Saturday, June 28, 2008

For Etsians - How to get perfect pictures every time

Every Etsian knows how important it is to have great pictures of your products on your site. For a long time we struggled with getting the perfect picture. We waited until it was sunny out, we waited until it was cloudy out, we took pictures on the windowsill, we tried everything. We finally decided it was best to take pictures outside in indirect sunlight on the sidewalk. They look pretty good. But what if you want to list something and it's raining? What if you want to list a new product at night? I recently found a way to get perfect pictures every time!! I'm using it for all the pictures in our new shop (http://www.artbloc.etsy.com/). And now you can do it too!

This is my tutorial on how to make yourself a very easy and cheap, but very effective light box.

Materials:

  • cardboard box. Mine is 15 1/2" by 10 1/2"
  • utility knife
  • tracing paper
  • scissors
  • tape (I used duct tape)
  • work light and bulb (I use a 100 watt Reveal bulb)
  • craft foam or colored paper (I used brown craft foam. You could use white, or black or any color you want)

Directions:

Use a utility knife to cut out three sides of your box leaving about one inch of material on the sides to make three windows....like this:



Cut your tracing paper to the size of the side of your box and attach it with tape to cover the windows....like this:



Place a piece of craft foam or paper in the box so that one side is resting on the back of the box and one side is resting on the floor.

Shine your light into the box. You might want to experiment with different light angles before you get it just right. If you are able, you should set the white balance on you camera to tungsten.


And here is the final product.
You can see more of my pictures on our etsy at http://www.artbloc.etsy.com/


Let me know if you try this and if it was helpful to you!

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Very informative! I've been wanting to make one myself but didn't know how. Thanks!

Ashlee said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Ashlee said...

Great job! I love the pictures. Thanks for posting the tutorial.

Unknown said...

Very lovely pictures!! Thanks for the helpful blog!!! I'm going to have to "bookmark" this for future reference!!!

Robin Lynne said...

I might have to try this! I tend to save any box I get.. so I probably have one lyin' aroudn just -asking- to be turned into a lightbox.

Great post :D

-Robin Lynne
www.robinlynne.org

Experience Designs said...

Wow!! I'm so happy that you posted this, and as soon as I get some materials I want to try it. <3

Btw, I'm going to link you on my blog. Love this blog!

http://www.experiencedesigns.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Very informative! Thanks!
Asianexpressions

Anonymous said...

that is totally awesome and looks really easy to do. thanks for posting

Bec said...

I have just discovered you through Vision Handbags' blog, and I've got to say - this is one of the best (and most useful) tutorials I have come across in a long time. Thanks so much, glad to have found you!!!!!