Light Tents

When a photographer needs to take a clear photo of small objects, like jewelry or bottles, they set up a light tent. A photography light tent allows light to enter through fabric creating soft, yet sharp, photos without the problem of overexposure. Light tents eliminate heavy shadows and reflections while producing a photo close to the items original shade and hue.

The most common type of light tent is a softbox light tent. Many measure a little less than three feet in all directions with a cube design. Photographers find them in white or silver color. These tents include a front flap that is either zippered, Velcro, or tied on with a cut out just big enough for the camera lens.

To use a photograph light tent, set it up according to the included instructions. Place two to three lights around the outside of the tent making sure each is aimed at an equal direction. The best way is to have two lights sitting at an angle from the back to the sides with the third adjusted above the light tent aiming down through the top.

Some professional light tents are sold with three or more backgrounds to insert behind the object for different effects. A PLC TS1080 light tent kit includes three light heads with ceramic sockets, three fifteen foot power cords, three removable fabric diffusers, nine flicker free fluorescent 5000K daylight color temperature bulbs (which emit a cooler light than regular bulbs), and the choice of a twenty eight, twenty, or eighteen inch light tent with four fabric backgrounds in white, black, blue and grey along with many other items.

While a price of around thirty dollars for a single fourteen inch photography light tent might not seem too expensive, many amateur and professional photographers opt to build a light tent on their own. Find online instructions by typing "build a light tent" or "make your own photography light box" in any online search engine.

Pbase.com lists step by step instructions on how to build a light box by using PVC pipes and equipment to make the light tent frame, what types of lights that were used, and a twin bed sheet as the box's fabric lining. The instructor also shows finished photos taken inside his new light box using a blue fabric backdrop.

A simpler method uses a white tote tub turned on its side with a white fabric front flap. Two tabletop lamps, one on each side, provides the lighting.