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Creating a Light Box Effect For Under $2
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 this January 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 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 a even better idea, she pointed out that the science fair boards were white and that you could get two pieces of 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 was my sad indoor before the fancy camera photo
Here is my new photo taken with my new camera and under $2 light box effect
I think you will agree with me that the change is dramatic!
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[email protected] says
October 9, 2013 at 8:15 pmThanks for a GREAT tip! I’m no photographer – and can use all the help I can get. And, I DO love a bargain : )
Kay says
October 9, 2013 at 8:54 pmWow! Your new picture looks awesome.
Carrie says
October 9, 2013 at 10:37 pmI’ve been trying to think of ways for better backgrounds too. Thanks! I may try this soon.
Carrie
Brittany @ThePrudentPatron says
October 10, 2013 at 7:57 amI 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!
Victoria says
October 10, 2013 at 8:14 amIt 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.
Barb @ A Life in Balance says
October 10, 2013 at 2:51 pmWow! 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!
Victoria says
October 11, 2013 at 5:30 amI 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.
lorraine williamson says
October 10, 2013 at 7:25 pmI 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
Heather M says
October 11, 2013 at 6:34 amLOVE 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.
Christina @ Keeping Home says
October 11, 2013 at 7:52 amThank you for this idea! Just what I needed–and within my budget.
Ruth @ Living Well Spending Less says
October 11, 2013 at 10:37 amI 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.
Gabrielle says
October 11, 2013 at 3:44 pmGreat 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!
The Hill Hangout says
October 14, 2013 at 10:27 amGenius! 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!
Stephanie @ Six Figures Under says
October 17, 2013 at 11:40 amLove 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.
Lila says
May 14, 2014 at 11:40 pmI 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!
Autumn says
October 12, 2018 at 1:27 pmIf 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.
Victoria says
October 13, 2018 at 3:28 pmGreat idea! Thanks for adding it.