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How to Build a White Box

In commercial product photography, the item is placed in a light tent, also referred to as a white box, to eliminate shadows and increase detail in the resulting photo. The stark white background also allows the item to be easily manipulated in digital post-processing. Though white boxes are available at any major photographic retailer, you can build your own using simple household materials. After assembling your homemade white box, you can recreate professional product photography in the comfort of your own home studio.

Things You'll Need

Masking tape
Ruler
Square box
Utility knife
Scissors
White construction paper
Glue stick
White fabric

Instructions

- 1
  Seal the top and bottom flaps of the box with masking tape. Turn the box so one of the sides faces up. Ideally, the box should be at least 1 foot tall by 1 foot wide.
- 2
  Measure 2 inches in from the side edge, and mark with a pen. Repeat for the three remaining edges. Connect the dots with straight lines to form the outline of a small inner box.
- 3
  Repeat step 2 for the sides of the box, and for the sealed top. Do not make any marks on the bottom of the box.
- 4
  Cut out the box outlines on all four sides, as well as the top, using a utility knife. Once finished, the box should have a total of five windows: four in the sides and one on the top.
- 5
  Line the insides of the box with strips of white construction paper. Also, line the bottom of the box with a larger piece of construction paper. Depending on the size of your box, the size of the paper strips varies.
- 6
  Cut a piece of white construction paper with a width equal to the longest side of the box. The length should be at least 6 inches longer than the height of the box. Tape the construction paper to the top of the box's longest side. Let it fall inside the box so it curves slightly.
- 7
  Cover the three outer windows with squares of white fabric, leaving the window that faces the curve of the paper uncovered. Also, cover the top of the box with fabric.
- 8
  Light the box from above using a desk lamp, studio light or other light source. Place your item on top of the white construction where it begins to curve inside the box. Compose your shot by aiming the camera through the open window which faces the item.

Photography