Make this unordinary DIY light box with only three items and for less than $10

DIYP team has seen and made some pretty awesome DIY light boxes using all sorts of materials: PVC pipes, coroplast and a cardboard box, to name a few. And now we’ve found something a bit … unordinary. But it’s cheap, easy, and most of all – it seems to work. It could be good as “first aid”, at least. The Crafs Man shared a video showing you how to make your own light box – out of a garbage can. It takes three items and no more than $10, so if you’re on a really tight budget, you could give it a shot.

You will need

White plastic garbage can
A light source
Small piece of glass (optional) – you can take it off a picture frame

The setup

The setup is pretty simple. You should put the object you’re photographing into a can, and place the light source directly on top of the garbage can. Crafs Man used a cheap old clamp light he had lying around. You can use whatever you like and have, of course. Keep in mind that you shouldn’t leave the incandescent bulb on the can for too long, as it could melt the plastic.

If you would like glossy, reflective surface underneath the object, you can place a piece of glass in the can, and put the object onto it. I would also add white paper as a backdrop.

Feel free to experiment and push the DIY factor to the max. Use natural light, small flash lights and LEDs. Move the light along the can, and use more than just one light. You can also try out some macro shots with this setting.

Considering my cat destroyed my last light box (the cardboard one), I’m thinking of trying this one out. Destroy this, kitty!

If you decide to have fun with this setting, don’t forget to send us the results.

[$7 DIY Photo Light Box – Jewelry Photo Diffuser Reflector – Better Ring Pictures via Instructables]

Rob LeBlanc

No.
Rafael A. P Maduro

finally a good article here, hahahaha in all good spirit ill try this one out
Stereo Reverb

Pretty creative. I can dig this.
MikeDF

great improvisation. I like the idea of the glass to give some reflection. I’ll give it a go at the weekend. If it doesn’t work then at least I’ll have a bin handy…
- Dunja0712
  
  Works like a charm! :D https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/a9e7b3cf50570a3ada71be0d3c7582bc3d5ffeee7ce0c8cf66b6eb79fc8bc410.jpg
Bubba Jones

Oh my, this is too-cool! Very much like you technique.

For my light tent I built a frame with PVC pipe, then draped a white sheet. Your idea is much easier than mine, with mine there is assembly and disassembly, not yours. With your idea one can put all their kit in the garbage can take it to location, outside in the yard if need be.

Suggestion, with a larger white garbage can you could cut a side off, place it over a plant then shoot. That technique would keep the breeze from moving the plant. Inside the can you could place colored paper or patterns for the out of focus background.