Light Box for Photographing Jewelry

by Pamela Lo Piccolo
(Signature Bead Designs)

Light box for photographing jewelry, made by Pamela Lo Piccolo

When I first starting taking pictures of my jewelry, I was taking the picture too far away and couldn't quite get the right light.

It was time to learn something about all those features on my camera like the Macro feature and White Balance.

If your camera has these features, use them! They make a world of difference.

Taking photographs at night and getting a good picture was impossible before my light box.

But now with my homemade light box, I don't have to wait for the sun to come up.

How to
Make a Homemade Light Box

I made my light box from foam board and tissue paper.

The tissue paper is taped on both sides where I cut out the foam board.

Desk lights were placed on each side and one on top.

This inexpensive light box costs about $6.00 (plus lamps) and I made it in 2 hours.

Depending on the time of day and shadows, I might turn on just one light or all three.

Taking pictures against a white background requires a White Balance test on your camera.

For more color in some pictures, I often use a piece of 12 x 12 scrapbook paper as a background.

Pamela Lo Piccolo
Signature Bead Designs blog
Signature Bead Designs etsy shop

Comments for
Light Box for Photographing Jewelry

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DIY Light Box for Photography
by: Rena

Pamela, thanks so much for posting this great do-it-yourself project!

Being able to photograph jewelry at night or on really cloudy days is a huge help to many of us.

Thank you for sharing such an affordable, do-able way to create a light box.

This is what we need!
by: Maria Hansford

Thank you for sharing this great idea!
It is economical and functional.
I often ask friends or pay for professional pictures of my jewelry.....but now I am going to build a light box and give it a try!!
Great article!!!
Maria

Maria Hansford
The Treasure Chest
www.mia09.etsy.com

thanks for the idea
by: nupur arora

wow! what a great idea! will surely implement it and let you know!

Light Bulbs
by: Walter

Nice instructions for building the Light Box.
I have a question about lighting, several really

What kinds of bulbs do you use?

What is the wattage?

What is the color balance of your lighting?

I am having difficulty a true color for gemstones

Does anybody have types?

Thank you everyone for your feedback!
by: Pamela

I hope I have helped at least one person with photographing their craft. For jewelry photography, I have found that moving my lights around and directing them through the tissue at different angles will affect the sparkle of certain pieces (especially the Swarovski cyrstals). As for light bulbs, I had read somewhere on the web to use full spectrum lightbulbs. I bought these at $4.00 a piece and found they do not make any difference. I now use regular 40-60 watt light bulbs. I would like to add that once I take my photo I do touch them up with the "auto-correct" feature in my computer software program when I view all my photo shots. I take about 10 shots at different angles and depths and then I use the best 5 for my online Etsy shop.

Thanks
by: Anonymous

Thanks Pamela for sharing.

Great light box!
by: Tricia - Bead Booty

I love your idea of using foam board to construct your box. It looks much stronger than cardboard. I bought a "professional" light box with backgrounds and lights and stuff but have packed it up to be resold. I hate it! It didn't work half as well as the cardboard box and tissue paper I originally used.

Your foam board lightbox has sparked a fire in me to follow suit. Thanks for sharing Pamela!

P.S. Your jewelry is beautiful and your photos are great!

Thank you for such a great guide
by: Minh

i am currently helping my family to run the jewelry store, Thanks to your guide now i can save some money!

fantastic idea
by: salma

this is a brilliant idea specially when i am in the UK and the weather is so horrid, i love taking pictures and this will work great for me.

thank you for sharing

Light Box
by: Designs by Love

Thank-you so much, sounds and looks great, I'm about to try it, I'll write back..

light box
by: Anonymous

I do not see actual instructions for the light box...are they hiding somewhere?

Light Box
by: Designs by Love

I tried it, your idea works beautifully! Thanks for Gimp 2 also, its great..

This is the nicest DIY Lightbox
by: Jeane

I found a few others and decided to make one. It called for a cardboard box that you covered in white tape and white material. It works but was messy looking. Yours looks professional and clean and I love it. I will be making this one this week. Thanks!