Homemade Photo Booth

[Kev]

Here's a little project I whipped up today...it's a photo booth. I saw a web page with directions on how to build it. I have yet to get the material to make the panels for the top and sides, but they will be made with a white material. The lights are incandescent clip on lights, so I will adjust the yellowish cast, with the white balance option in my photo editing program. Another alternative might be halogen lights, though care would have to be taken with them as they get very hot. 

I built it because at times it's very hard to get good pics without a lot of reflections, and this was made big enough to display several pieces at one time if needed. It was constructed with 3/4 irrigation piping and joints. It has a piece going across the top so stained glass pieces can be hing off of it to photograph. I have not glued it together so I can take it apart for storage. The whole thing was constructed with 5 10ft lengths and cost about $16.00.

Here is a pic take in it with a white sheet just draped over and around it. Very little reflection. I think I'm going to like this!

[Alan]

Another light alternative would be using L.E.D. lights - they come in all of the colors necessary for photography - also various intensities.

[Kev]

That's a thought....do they come bright enough?

[Glassic]

Good idea!
If you want a firm fabric for the background, lightly starch the sheet, keep the starched side toward the light source, tho' a shiny finish might enhance a glass panel.
A good firm and washable fabric that irons up well is Rain no Stain curtain lining.
Heavy non-woven interfacing is OK, if you want a matte finish.
Velvet and velveteen is good too. A photographer I used to sell to would buy semi-sheer fabrics and staple them to frames for backgrounds in his portrait cubical.
 

[Kev]

Thanks for the info Yvonne...just what I needed!

The nice thing about this is that because it is so lightweight, I can take it outside on a  sunny day and allow the natural light to light the booth. I can also hang colored fabric from the back and across the bottom to change the background color.

[Alan]

That's a thought....do they come bright enough?

More than enough info here: http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/store/index.cgi?action=DispPage&Page2Disp=%2Fedison_spot.html

[Kev]

I doubt they would be bright enough. I tried it with 60w bulbs but I think I will try 100w bulbs as it is a pretty good sized area to illuminate.

[Wayne]

You are playing in the photo cube area.  I bought a small one (32" sides) about 5 years ago.  They are made from high quality white nylon which are made on frames like the sunscreens in autos and fold up that way.  They can be very effective when you get the set which includes two lights on tripods. 

Many of the jewelry and glass works for stores are photographed using them.  The prices begin around $30 and go up. 

Most use straight halogen bulbs in the two lights.  They usually come with them.  Others use CFL color corrected bulbs.  Also, the use of a white balance filter would make the light source work in easier.

And example of some cubes (bhphoto calls them sheds)...
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/Tent-Dome-Kits/ci/11099/N/4294550800

[Kev]

Here is a cool idea...even cheaper!

http://www.digital-photography-school.com/how-to-make-a-inexpensive-light-tent

[Kev]

I looked at those Wayne and liked them, but wanted something bigger so I could actually hang panels in it to photograph, an also display multiple pieces at different levels for a photograph.

[Wayne]

These two lights each contain 4 100watt CFL color corrected bulbs.  They are used more for mosaics than shades.   They are shielded to eliminate some of the glare but seldom are aimed directly at the object.

[Kev]

Wow...they look huge...lol

[Wayne]

Wow...they look huge...lol

I had to go measure the heads.  They are 15 1/2" in diameter so they are not really big.  But it is important to have two.  I paid $130 for both and they are very cheap.  Good average ones cost $100 each and are really better and worth it.

[Kev]

I don't take enough pictures to justify that cost at the present time, but good to know for future reference...Thanks!

[Amber]

I use a photocube and 90% of the time I don't use any light other then from the window, I'll put the cube om my kitchen table which is even with the window and it does a pretty decent job most of the time. When I do use lights I use some lamp thingies from Ebay that were cheap and I bought the really good light bulbs from home depot, the natural light ones, and it seems to work well enough for me :).

[nansea121]

Great ideas!

[Wayne]

I own this photo cube but don't use it because most of the things I make are too large for it.
I think the dimensions are 32" cubed.  The advantage of this type of apparatus is the storage of it when not in use.  The packed piece is 12" diameter.

[PiscesGlass]

Great thread!  Thanks for the info! 

De

[Malinda]

I want to make one ..... this weekend...... :)

[fay]

Happy to get all this information.  It comes at a good time, just when I have been thinking of building one.