LED Lightbox...Thoughts?

[paplinker]

I stopped in at a photo shop the other day and they had a light box with LED lights sewn right into the cloth.

Has anyone tried these? Are they any good for gun pictures?
I believe they might even have a dimmer on them.

I find that finding room to set up standing lights in three directions at the right distance a bit of a pain and it takes up a lot of room when not using them. Thinking this might get me back into taking pictures more often.

 

[Fishinfool]

A portable light box is excellent for small item / handgun photography. I have a home made version using older halogen lighting. They work well by softening / eliminating shadows, and by providing even, glare free lighting.

One thing to remember is that the lighting is defused, and usually not very strong, as compared to sunlight, requiring longer shutter speeds. If you want your pictures sharp, then a camera support / tripod is mandatory.

These days if I want a good quality firearm picture, I usually just use my rear deck before about noon, when the sunlight is defused, keeping shadows to a minimum, and providing enough light to not have to use a tripod.

Larry

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Often I photo birds better than Guns.
Then again- Pull some Lead Reed!
What’s wrong with you?

 

[LVSteve]

Often I photo birds better than Guns.
Then again- Pull some Lead Reed!
What’s wrong with you?

Seems familiar.

 

[Rule3]

How much does it cost?

 

[Harrison]

Try using natural light, and if necessary raising your ISO. Modern digital cameras take good photos at scary high ISO settings

 

[paplinker]

Try using natural light, and if necessary raising your ISO. Modern digital cameras take good photos at scary high ISO settings

I mostly work during the day except weekends. Also I try to be pretty discreet about my guns. Outside would be nice but I am not into all the kids and a kooky neighbor knowing what I am into.

Most of the time I have off is a rainy day. That's when I spend hours of time for pictures when I can.

 

[DWalt]

My wife has several larger LED sewing lights (from Joanne's Fabric Shop). I usually take gun (and other small object) pictures on one of my kitchen counters using those lights for illumination. Normally I take the pictures freehand, but I do have a heavy duty copy stand I sometimes use to copy documents, pictures, etc., and I normally use manual focus with it. I adjust color balance, brightness, and contrast with Photoshop. I have no particular need for a light box. I once had one but felt it didn't really help me much so I gave it away. For larger objects I use an area in my back yard that provides good open shade shadowless lighting most of the day. I also shoot freehand normally outdoors but sometimes I use a tripod. With today's digital cameras you can get by very well without camera support, especially if you have lenses with VR. For a background, use whatever you can find. Cloth, construction paper, cardboard, whatever you can find that is large enough and has a contrasting color.