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How to Make a Softbox for Photography

Softboxes are key elements when photographing product shots and beauty shots. A softbox is a great way to diffuse key light sources in your photo shoot. Though professional light boxes can be more costly than the average person might like, making a softbox for photography at home is quite an easy task. Many of the items required to make a softbox can be found around your home or purchased at your local general store.

Things You'll Need

Cardboard box
Old T-shirt
Box cutters
Electrical tape
Light source

Instructions

- 1
  Cut the flaps off the top of the box so that there are only five sides to the box and one open face. Carve a hole out of any side of the box for inserting your light source.
- 2
  Lay your T-shirt over the opening of the box. Trace the opening of the box onto your shirt.
- 3
  Cut about an inch outside of the outline you just traced, allowing a little extra room for taping the shirt to the box.
- 4
  Stretch the T-shirt piece across the opening of the box and tape each side down to the cardboard. The amount of tape required will vary depending on the size of the box and the weight of the T-shirt.
- 5
  Insert your light source into the box through the hole you cut earlier and flip on the switch.

Photography