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How to Make a Light Box With Foam Board

Making a light box with foam board allows a photographer to have creative control over lighting. By controlling light, a photographer is able to control the shadows, color and reflections during a photo shoot. An image that is not well-lit will draw attention to the shadows and poorly lit color instead of the object. Using a light box will bring out the details and color of an object with less shadows.

Things You'll Need

5 white foam boards (22 inches by 28 inches)
Masking tape
Clip-on shop lamps
100-watt light bulbs
Craft knife

Instructions

- 1
  Create a box by laying three of the foam boards down on a flat surface with the shiny side face down. Flush the edges together and then secure by taping. Run the tape from the top to the bottom so that it there are no gaps.
- 2
  Flip the board over and place another foam board flushed against the edge of the middle board standing straight up. Lift up the left side board and tape along the edges. Repeat to the right side of the board. Turn the board on its side and tape the edge of the bottom.
- 3
  Turn the boards back over and place the last board on the top with the edges flush. Tape along the edges so there are no gaps.
- 4
  Go back over the tape edges to check for gaps and to reinforce with tape as needed.
- 5
  Clip the lights to the light box as desired. For example, place one on each side.
- 6
  Screw in the light bulbs and plug in. Experiment with the lighting by moving high or lower or using a craft knife cut notches in the side of the foam board to get the lights closer to the center of the box.

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