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How to Build Softboxes for High Key Lighting

Taking high-key photographs with the use of a softbox creates high-contrast pictures with bright whites and detailed shadows. Taking these photographs often requires the use of at least three studio lights. Two lights will illuminate a white seamless background as brightly as possible. The third light is the high-key light and it will be placed on your subject to illuminate her as brightly as possible. The addition of the softbox to the high-key light refracts the light, which gives it a softened appearance on the subject's skin. Making a softbox for your high-key light is a quick and easy project that can be completed in under an hour.

Things You'll Need

Lampshade
White t-shirt
10 1 x 1-inch Velcro squares, adhesive backed
Stapler
A-clamp
Aluminum foil
Spray Adhesive
Flat black spray paint

Instructions

- 1
  Remove the metal spider from the top center of the lampshade using a pair of pliers. Spray the inside of the lampshade with a thin coating of spray adhesive. Line the inside with a single layer of aluminum foil before the spray adhesive dries. Cover the entire inside of the lamp shade from the top opening to the bottom opening.
- 2
  Spray paint the exterior of the lampshade with flat black spray paint to give it a professional look and block out any light that may seep out of the inside of the lampshade. Allow to dry completely.
- 3
  Cut the white shirt into two pieces down the side seams, giving you the front and back panel of the shirt. Lay one of the panels onto a flat work surface. Set the lampshade's largest opening on top of the shirt panel. Trace a line around the perimeter of the lamp shade onto the shirt, adding an additional one inch to the perimeter. Cut out the circle from the shirt along the line.
- 4
  Remove the protective paper backing from the Velcro squares to reveal the adhesive back. Stick the hook sides of the Velcro squares to the lampshade in an evenly spaced sequence very close to the edge on the largest opening. Stick the loop sides of the Velcro squares around the outer one-inch perimeter of the cut pieces of shirt. Staple each individual Velcro square once for added security.
- 5
  Attach the shirt to the lampshade by aligning the Velcro squares and pushing them together.
- 6
  Attach the lampshade to your high-key studio light using an A-Clamp. Position the high-key light inside of the lampshade by inserting it into the small opening of the lampshade. Clamp the small rim of the lamp shade directly onto the high-key light or the light stand. The position will vary depending on the type of high-key light you use. Adjust the clamp accordingly but make sure the head of the high-key light is entirely inside of the lamp shade.

Photography