety, so please don’t worry. Here goes:

1) Red Dawn Shampoo, Shaving, Bath Beer Soap ($5.00) — thebeersoapcompany.etsy.com

Red Dawn Shampoo, Shave, and Bath Beer Soap (Made with Sam Adams Irish Red Ale)

 2) Keepsake Cufflinks ($70.00) — tinytokensdesigns.etsy.com

Keepsake Cufflinks (Hand Stamped Sterling Silver Cufflinks)

3) Seatbelt Messenger Bag ($66.00) — interrobang.etsy.com

Seatbelt Messenger Bag

4) Drinking Glass Beer Bottles ($60.00 for set of 6) — nickpaul.etsy.com

Drinking Glass Beer Bottles (Recycled and Glass-Blown Beer Bottles)

 5) Hand Engraved Long Rifle Pocket Knife ($115.00) — djreigel.etsy.com

Hand Engraved Long Rifle Pocket Knife

 Ladies and gentleman, there it is … a beginning shopping guide for those picky (but loveable) men in our lives. Feel free to follow the links to the artists shops on Etsy.com and see what other treasures you might find — as always, there is something new every minute.

Next week I will be adding a holiday shopping guide for pets. EXCITING! Who doesn’t love pampering those little furry companions that love us all unconditionally.

Until then, I will see you at checkout!