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How To Make A Softbox For Photography

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Disclosure: I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™ and GE Lighting #CBias #SocialFabric

steps for making softbox collage
One of the biggest photography challenges is having enough light for great pictures. In the idea situation, natural light can be used but in reality there are many times when good natural light isn’t available. Back in November, I told you about a family project that involved making a softbox for photography. We made the softbox, tested a couple different GE Energy Efficient bulbs and 3 digital cameras to see which bulb got the best results.
Supplies for Two Softboxes:
5 pieces of white foam core
2 utility lights
2 yards sheer white fabric
Packing Tape
4 pack 100w GE Halogen Bulbs
6 pack 100w GE CFL Bulbs
Aluminum Foil
12 Binder Clips
Utility knife
Yard Stick
Pencil
Scissors
1. Cut 2 trapezoid shapes from a piece of foam core that measure 30 inches on the long side, 7 inches on the short side and 15 inches on the diagonals. Use the yard stick measure, the pencil to draw the lines and the utility knife to cut the foam core.
2. Cut 2 rectangles from a piece of foam core that measure 15 inches by 14 inches.
3. Cut a rectangle from another piece of foam core that measures 14 inches by 7 inches. Trace the plastic light socket from the utility light onto the center of the rectangle and cut out the circle.
4. Cover all 5 pieces with aluminum foil using a spray adhesive to hold the pieces in place.
5. Assemble the softbox using packing tape to hold it together.
6. Insert the plastic light socket into the hole on the back of the lightbox and add a lighbulb.
7. Cut the sheer white fabric in half and cover the softbox opening with 1 yard of the fabric folded in half. Hold the fabric in place with binder clips.
8. Repeat the process for the second softbox.
two softboxes with lights on

I set the 2 softboxes up on either side of a piece of worn wood and put a ball in the center.

wicker ball

I loved the results so I had the kids take their photos.

The first set of photos was taken with the GE Energy Efficient Soft White Halogen bulbs. They only use 72w but replace a 100w incandescent bulb. The brightness is 1490 lumens and the light appearance is 2950K.

The second set of photos was taken with GE Energy Smart Compact Florescent bulbs. These bulbs use 26w but replace a 100w incandescent bulb. The brightness is 1750 lumens and the light appearance is 2700K.

They took a photo with box softboxes on and another with box softboxes off. The flash was off and the camera settings were left alone. The pictures below are SOOC meaning Straight Out Of Camera (no editing) except for cropping when necessary.

bowls of M&Ms
bowls of M&Ms

Zack used the Panasonic Lumix to take the four photos above.

two bowls of M&M with different lighting
two bowls of M&M with different lighting

Vanessa took these four photos using Canon PowerShot SX130 IS.

two bowls of M&M with different lighting
two bowls of M&M with different lighting

Christine used the Nikon D200 to take these four photos.

We figured out that both types of bulbs work great in the softboxes! The GE CFL bulbs are a little brighter and a little warmer than the GE Halogen bulbs. We will be able to use both kinds in the softboxes since there isn’t that big of a difference.

As expected, the Nikon D200 got the best results. The Canon PowerShot was second best and if we would’ve spent more time using the manual settings on the camera the results would’ve been better. Zack has a hard time getting clear pictures with the Panasonic Lumix but he was taking his pictures later in the day so there was less natural light.

When taking pictures for my blog posts, I will be using the Nikon D200 and I will adjust my white balance depending on which light bulbs I am using in the softboxes.

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Comments

  1. Amy says

    Thanks for the info! I need something like this to take pics of my etsy products on cloudy days. I hate having to wait and wait for a sunny day that I am home and have time to take pictures.

    Reply

  4. Mimi Baker says

    You did such a great job with this Tonia! I hate how my indoor photos are always so dark! I’m not a big DIYer, but I plan on trying this asap! I also love your 3 examples!

    Reply

  9. Amy Fulcher says

    OK, I still have my pvc square in the closet, even have my fabric. Why haven’t I done my light box post yet? 🙂 I’ll get right on it now that I’m inspired!

    Reply

    • Tonia L says

      I’m sure you haven’t gotten to it because you are so busy! I’m not sure how you keep up your blog, campaign leader work and work a full time job as well!!!

      Reply

  10. Laurie atSimplyCreatingHome says

    Thanks so much for the tutorial! We have a lot of gray days, too, here in the Pacific Northwest, so I definitely need extra lighting to be able to photograph anything well. I recently bought a Canon Speedlite 430 EX and it has helped me so much because I can direct my flash and bounce it off walls, etc, to add the lighting I need. I love the lighting effects you got with your softbox, though, and it would be so helpful to have, too! I pinned this to my photography board. Thanks!

    Reply

  13. Di from Life is Di-licious says

    Wow Tonia. I love how you involved your whole family in making and testing them out. I’ve been keen to get a softbox for some time now but have been put off my the price. Here in Australia I don’t have the same problems with lack of light but in summertime its too harsh.

    Reply

  14. thepaintedapron.com says

    Thank you so much Tonia, I want to design a space for photographing things with great light and controlled background and this tutorial will certainly help. I am a newbie photographer, so much to learn!
    Jenna

    Reply

    • Tonia L says

      I would like to set up an area in my basement that is always ready for taking pictures! It is one of those long term goals of mine but for now the dining room table will work.

      Reply

  16. Glenda says

    Tonia, this is fabulous! Thank you! Thank you! It is so gray and overcast here in the winters and this is a simple project that will help me make a vast improvement in my photos. Thanks so much for the detailed instructions!

    Reply

    • Tonia L says

      Thanks Michelle! I know what you mean! My husband’s brother just moved back to Minnesota from Washington state due to the lack of sunny days!

      Reply

  24. Judy Bagwell says

    I normally try to use outdoor light for my blog pics, but lately it has been raining and overcast where I live, so that just isn’t happening. I began been searching for a way to take good indoor shots and saw your post. Thank you so much for sharing this!! I am making my shopping list right now. 🙂

    Reply

    • Tonia L says

      I know what you mean Judy. Here in Minnesota it is too cold to head outside to take pictures and now that we have less hours of daylight it is even more challenging! Best of luck making your softboxes!

      Reply

  25. Nana says

    This is so amazing, and information I can really use. I love that you had your kids involved in this project, I am sure there are some future photographers there. Fabulous job!!!

    Reply

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