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How to Make a Tent for Shooting Images

A light tent is like small miniature studio where lights are shone through translucent fabric to create an even light inside the tent. These structures can range in size from the type that will fit on a table top to photography jewelry to larger light tents that small household appliances can be photographed in. You can buy these light tents at most photography retailers or you can easily make one at home using PVC piping and white fabric shower curtains.

Things You'll Need

12 - two foot lengths of half inch PVC piping
8 - half inch "Y" corner connectors
1 - white fabric shower curtain
3- desk lamps

Instructions

- 1
  Build a cube frame using the lengths of PVC piping and the "Y" shaped corner connectors. Once all the lengths have been inserted and the cube frame has been constructed you choose to glue the connections making the frame a permanent structure or leave them unglued that will allow the frame to be disassembled and transported if needed.
- 2
  Cut the fabric shower curtain into squares to match the open spaces on the cube, cut the curtain so that they are 1/2 inch larger on all sides. The extra fabric will be used to attach the fabric to the frame.
- 3
  Cut lengths of duct tape to match the length of each side of the fabric. Place the length of tape on the fabric leaving half of the tape exposed so it can be applied to the frame. Position and tape the fabric to the cube frame. Keep the fabric as taught as possible. This will eliminate any potential shadows inside the light box created by folds in the fabric. Leave one side uncovered. This will be the front of the tent where you will shoot through.
- 4
  Position three desk lamps: one on each side and one over the top of the cube. Angle the lamp heads so they are shining towards the cube. Turn them on, place your item inside the tent and you are ready to start shooting.

Photography