Photo Light Tent

[Fred Belknap]

Anyone have plans or a link to a light tent. I would like to improve my photos of turnings. I have a few ideas but would like your opinions, I made one out of a cardboard box but it is kind of frail and the background is poster board with some gray paint. Also what about light bulbs to use. I'm using cfl and it probably isn't the best. Thanks

Fred

[Roger Chandler]

Fred,

I use a photo-gradient background, paper-clipped to a cardboard box [flattened] and sit it on top of my wood stove [not in use at the time]in the den. Certainly nothing fancy...........I have a florescent tube light above the area that gives me downward light, and the flash on the camera.............that is pretty much my set up.

I don't claim to have the best pics on this forum either! However, they are okay for now ........until I really get artsy :eek:;) in this craft! :D

[James Combs]

Here are a few links to some DIY tents.

http://www.digital-photography-school.com/how-to-make-a-inexpensive-light-tent
http://www.makeuptalk.com/beautyblog/how-to-make-an-inexpensive-light-tent-diy/
http://www.pbase.com/wlhuber/light_box_light_tent

All of these give some good info but In most of these cases you can substitute a PVC frame as shown in the last one. Google "DIY light tent" and you will find more.

Edit:
You will probably want to get a #39 gradiant backdrop too. Check here (http://www.phototechinc.com/graduate.htm), it is where most of us creekers have gotten them. Most of us use the 31" x 43" vertical format, vinyl and trim it to fit our booths/tents.

[Jamie Donaldson]

212784212785My tutorial for the Phrugal Photo Studio used to be posted somewhere here on the site, but here is the basic structure that I have been using for about the last 20 or so years that is a good size for most turnings. The entire set-up including light costs about $50 to construct, and further info is available under the Tips menu on my web site JamieDonaldsonWoodturner.com The commercial gradient backgrounds are overused, easily scratched, and rather expensive compared to this vinyl window shade. They are not suitable for any turning that has a dark top like a black finial, because the black on the turning blends into the black of the background. Most of the commercially available photo cubes are way too small for turnings larger than a pen, and the larger ones are way too expensive by comparison, and the light a 500 w Q/H work light from Lowes for about $10.

[Steve Schlumpf]

Jamie's article is posted in the Woodworking Articles and Reviews Forum (http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?57168-Article-Jamie-Donaldson-s-Phrugal-Photo-Studio)...

[Jamie Donaldson]

Thanks Steve, as I had no idea where it was hidden. I saw another of those tiny commercial enclosures this past weekend, and the 2 dinky lights that came with it wouldn't be bright enough to be good nightlights- what a waste of money!

[Greg Just]

I purchased the gradiant background along with a 5500K Color corrected Day Light Fluorescent Lamp Photo Bulb. Also, use a tripod with the time delay feature on your camera

[Bob Hamilton]

My setup is practically identical to the one in the third link that James provided. So much so that I suspect I must have seen that page before, although I don't recall it. The only difference with mine is that I use a couple of cheap sheets of foam core as reflectors to diffuse and reflect the light in from the front rather than shining the lights directly through the cloth on the sides.

My set-up:

http://www.bobhamswwing.com/justpics/2009/march/100_9608-800.jpg

The tripod for the camera is in front of the opening but doesn't show up too well.


The resulting picture from the above set-up:

http://www.bobhamswwing.com/justpics/2009/march/100_9612-800.jpg

Take care
Bob

[Fred Belknap]

Thanks everyone for the great information. I'm looking forward to having better pictures.