Fresia on lightbox

Photographers Comments
I've been experimenting with indoor flower shots over the last year. This method seems good. I use a lightbox (see image below)I made it myself, basically an open wood frame with three tube lights at the bottom. On top is a loose opaque white plastic sheet. The box measures 18inches square, and it probably couldnt be any smaller. If you can get hold of an old X-ray viewer (they use computers now) that will work great. The white circle is 4 pieces of A4 thin card taped together on the short sides. This makes a long strip about 8 inces high, which you wrap arond into a circle and place on the plastic top. Place your flower inside. Using a macro lens and a ring-flash (ordinary flash will do) shoot the flower. Trick is to get the light from the flash just right to compensate for the light coming up through the plastic. Because light is upwards as well as down from the flash, it can highlight the nice details in petals and leaves.
Of course, you can shoot anything, not just flowers, but I find flowers best due to their opaqueness. Can anyone suggest any improvements?

Attached Images

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great looking shot and thanks for the insight into how you got it. nice job

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all the best, Lisa


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Hi Rob, excellent piece of kit - I will see what I can find kicking about in the garage to make one with.

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Nikon User
Beacon Images - last updated 29th June

Sorry, I should have said before: the cost was about £40, mostly for the strip lights. Glad you like it, and you Lisa.

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Sensible by name, sensible by nature

http://www.carregwenimages.com

You will be surprised what people chuck away, I'm sure that I will find some small strip lights down at the recycling center where you can give them a couple of quid for them.

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Nikon User
Beacon Images - last updated 29th June

This turned out real good ... and the LightBox design looks superior than Mine made from a Paint Bucket

Absolutely beautiful shot!

Great idea for the lightbox too - perfect project for a rainy day

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It looks pretty awesome to me! ...I love the soft shades of ivory and green.

Liza, Barry, Brian, Paul, Donna, Thanks for the comments. If any of you 'try this at home' let me know if you can improve on the method. I thought of it because most flower shots are top lit (unless in studio) and you often get burnt out details, especially with whites or yellows. With this method you can hopefully balance the light more to pick up some of the beautiful fine detail in flowers and leaves.

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Sensible by name, sensible by nature

http://www.carregwenimages.com

I actually use a slightly different method at the moment. I have a light tent (reasonably cheap on eBay or in Maplin Electronics) which is sat in front of a south facing window (although i do use a large lightbox whenever the natural light isn't enough). The tent i have is 36"x36" so its big enough to use for all sorts of subjects - various sizes are available though.

Yes, its a bit more expensive to set up than yours, but for those who don't want to build something, its always an alternative.

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