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How to Make a Lightbox out of an Old Laptop

You can use the screen of your old laptop to create a lightbox that will allow you to take pictures that are bright and well-lit. Photographers use lightboxes to light objects from every direction so that there or no unsightly shadows. Often when photographing a product for sale online, a lightbox will be a boon to the online seller. The key principles of a lightbox are diffuse light that is bright and white.

Things You'll Need

Bright white paper
Cardboard
Scissors
Tape

Instructions

- 1
  Set your old laptop so the screen is open to a 90 degree angle. Measure and cut two carboard pieces that are the height of the screen and the depth of the keyboard section. Cut another piece of cardboard that fits over the keyboard section.
- 2
  Tape white paper to the three pieces of cardboard.
- 3
  Cut a piece of white paper so that it is as wide as the screen of the laptop and as long as the laptop screen and keyboard opened up horizontally. Tape just the top of this paper to the top of the laptop screen so the paper can be lifted out of the way. Don't crease the paper.
- 4
  Tape the two pieces of cardboard that are the same height as the screen to the left and right sides of the screen. Put the tape on the back so only white paper shows from the front of the laptop.
- 5
  Power on the laptop and open up a word processing program to a blank, white screen. Maximize the window so the white area fills the whole screen. Place the keyboard sized cardboard over the laptops keyboard and flip the long piece of paper over the screen. Position the side pieces of cardboard so they are touching the sides of the keyboard.

Photography