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How to Make a Shooting Tent

Photography can be a tricky art, and getting the right lighting is sometimes the most difficult part of the process. Shooting small objects up close can be especially difficult. That's when a shooting tent is an invaluable tool. Shooting tents, or light tents, are usually just small boxes or box-shaped tents with white sides and some type of outside light source shining into them. The light reflects off of the white interior, better illuminating the object to be photographed. Shooting tents are not difficult to make from household materials, and they can greatly improve the quality of your photos.

Things You'll Need

Medium or large cardboard box
Ruler
Marker or pen
Scissors
Heavy, white paper
White fabric
Masking tape
Light source

Instructions

- 1
  Remove the top of the cardboard box and, using a ruler and a writing utensil, mark off a 2-inch border around each side of the box.
- 2
  Cut out the middle of each side of the box, leaving 2 inches of cardboard all the way around each of the side holes. Leave the bottom of the box intact.
- 3
  Cut the heavy white paper to the same width as the box, leaving it much longer than the box. Insert the paper into the box, allowing it to curve from the front of the bottom to the top of the back. This will serve as the background for your shooting tent. Trim off the excess paper at the top.
- 4
  Trim pieces of white fabric large enough to cover each of the holes in the sides of the box, and cut one piece large enough to drape over the top of the box.
- 5
  Tape a piece of white fabric across the hole in each side of the box and tape another across the top. Leave the front of the box open so that you can photograph items inside of the box.
- 6
  Light the box from the top, using a hanging overhead light or a large desk lamp with an adjustable arm.

Photography