| Author | Thread |
|
|
05/03/2005 09:10:58 PM · #1 |
Opening Disclaimer:
this thread is dedicated to the 'how to' build a soft box.
If you know how to spend time and money, if you know how to swing a hammer or use a professional staple gun, and if you have some knowledge of electricity, you can do this.
On the electricity...if you do not have a clue about electricity, DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS ON YOUR OWN! GET SOMEONE WHO HAS A CLUE!!
I AM NOT RESPONCIBLE FOR ANY FIRES, OR ELECTRICUTION OF ANY SORT. THIS IS PURLEY FOR THE CLUED IN. IF YOU DO ATTEMPT THIS PROJECT, IT IS ON YOUR OWN ACCOUNT AND NOT MINE.
There are plenty of books and web sites out there that can give a clue, so in other words, do research. Better yet, get some help.
First of all, questions are always answered to the best that I can give.
Second, Home Depot is the poor mans lighting source. They have things that we actually use at work.
Thirdly, if you have any tricks of the trade above and beyond any post, please contribute. I may, or may not expand on any those subjects because my focus is on building the great american softbox.
I am concentrating on a 2 foot by 2 foot (2x2) softbox. At some point I will expand on how to use multiple sources for larger boxes.
what you will need to start is ...
At home depot, or any other hardware store
1) some 1x2, around 24 feet to be safe. or two 1x2x12.
2) 12 feet of 12/3 sjow-a
3) either heavy duty wood staples and gun, or 1/4 inch nails, or 1/4 inch wood screws.
4)carpenters glue
5) 1 ceramic base (not plastic) standard socket
6) male 3 pronged hubble.
7) electical tape, or electrical insulation goo (sorry not sure of the brand name hence the term 'goo')
8) Black, or as dark as you can get tape. Flat Matte Black Paper tape works best.
And from your local art store...
1) 4x8 black/white foam core, or art board. Make sure about the black on one side, and white on the other.
and last...
Newspaper.
Or if you have money to spend order your favorite diffusion from your local Film and Motion Picture Rental business.
Stay tuned.
|
|
|
|
05/03/2005 09:17:32 PM · #2 |
| What no pix? I'd like to see. |
|
|
|
05/03/2005 09:19:06 PM · #3 |
Originally posted by justine:
What no pix? I'd like to see. |
Stay tuned.
|
|
|
|
05/03/2005 09:23:57 PM · #4 |
| I built one out of pvc pipe and fittings. The advantage over wood is it can be easily taken apart and put away. |
|
|
|
05/03/2005 09:26:15 PM · #5 |
[img]//www.dpchallenge.com/portfolio_edit.php?IMAGE_ID=173809[img]
this is an example of a Chimera soft box that is put over our lights
the soft box that I am showing how to build is a work horse of the industry. We usually hang these boxes over the sets in 4x8 diamaters with 2 to 4 Lowel 1k open face lights.
However, I have seen homemade softboxes used on the floor as well, so there are no rules on how to use them.
Message edited by justine - fixed. |
|
|
|
05/03/2005 09:28:41 PM · #6 |
soft light can be acheived in any form.
what has to be thought abot is...
the throw of the light, whats in between the light and the subject, and the spread of the light.
Message edited by justine - fixed. |
|
|
|
05/03/2005 09:33:08 PM · #7 |
PVC worked for me. I have a six foot soft box, the sides are made of double layered cloth (black on the outside and white on the inside). The front is ripstop nylon. Then there is the matter of the 500 W flash unit... hee hee hee...
Originally posted by TechnoShroom:
I built one out of pvc pipe and fittings. The advantage over wood is it can be easily taken apart and put away. |
|
|
|
|
05/03/2005 09:39:00 PM · #8 |
I guess pvc would be ok. But I wouldn't do it with any open face lamps, and I am not showing how to build a flash unit.
Message edited by author 2005-05-03 21:39:20.
|
|
|
|
05/03/2005 09:40:48 PM · #9 |
thanks for fixing my images justine.
I am a little challenged on that front.
|
|
|
|
05/04/2005 12:35:08 PM · #10 |
this is what the final 2x2 soft box should look like when finished.
stay tuned.
Message edited by author 2005-05-04 12:35:59.
|
|
|
|
05/04/2005 02:23:07 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by swinging_johnson_v1:
//www.dpchallenge.com/portfolio_edit.php?IMAGE_ID=174067 |
Instead of trying to use the url just use the image ID surrounded by thumb tags. In this case 174067. Using the image ID will show us the image instead of a red x.
 |
|
|
|
05/04/2005 02:53:51 PM · #12 |
Originally posted by TechnoShroom:
I built one out of pvc pipe and fittings. The advantage over wood is it can be easily taken apart and put away. |
i did the same. easier and lighter then wood and its collapsable.
|
|
|
|
05/04/2005 03:24:59 PM · #13 |
the only disadvantage with plastic is if you put too big a source, there is the issue of melting plastic, or burning wood.
and I think I would rather smell burning wood, than inhale chemicals from melting plastic.
there are ways around this as well.
Message edited by author 2005-05-04 15:25:51.
|
|
|
|
05/04/2005 03:31:23 PM · #14 |
True, I'm not sure what the melting point is on PVC tubing.
|
|
|
|
05/04/2005 05:02:26 PM · #15 |
Originally posted by louddog:
True, I'm not sure what the melting point is on PVC tubing. |
its probly pretty high depending on the gauge.
|
|
|
|
05/04/2005 05:08:20 PM · #16 |
this is a sample of a larger box but you get the idea.
when you get your lumber, or PVC, cut to lenth to make a 2x2x2 square box.
use carpenters glue on the wood first, then screw, or nail, or staple together.
Notice that the corners should be braced for extra stability.
Message edited by author 2005-05-04 17:10:22.
|
|
|
|
05/04/2005 05:13:20 PM · #17 |
|
|
|
05/04/2005 05:13:35 PM · #18 |
Its funny. I checked out all the necessary materials to build at least 'one' softbox from this post, and for 35$ more, i buy a brand new fotopro soft box of equal size... With my schedule, the time it takes to make this project a reality is just not possible. All the time spent doing this is better 'spent' purchasing the item.
But some very good insights on the project tho, thanks a lot for sharing this mate!
[/url] |
|
|
|
05/04/2005 05:17:10 PM · #19 |
On the top of the box, make sure to assemble a spine.
this does three things.
it helps stableize the box.
it gives a place to install your ceramic receptacle.
it adds a place to install hanging points for stands, or the ceiling.
|
|
|
|
05/04/2005 05:21:51 PM · #20 |
Originally posted by RedOak:
Its funny. I checked out all the necessary materials to build at least 'one' softbox from this post, and for 35$ more, i buy a brand new fotopro soft box of equal size... With my schedule, the time it takes to make this project a reality is just not possible. All the time spent doing this is better 'spent' purchasing the item.
But some very good insights on the project tho, thanks a lot for sharing this mate!
[/url] |
the differance is that you can swap out what ever source you want and not be stuck with just a quartz halogen globe,I.E. BBA,,BCA,EBV,ECT,EBW,ECA Photo Floods, or typical household as well. Plus, as we do at work, this can be as big as you want. Plus, you can add differant types of diffusion.
I never said this was perfect, but it does have its advantages.
Message edited by author 2005-05-04 19:45:53.
|
|
Home -
Challenges -
Community -
League -
Photos -
Cameras -
Lenses -
Learn -
Help -
Terms of Use -
Privacy -
Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2025 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 09/16/2025 11:27:34 AM EDT.
