The 2nd challenge this month over at Dreamtime Designs is to create a working light box. The challenge is in 4 parts and each part must be tackled. Now that might seem a daunting task but it really is quite simple if you take it step by step.Part A.
Do some on line research about creating a handmade light box and decide which design will better suit you and your needs. Give credit to design in your challenge post.
I had already been thinking about a light box for taking better photos with but had the constraint of storage for a shop bought one so this challenge was ideal. My criteria was simple it had to dismantle and be put together in seconds and need to fold completely flat for storage under a chest of drawers. Whilst I was mulling this over my friend Di spotted a tutorial on the web and pointed me in the right direction. Here. I liked the look of this so after modifying to my own specifications this is what I made.
Part B.
Create Light box taking step by step photos .explain each step with how you are putting it together until your project is complete. Give/show list of supplies.
I had no idea what foam core was but again my friend Di came to the rescue and told me I could purchase it from Hobby Craft. Thanks Di.
I bought a 5 sheet pack in A3 size. (11¾ " x 16 ¼).
I used the width of the steel ruler as my guide for making the interlocking tabs and masking tape for marking which sections to cut away. I double checked my markings before cutting and used a craft knife which sliced through the foam board with ease.
Here you can see 3 sides slotted together to make sure that it fitted before cutting the last sheets.
Once they had all been cut I marked the back of each piece with the position they needed to be in to make the box up (they will only fit one way). Here they are piled in the order of contstruction.
The back is laid out first and then the sides are slotted into the base on the left and right.
The back is slotted in place and finally the sides are folded up to complete the box.
The finished light box which I had decided to make the other way up as I wanted my lights to be shining down into the box and not from the front. This also eliminated the need for a separate back drop.
Part C.
Take a photo of one of your designs without the light box as you would normally have done. This is your before photo.
This is my perpetual calendar that is always on my desk and was handy to use for the experiment. Taken as I normally do using a green cloth background on a table beside my desk. Desk lights are on and to the side of the table.
Take another photo of the same design but this time inside your light box. This is your after photo.
I then put the calendar inside the light box which I stood on my desk and had the floor white/daylight lamp and the desk white/ daylight lamp on overhead.
Part D.
Explain your experience including
1. Has the light box helped you ? if so How? As you can see from the photos the light box has eliminated the dark shadows cast by the calendars sides Image is also more defined.
2. Are you using the light box inside or outside of the house? Inside as above.
3. Are you using lights? if so which kind? Yes. As explained above.
4.Tell 2 tips or tricks about creating or using the light box.
Tips and tricks.
Buy 1 more piece of the foam than you need in case of errors. My pack came with 5 and I only needed 4. (I very nearly cut the wrong tab off of one piece whilst contructing and only just spotted in time!)
Make longer tabs( as I have ) if you will be taking apart each time as this will save wear and tear on the joints. If the box is to be made up permanently then dovetail smaller so that it fits together snugly.
Use only light pencil marks as these are easier to erase off and use masking tape for writing on.
Store in a plastic cover as the whiteboard marks very easily.
And finally my most important criteria. Yes it fits under the chest of drawers!! It also makes up in under 1 minute. (I timed myself.)
Dreamtime Designs challenge #2: Construct a light box.
