lighting cubes

[syndjinn]

hi all,
i don\'t know if this is where to post this but this is my first post here so cut me some slack.

what i really want to know is .....where do all these pro painters get the light diffusser cubes from?you know the ones that eliminate the glare on your figs so you get perfect lighting.

if anyone can tell me who makes them or can give me a link it\'d be a great help.

thanks all

 

[Trevor]

Welcome to CMON.

I think a lot of people make their own setups. Unsure where you can buy them from, but I imagine camera shops would know where even if they didn\'t stock them.

 

[Orchid_Noir]

This page covers it.

I did mine out of foamcore using this as the basic plan and I love it. (had it for my mummy and my chaos demon)

Also be sure to use plenty of good, bright, clean light.

 

[yrret]

2 things

1. Mayne\'s plan kicks ass.

2. http://www.shutterbug.net/features/1003sb_tabletop/

 

[Chrispy]

I haven\'t ahd any problem with glare on my camera.. if anything I think the pics are to dark, but then I don\'t use the flash, I have one of them round flourescent lamps that lights evenly over a pretty good area.

 

[U4-Welcome]

I just yesterday found a setup that works perfectly for me : I just sticked low-quality sheets of paper (you know, that really thin paper that comes with cheap notebooks, for example) on my lamps, in front of the bulbs. They\'re 60W so it doesn\'t burn - I still keep an eye on it though - and the light is perfectly diffused.

 

[finn17]

A photo tent is cheaper and easier...

You can get exactly the same effect using a photo tent made out of translucent muslin. It\'s easy to make your own...and it folds away afterwards:flip:

The box is great if money and storage is not a problem.

 

[mickc22]

well...

....how do you make a phototent then?

....cor! leave us hanging around for hours,
(alright I\'m lying I\'ve only just had a look at this... lol lol )

 

[mickc22]

....ah, don\'t worry just followed the link to the website :duh:
guess I should have looked first b4 posting doh!

 

[finn17]

How to make a tent.....

Well you just make a tent out of translucent material...an old pillow case could suffice....

I have found some sites that give more detailed instructions though:

http://www.creativepro.com/story/feature/19002.html

http://bermangraphics.com/coolpix/jewelryphoto.htm

Or you could buy one, but that defeats the object somewhat:

http://shop.store.yahoo.com/greenbatteries-store/eztabtopligt.html

http://www.karlu.com/studio_cubelites.htm

http://www.plumeltd.com/cocoon.htm

 

[mickc22]

Or you could buy one, but that defeats the object somewhat:

...ooh, nah, had a look, it was ........HOW much? lol

 

[raginggaijin]

Originally posted by syndjinn
what i really want to know is .....where do all these pro painters get the light diffusser cubes from?you know the ones that eliminate the glare on your figs so you get perfect lighting.

From Electric Ocean\'s coverage of Lilliana Troy\'s site:

Store

EZ Cube Lite Tent

Joe Bob sez \"Check it out.\"

 

[syndjinn]

thank you all for your invaluable help and advice as well as the links.the reason that i started this was to find out this very same info .i have noticed that all my work that i\'ve posted on CMON has been scoring about average and mostly due to lighting problems in photography.it\'s gotten better but i think that a lighting cube or tent will increase my scores dramaticly.check out my gallery and tell me what you think...i feel that my work has been losing some of it\'s depth and tone due to poor lighting.pm me or leave a comment at the pics and tell me what you think.

thanks again

 

[Kingloser]

I made one this weekend out of a wal mart pantry storage unit, some old white cloth, super glue and some twist ties. It cost me 15 dollars to make includeing the two lamps and 75 watt reveal bulbs. Haven\'t had much of a chance to use it but I intend to tonight and I will let you know how it works out.

 

[finn17]

Well done!

Unless you have completely ucked up....and there isn\'t any real way you can...

I bet it will work a treat.

Ready-made ones are OK if you have money to burn, but they really are the simplest things imaginable...and lots of pros will improvise with Kleenex if they have to, so there is no real need to raid the bank.

I look forward to hearing how you got on.

 

[Kingloser]

Ok this is my function over form light box

http://www.pbase.com/image/31850516

This is a mini with my old lighting setup of four bulbs

http://www.pbase.com/image/31356034

With two bulbs in the box

http://www.pbase.com/image/31850479

I may be subjective but I think the lighting from the box is much better.

 

[finn17]

Looks good!

The lighting is definitely better, but what you need now is a drape to hide that middle line. Just a cloth attached to the top rear of the box works wonders.

 

[Cocanour]

A photographer that I work with uses shower curtains. I got mine from wal mart for $2 and it works great. I used the semi clear kind.