Materials:

• 3 – 10′ sections of 1/2″ PVC pipe cut as follows (12 – 2′ sections, 8 – 2″ sections, with 1 – 4’8″ scrap section)
• 8 – 90° PVC 1/2″ elbows (contractor packs are often less expensive and include 10 elbows)
• 8 – PVC 1/2″ T-connectors (contractor packs are often less expensive and include 10 connectors)
• 1 – 3′ x 6′ sheet of white diffusing fabric (high quality bed skirts work well for this)
• 1 – sheet poster board or fabric backdrop (preferred 2′ x 4′, but smaller can be used as well)
• 2 – clips and a twist tie or string to connect them

Lighting:

• 2 or 3 – lamps with full spectrum compact florescent light bulbs

Required Accessories:

• camera
• tripod

Optional Accessories:

• additional backdrops of different colors, patterns, and textures
• tape or additional clips

Construction:

1. Begin by making 2 squares using the T-connectors and the 2′ sections of PVC pipe.
2. To these, you will add the 2″ sections of PVC pipe and the elbows.
3. These two frames can then be connected using the remaining 4 – 2′ sections of PVC pipe.
4. This frame will be used to support the fabric which will diffuse the light within your light box.
5. Using the two clips and the twist tie or string to connect them, clip your backdrop in place.
6. Drape the fabric over the frame and tuck the excess fabric under the edges of the frame (optionally, you can use tape or clips to secure the fabric in place.
7. Setup your lights along the side and top of the light box.
8. Setup your tripod at the entrance to your new light box and pick something to photograph.

Setup & Portability:

This lightbox improves on the design I found by increasing the size of the box (described here as a 2′ cube) and providing for portability. Since we didn’t use glue to hold the frame together, we can simply remove the four 2′ sections of PVC pipe which are holding the two frames together (see step 3). The whole frame is easily transported and quickly setup. Everything else (backdrops, tripod, lights, diffusing fabric, clips) can be easily packed up and transported as well.

Cost:

While costs will vary, I put this whole thing together for $15:

Results:

After constructing this light box I tested the setup with a couple of figurines. Let me know what you think of these images in the comments section below.

Barbie and I decided to participate in the October 15th rally in Barcelona so we could get a better idea of what European protests are like. Someone in the rally informed us that, although the French are noted for their penchant toward large protests, Spaniards are proud to protest more frequently. Although I can’t settle this debate between Spanish and French protesters without data and complicated statistical modeling, everyone can agree the United States doesn’t hold a candle to European protests. The US had a short flirtation with protesting in the 60′s and, until very recently, most people in the US dismissed this type of political expression. The Occupy movement seems to be changing the global perception of US protests, for good or ill is yet to be seen. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this series of photos from the October 15th rally in Barcelona and I’d love to hear from you in the comments below.

As we strolled down the promenade watching the impending storm begin to build, we were in awe of the waves crashing onto the shore and filling the whole town with a salty cool mist. One of the many objects that washed up on the shore yesterday was a simple tree limb of about eight feet alongside a smaller limb. They were gently placed on the freshly smoothed sand, perfectly parallel with the water line, as the waves receded and I snapped a the shot.

After returning home I fired up my computer and created several versions of this images using various software and a variety of settings. The first program I used was my old stand by, Picasa. I like the simplicity of the program and believe that most images should need nothing more than minor adjustments to the contrast, color, saturation, and sharpness. All of these things can quickly be done with Picasa. In addition, I straightened this image and added a graduated tint to bring out the blue of the Mediterranean Sea and the sky.

Version 1: Edited using Picasa (I'm Feeling Lucky, saturation, sharpen, straighten, graduated tint)

Later, I decided to try some HDR versions of this image and loaded the RAW file into Qtpfsgui (Luminances HDR). You see, RAW files allow you to create an HDR image without the need for bracketed images, and it’s very difficult to get the waves to hold still while you shoot a bracketed set. From Qtpfsgui (Luminance HDR), I created three HDR versions of this image which I liked. Each of these images was then loaded into GIMP where I straightened, cropped, and adjusted the levels before exporting them to JPG.

Version 2: Qtpfsgui 1.9.3 tonemapping parameters: Operator: Mantiuk Parameters: Contrast Mapping factor: 0.5 Saturation Factor: 2 Detail Factor: 50 ------ PreGamma: 1

Version 3: Qtpfsgui 1.9.3 tonemapping parameters: Operator: Mantiuk Parameters: Contrast Mapping factor: 0.5 Saturation Factor: 2 Detail Factor: 25 ------ PreGamma: 1

Version 4: Qtpfsgui 1.9.3 tonemapping parameters: Operator: Mantiuk Parameters: Contrast Mapping factor: 0.1 Saturation Factor: 2 Detail Factor: 1 ------ PreGamma: 1

These four images are quite different, but they were all created from the same RAW image. The differences are caused by the processing, similar to the way film processing can drastically change the final image. I like each of these versions for different reasons, but I would love to hear your thoughts on these images in the comments section below.

I’d love to hear what you think of these photos in the comments below.

In the comments section below, I’d love to hear your thoughts on food photography and its use in marketing.

On the flip side, I’ve been somewhat productive because I’m able to work from home.  Additionally, there is a bird feeder located just outside the back windows of my in-laws house which has kept me occupied.  When there’s this much snow on the ground the birds flock to the feeder and provide plenty of photo ops.  Here’s a small collection of my favorite 20-ish shots from the past two days.  In the comments below, let me know what you think of these photos and how you’re passing the time indoors if you’re also snow-bound.