DIY Photographers: light diffuser tent?

**Free Range Lobster** · 12-20-2006, 04:26 PM

Anyone made one?

**mtbakerskier** · 12-20-2006, 04:38 PM

Originally Posted by likwid

Anyone made one?

Use either cheese cloth or some wax paper. Both of wich work prety well. Make the frame outo f hevy gauge coper wire.

**Junker** · 12-20-2006, 04:53 PM

I've made one. Used wax paper like mtbakerskier said. I got some info from:
http://www.fredmiranda.com/A18/

It works pretty well. My design gets in the way of my ultra wide angle lens, but works well for my others. I used the oven hood construction method made from mat board. Also used 2 layers of wax paper. A bit cumbersome...
Let me know if you have more questions.

**Schralper** · 12-20-2006, 09:55 PM

My white EZ-up tent w/ sidewalls and/or an overcast day

**Staggerwing** · 12-20-2006, 10:55 PM

Suck it up and go to a fabric store. White nylon fabric is where its at, and it won't cost too much.

Make the box out of foamcore (4 pieces with duct tape to hold together), rim the inside edge with "spikey" velcro, rim the outside edge of you nylon fabric with "fuzzy" velcro. Voila, your're done.

If you want to go all fancy, and want a more specular light, line he inside of the foamcore with aluminum foil.

The real key for "soft" lighting is the relative size of the light. In addition, you get modeling when you move the light off of the camera to subject axis. Entire books have been written about this subject, but, just make the softbox, and experiment using it off camera. You will soon find what works.

If you really want to play, stuff a daylight balanced, compact fluorescent (you can find these at Lowes), in your homemade softbox, nail a manual white balance, and shoot away. WYSIWYG.