One problem I have had when trying to sell things (weather it be craigslist, ebay or just a classified ad) is taking those dreaded pictures! It seems like I can never just get the camera to show the light in just the right spot and my subject matter tends to just look "blah" when I'm done. Let's all face it- it is about the looks and I haven't done my things any justice! I don't have a terrible camera but like many of us I'm sure I just don't know how to operate it (but that's on my list of "to learn" things another time). So I decided to come up with an easy, inexpensive way to help aid in those pictures to get more cash for those items I want to sell. Who wouldn't want more cash for their things?
A simple DIY light studio is just the thing for you if you are wanting to make your items look better and retail at a higher value. With much of what you probably already have around the house and few other inexpensive items you can really make a mound of a difference and make a showstopping showcase item! Here's how I did it!
DIY Light Studio (large fold-able version for storage)
What you'll need:
Foam board (5 pieces of 30x20 inches)
Poster board (2 pieces)
Heavy duty tape (I used packing tape on a tape gun)
White wrapping tissue paper
Cutting mat
Box cutter or scissors
Pencil
Ruler
Additional items when using your light studio:
Clamps or heavy duty clothing pins
Clamp lamps or adjustable neck table top desk lamps (I used three of them)
Craft paper or freezer paper
Directions:
First take two pieces of foam board and lay them next to each other with the 30 inch sides together. Tape these sides together with heavy duty tape on the bad side first (the side that has a sticker on it it) then smoothly tape the nice side together. Set this aside. This piece is your base for you light studio. *You can omit taping this together to make storage easier or you can tape them loosely in the middle so you can fold this piece.
Next take your two pieces of poster board and lay them down next to each other with the longer sides touching. Tape these pieces together with your heavy duty tape. This piece is the top part of your light studio.
Now you need to mark your two side pieces. Mark one of the pieces of foam board (30x20 inches) by marking two inches on the top and the bottom (on the 30 inch length) with your pencil. Then mark four inches in (on the 20 inch sides). I used a dashed line and then used my ruler on my cutting mat to make sure my lines were straight.
When you've marked the two pieces, carefully use a box cutter to cut out the center of each piece. You will probably have to cut around this area at least twice to get it to cut through the foam board. Once the middle section is cut out, you are ready to set in your tissue paper. Lay the tissue paper over the opening (I did this on the side of my foam board that still had the label on it that I couldn't get off). Starting on one end begin taping the tissue paper to the foam board, pulling the tissue paper tightly and smoothly.
Next take each side piece (long ways) and tape one to each side of the the remaining piece of foam board. Tape them loosely to the top side so that you can fold them easily and shape them for your light box.
Now you just need to assemble and step up your light box when you are ready to use it. To assemble the light box place your bottom piece down first. Next put your three piece section with the tissue paper sides on top of the base. At this point take craft paper or freezer paper and drape it from the back of the box to the front of the box like a runner. Next clip the top to the side panels (this adds support and bounces the light in the box). Set up your lamps on the sides and in front of the box. Now your ready to start taking pictures!
Here are some pictures of my rings using my new light studio! I'm so excited of the results and just can't wait to start taking some more pictures!
-Mallory Mudd Pomerville
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