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DPChallenge Forums >> Tips, Tricks, and Q&A >> Light Tent
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11/03/2005 09:12:21 AM · #1
What is the advantage of using a light tent? I have heard a couple of people use them but I am not sure how to use it properly. From what I have seen online, it seems you can build them yourself fairly easily.
11/03/2005 09:16:57 AM · #2
an advantage is if you are shooting a very relective surface and need a nice even reflection. It creates a very soft light from all angles.
11/03/2005 10:10:31 AM · #3
I built one about 2 weeks ago just to see if I could. Cost me $26 plus background (fabric I had lying around). What I have found is that I control the light completely. Since I typically shoot in natural light it is a novel experience. I have learned more about light in the past two weeks than in the entire year previous. Or at least more about controlling light. Here are a few images I have made with it that I believe would not have been possible without it, at least for me:



I used a plan found on the web using PVC pipe with one change - I did not glue it so I can change the sizes. This makes it less sturdy but adaptable enough for me to use it for portraits if necessary (can't afford soft boxes yet).

And I use 3 home depot shop lights ($8 each) for lights.
11/03/2005 10:33:06 AM · #4
Where did you find the plan for the light tent? Which website?
11/03/2005 10:40:34 AM · #5
Originally posted by notorious77:

Where did you find the plan for the light tent? Which website?


i found this

//home.comcast.net/~w.gunnell/tent.htm
11/03/2005 10:47:07 AM · #6
light tent
more light tents
Theres one at PBase.com that I think I used but for some reason I can't get into their website right now...

Finally found the thread... light tent thread...

Message edited by author 2005-11-03 10:49:30.
11/03/2005 11:05:13 AM · #7
Here are some PVC tubing plans - Haven't tried it myself yet.

//www.software-cinema.com/page/tinkertubes

"Light weight modular diffusion lighting systems you can build yourself from everyday materials. This book shows how to build an Adjustable Light Box and a variety of Light Panels and Light Houses.

Tinker Tubes book in Acrobat PDF format (3.76 MB)"
11/03/2005 11:11:56 AM · #8
In more indepth search off of what dahkota posted from the comcast link, this fabric seems ideal for large purposes. My wife has paid $8.50/yard for a lot less usefull stuff. 122inches is awesome, two yard of that and some pvc with six home depot work lights behind them... drool.


11/03/2005 11:21:28 AM · #9
Funny ... this thred was came up today... I just did a commercial shoot of a series of bobbleheads (yes bobbleheads) using the same setup. The client was very pleased with the results...

Instead of using tungston lamps ... I used 2 softboxes with strobes on either side of the tent and a silver reflector at the front. It worked great!

Also vellum works great as a defuser panel !

Message edited by author 2005-11-03 11:22:41.
11/03/2005 03:58:42 PM · #10
So is there an advantage to building one of these versus putting a "softbox" type cloth on the lights themselves?
11/03/2005 04:37:47 PM · #11
Originally posted by qbicle:

So is there an advantage to building one of these versus putting a "softbox" type cloth on the lights themselves?


For me at least, the light box gets rid of the problem of ambient light in the room I am using it in.
11/03/2005 05:12:01 PM · #12
Originally posted by dahkota:

Originally posted by qbicle:

So is there an advantage to building one of these versus putting a "softbox" type cloth on the lights themselves?


For me at least, the light box gets rid of the problem of ambient light in the room I am using it in.


Ahh...that makes alot of sense. Thanks!
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