Build a Collapsible DIY Macro Studio With Popup Laundry-Bag
Portable light box comes in handy for most product photography work. We did feature a cardboard light tent way back, but it was not collapsible. How can we say no to collapsible. With collapsibility in mind Kumaran Alagesan went and made a tent for $5.
Below are the stuff that I picked up at Wal-Mart and Dollar Tree.
Materials needed
- Collapsible Laundry bag = 3$
- Rectangular/circular White Table Cover = 1$
- White poster-board = 1$
- Other tools needed: Scissors, Staple gun, small plier
Step 1
Once you take the Collapsible Laundry bag and the table-cover out of the packing, sketch out the borders of the Laundry bag onto the table cover. Don't have the table cover spread out completely to last layer, instead have it in two layer folds to give it a little strength.
Step 2
Use a pair of scissors to cut out 3 pieces of the shape from the table cover. The shape doesn't have to be precise, leave the ends off both sides as in picture. This will help having more space later while stapling the shapes to the laundry bag.
Step 3
Remove the mesh fabric off the laundry bag from the sides. I left the mesh on the top as it is.
Step 4
Time to fit the white poster board inside the Laundry bag. Fit the poster board inside the laundry bag, marked and cut the excess sheet off. Staple the poster board inside the laundry bag’s top.
Step 5
Now is stapling time. Start stapling the shapes cut previously from the table cover onto the laundry bag sides and top. A bigger staple gun, the better and easier the job would be. Use pliers to tighten the staples if you couldn't get a perfect fit.
Here is how the finished Macro Studio on the inside should look like.,
In action,
Obviously, this Macro Studio is limited to smaller items to shoot. This can also be build with laundry bag placed vertically for bigger items.
About The Author
Kumaran Alagesan is an amateur photographer and a Computer Engineer who never get tired of trying n learning new stuff especially in photography. You can watch more of his work on 500px and Flickr.
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Comments
macro = small
I'm thinking since it's a "macro studio" that fact that "this Macro Studio is limited to smaller items to shoot" shouldn't be a problem. ;)
Thanks for the post. This is a great idea. Several years ago, I purchased a similar light box for around $150
How do you collapse this
How do you collapse this without putting a fold/crease in the poster board which is stapled to the laundry bag?
Just don't staple it. I use
Just don't staple it. I use all sorts of poster cardboard and foamboard and use those paper clip clamps (the metal clips with the "folding" fingers that expand the clamp for clamping large amounts of paper together) to attach the poster sheets together or to other objects.
these are called "binder
these are called "binder clips"
pretty good huh! A while ago
pretty good huh!
A while ago I tried to do the same, but did not know how!
now I know how.
thanks
Awesome! I'm totally going to
Awesome! I'm totally going to try this.
What types of lights would you recommend for this? I'm thinking that the desk lamp I have sitting around wouldn't be able to light the box up through the table cloth very well.
You could use it with a
You could use it with a tripod and a longer exposure :)
I'm interested in shooting my
I'm interested in shooting my pet rats, who tend to move around a lot.
collapsible hamper light box
Great idea. It reminds me of another great idea that Craig & Nadine Blacklock mention in their: "Photographing Wildflowers: Techniques for the Advanced Amateur and Professional"
Basicly--find a wildflower, use a big white plastic sheet and bendable tent poles to build a temporary tent over it. This will difuse harsh sunlight and give you more of an overcast day type of light (which is great for wildflowers). You can also use a flash from outside the tent. I think they figured how to take very low light shots by stopping down and time exposing while fireing the flash several times from different directions out side the tent.
I can't do it
I almost think this is too much work, would rather buy one.
Light Tent
I think it's a great idea - thanks very much - oh and Bill, you are not entering into the spirit of things :-)
Nothing wrong withthe idea.
Nothing wrong withthe idea. If I were take away from all my work in photography to take the time to build this, it would probably cost me more, than it would in loss of revenue. As far as my spirit, you have no idea.
You could just...
Pop up the hamper, and then drape the tablecloth over it, or wrap it around a little more tightly. Same effect, no sewing or gluing. Takes all of 10 seconds to setup and collapse. But hey, if you want to spend $75--150, by all means, buy me one too.
Awesome
This post is super awesome. I might try it! I saw a similar thing on Amazon for $60! They're ripping you off! I love it when people find the better alternatives!
Will you guys make a video?
cool..
I'm glad you liked it.. Making a video is a good idea but incase you need any assistance building it..
Cheers
Macro Studio
I think this is a great idea,, I did a similar one using a similar folding pop out pet box I found at a yard sale (it looked a lot like the laundry hamper) It was mulicolored so I had to open all four sides and recover them all to do it but your idea was much quicker. What a good idea! Thanks for sharing! Most of us appreciate these money saving tips in this economy. As for the ones who can't be "bothered" with the time loss or it is too much trouble. Let them spend the money they want to throw away at a company who spent probably even less to build their items and charged the idiots 150 bucks. Everyone needs income so at least the companies who made these made money off those who are lazy or not creative enough to do it! THANK GOD for those of us who think outside the box so our photos can have the same results as those who spend lots more money *(talk about lost revenue) to do the same pic!
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