Tags: diy | gift bag | lightbox | tutorial. paper crafts

Many of my readers have craft blogs and want to have their products displayed as professionally as possible. This tutorial will show you how to photograph objects using macro mode with an ordinary digital camera and a light tent made out of a paper box. Yep you read that right! A paper box. You will be amazed at the quality of your photos as you follow these very simple steps.

Supplies needed:

1. A large paper box.
2. White tissue paper. (The same stuff you use to wrap Christmas gifts)
3. Duct tape or some other type of strong tape.
4. White poster board.
5. Black poster bloard.
6. Camera tripod. (Very nice to use, but not totally necessary.)
7. 2 or 3 cheap work lights. I bought mine at Menard's for $9 dollars apiece.
8. A clamp on work light. ( Again , it is nice to have the third light but once again, it is not totally necessary.)
   
   
   

Instructions:

Get a paper box that is medium sized.

1. Cut out a square on the left and right sides of the box, as in the example picture below.
   
   



2. Cover the holes with tissue paper and secure with tape.
   
   
3. Cut out a piece of poster board and place it into the box just like in the demo photo.Make sure that your poster is smooth. This will give your photo a wonderful background with no shadows or seams.
   
   



4. Now the fun starts! Place a work light to the left and right of your cheap um er thrifty new light tent. Put the object you want to photograph on the posterboard background. If you have an object that is very light in color use the black background to provide nice contrast, otherwise use the white poster board background.
   
   
5. *This next step is very important.* One of the secrets to getting a good photograph is to use a tripod stand for your camera. A picture will come out blurry and out of focus most of the time from an unsteady hand holding the camera. So always use a tripod when taking photos of objects, or at least place your camera on something sturdy (like a stack of hardcover books etc.) in front of your light box.
   
   
6. *This step is also very important.*  If your camera has a white balance feature learn to use it. This helps remover the yellow tone from the work lights. The example photo above has a yellowish cast to it. I adjusted the white balance in the final photo below and you can see the difference. The light is a clearer white color, that looks professional.
   
   
7. Here is an example of one of my paper craft gift bags that I made.I focused on the gift bag in macro mode and made sure that none of the paper box  showed in the background. Doesn't the photo taken with the light box look a lot better?
   
   
8. If you are into paper crafts and want to have the template and instructions to make the gift bag, visit my other site www.easypapercrafts.com. I have many projects and templates available for free!