Create a light box effect for brighter photos with simple inexpensive items you can find at your local dollar store.
Creating a Light Box Effect For Under $2
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After reading How to Blog For Profit: Without Losing Your Soul I know that if I want my blog to expand farther I need to produce better photos.
I was blessed to be able to purchase a great camera (I have an older version of this one) and am slowly learning the ins and outs of it. I will admit I am still not brave enough to switch over to manual mode but I am hoping to eventually figure it out with the help of a few different ebooks I have waiting to read in my Kindle App.
For now, though I just wanted to make the backdrop of my photos look as good as the “wow” pins I see on Pinterest. I showed my husband the type of photos I wanted to create and we both decided they must have light boxes.
My husband told me that he currently did not have time to help me make a light box but for now, why didn’t I purchase 2 pieces of white foam board from Dollar Tree tape them together and drag them outside to the table I was currently using to photograph all my items on (our house does not have good light so I provide entertainment for the neighbors by taking pictures of food and other random items outside in all kinds of temperatures).
When I got to Dollar Tree my daughter gave me an even better idea, she pointed out that science fair boards were white and that you could get two pieces of white poster board for just $1. So for $1.50 plus tax my light box effect was born.
Just last night I tried it out on a popular post of mine “Simplest Fudge Ever”
Here is my sad indoor photo that was taken with my iPod touch
Here is the new photo that was taken with my new camera and poster board
I think you will agree with me that the change is dramatic!
Please note: This post was written in 2013 and updated in 2020. Since I wrote the original post I have learned so much more about photography (thanks in part to skillshare). These older photos kind of make me cringe. I know I could do better now using the same $2 lightbox if I were to redo the photos. But then I don’t think the post would be as genuine.
Smartphone cameras have vastly advanced since this post was first published and now think you can achieve great pictures for Instagram and Pinterest with your smartphone (no need for an expensive camera) but this lightbox tip still creates better photos than indoor lighting with no backdrop. I still use this tip to create great photos –with different boards since this post of course!
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Thanks for a GREAT tip! I’m no photographer – and can use all the help I can get. And, I DO love a bargain : )
Wow! Your new picture looks awesome.
I’ve been trying to think of ways for better backgrounds too. Thanks! I may try this soon.
Carrie
I love it! I struggle with this too. I usually take pictures on my son’s bed because it has the best light, but I love the idea of the science boards! I can’t believe that never occurred to me. Thanks!
It never really occurred to me either. I really need to give my 11 year old daughter all the credit. She was the one who pointed out to me how well it would work.
Wow! That is awesome! I read the same book, and felt inspired to push myself with my writing and photography. I’ve been using a sheet, but I’m just not happy with it. Plus I feel like it’s prone to getting stained.
Thanks for linking up at Fabulously Frugal Thursday!
I am sure the bottom board in my light box will get stained quickly too since I am not the neatest baker but the good thing is when it does it will just cost me .50 cents to replace.
I love your photos will follow the tips need help with the food photos can’t do anything about trying to photograph a siamese just have to catch him in the act. Following you now have a great day
LOVE this! This is the best frugal post I have read all week. I have needed a light box for quite a while. Dollar Tree here I come. Thanks for linking up for Fabulously Frugal Thursday.
Thank you for this idea! Just what I needed–and within my budget.
I love how you made your lightbox and so cheap too. The second photo is gorgeous. Pictures, especially for pinterest, are SO important and it’s wonderful that you are taking the steps to take better pictures. Way to go! Thanks for linking up to Thrifty Thursday.
Great idea!!! I love this. So much easier than making a light box, which I just don’t have the time and patience for right now. Found you through Fellowship Fridays!
Genius! The lighting in our house is pitiful for photography, so I am always shooting photos on my back deck. Lighting is ALWAYS an issue for me, so this simple, cheap trick will be useful!
Love this idea!! My husband made me a light box with tissue paper once (it didn’t come with us when we moved across the country) to take pictures for my etsy shop. It couldn’t handle very big items to photograph and it didn’t collapse to store well.
I have one of these boards! I tried using the white side of my reflector as a background, but I need to reshoot my photo trying this method. Thanks for the tip!
If you want to change up the bottom, (depending on how big your dish is) you could always grab a bigger sheet of scrapbook paper (or 2) to go underneath.
Great idea! Thanks for adding it.