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Monday, March 30, 2009

My light box is made.

With very special THANKS to Ron of The Merlin Menu (here's the link) http://themerlinmenu.blogspot.com/2009/03/macro-photography-light-box.html
I have now completed my light box and taken a few test photographs to see how it works. And I can say, that I am dead chuffed.
I used a very simple Kodak (Easy share) C763 digital camera (7.1 mega pixels), no flash and used the close up option. Then re sized and cropped thru Picasa.
I am really quite excited now about taking photographs for my blogs, they should be far more professional. With winter coming on and the light not being as good, as in the summer, there will be no stopping me now. Thank you Ron for sharing this information on your blog.


Please note, I have just edited this post to show the actual light box that I made. See, it's just a cardboard box with the front cut off and then panels cut in the top and sides. Then the vellum taped on. For the backing of each photo, I shall change the cardboard colour to suit myself. The lights I used are standard desk lamps with 60w bulbs in them. At the moment it is set up on top of my stove and using the light from the extractor fan. But there's no need to have extra light, as the two at the sides is enough.
Sorry for this edit, but I realised there was not enough information on the light box for you all.

17 comments:

Lisa said...

Wow, fab photo!! I have been thinking about making a lightbox too - and I can see it is definitely worth the effort. Looking forward to seeing more clever pics! x

Sally said...

Thank you Lisa. I saw Ron's picture on Recipemuncher and just had to give it a go.

Semlan said...

all I can say is just :WOOOOW!!!!

Ron Merlin said...

Super! I'm glad it worked out well for you. I use mine ALL the time.

Patricia @ ButterYum said...

Excellent.... much better than what I had to do to get a photo on Foodgawker. Here's my post about it:

http://butteryum.blogspot.com/2009/03/foodgawker-worthy.html

Patricia @ ButterYum said...

What kind of lamps/lights did you use? Can you post some photos of your lightbox set-up?

Kerry said...

That's a fantastic photo, Sal

Anonymous said...

Looks fabulous Sal, what a great idea!

Sally said...

ButterYum. I used the same as Ron on his blog, except I used standard desk lamps with 60w bulbs in. I didn't want to use the clip on type. I will try and add a picture of the set up, on the post.
Kerry, K.G.,Ron, ButterYum and Semlan, THANK YOU for your lovely comments.

Not Another Omnivore said...

That looks awesome! Taking better pictures is on my list of things to learn, but a little further down than is ideal...

NAOmni

Coby said...

Sal thank you so much for sharing the knowledge:) I will be visiting Ron too:) This looks like something even someone like me could manage:) WINTER yes, I was thinking I'd have to stop photos as the light's too poor, so thanks for giving me hope:) Where do I find the special paper though please? I know you're not near me, but type of shop perhaps?

Sally said...

Coby, Vellum is tracing paper. I didn't know, had to ask. So office supplies or stationary shops. Do you have an Office Works?, they might have it. Hint... Get a really big box and strong too. Cut with a Stanley knife or hobby knife. Get too much Vellum, I made mistakes and had to go back and get some more.
Good Luck.MWA.

Cuisinette said...

I stumbled upon your lovely blog and I discovered the lightbox. I must thank you from the bottom of my heart for the idea, I soooo needed this for my food photos.

Best wishes,
Cuisinette

Coby said...

Thanks BIG heaps Hottie:D LOL Tracing Paper I know:):) Thanks so much for all your hints! I am so thrilled I will still be able to try my hand at half decent photos through the winter months:)

Coby said...

Hottie, I want to thank you again for this post. I am hoping to be able to set up my own lightbox soon:) Have mentioned it in our blog with full credit and thanks to you:)

Coby said...

Hi Hottie :) Just updating you with my thanks. My lighting box is on it's way. Have started with two 40w globes and discovered they are not powerful enough (I couldn't remember what you used and The Lovely Man shopped for me). I did a test and it's close but no cigar. Just another thanks though for setting me on the light path :)

Clabby said...

Thanks for sharing this Hottie. Food photography is addictive and since mine are coming on I've been looking at ways to improve them. I think this is what i need.