Irrespective of whether you are an artist, a cook, a crafter, or simply someone who is looking to sell brand-new or second-hand stuff, the best way to take high-quality and professional photographs is by making use of a photography Lightbox.

These are also referred to as light tents. Ultimately, they allow you to take captivating product shots of anything every single time.

Photography light boxes are accessories that have sides made from a semi transparent material that ultimately diffuses light coming from a variety of sources. This gives you an almost completely shadowless and even amount of light to hit against a simple and solid background.

While some people choose to make their own light boxes, you can also choose to purchase a lightbox kit, and you will receive the box, light stand, lights as well as various backgrounds in a variety of colors to suit your requirements.

There are dozens of different lightboxes on the market, and in the following guide, we’ll take a look at the benefits of these photography tents and why you should be investing in them.

Overall Winner: ESDDI Photo Studio Light Box

The ESDDI Photo Studio Light Box is lightweight, durable, handy, and easy to set up. This lightbox sits comfortably on your desk and allows you to snap photos and check the quality on your computer immediately before moving on to the next item.

A dimmer switch can be used to adjust the brightness, and a selection of four backdrops for the ideal contrast in photos and significant improvement in picture quality is offered as well.

It also allows you to shoot at multiple angles since it has 30 windows to shoot at. The modes can be freely switched and photographed anywhere. Thanks to your SLR camera or mobile phone, you can make professional and perfect photos conveniently and quickly.

It also has a convenient design, and the single structure allows you to take it absolutely anywhere with you since it’s lightweight and compact in size.

It also has a good waterproof performance and durability since it is made from Oxford cloth. The external small mesh pocket is used to store small parts and other accessories.

The lightbox contains a practice adjusting rotary knob, which allows you to adjust the brightness quickly without extra settings. It contains 156 brightness adjustable LED lamps as well as 5500K color temperature and 25,000 lm.

This is enough to satisfy every professional’s requirement. You also won’t experience flicker or distortion thanks to the stable and even LED Lighting.

Pros:

• Lightweight and simple to set up
• Dimmer switch to conveniently adjust brightness
• High-quality LED lighting

Cons:

• Flaps are hard to stay open

Product specifications:

Size: 60 cm

Weight: 4.2 kg

Foldable: Yes

Materials: Oxford cloth

Brightness dimmer : Yes

Runner Up: AmazonBasics Portable Foldable Photo Studio

The Amazon basics portable photo studio is affordable and easier to use than ever. This one-piece collapsible photo studio has integrated LED lights, which make it convenient to capture high-quality images with your smartphone or camera.

It’s also great for product advertisers, hobbyists, and professionals alike. The photo studio promotes high-quality pictures and even saves space and time thanks to its convenient, quick setup and portability. No assembly is required.

It also contains optimized lighting and imaging options. Inspired by studio lighting, the primary light fills the box, and the second provides highlights and directional accents, and the inside walls bounce the light into your objects.

Each light is daylight balanced at 5600K with high color rendering index, high output LEDs, and consistent color for producing good contrast. It also contains enough output for handheld photography. The durable material protects the insides of the light box and also softens the shadows.

A bright, white, durable coating is contained in the background material, and a top hole makes imaging from above possible. The front flap has three doors that maximize image angles while minimizing outside reflections.

Carefully designed with you and your busy schedule in mind, this lightbox requires no assembly. You can set up and start imaging in less than one minute, so if you’re on the go, it’s definitely priceless.

The photo studio collapses into it a thin 2.5 inch easy to store carry case, and you can also use the shoulder strap will handle when moving around.

For easy transportability, loose components are neatly contained inside the case.

This lightbox contains a two-light approach that provides contrast and directional highlights similar to that offered by a studio lighting setup.

Ultimately this meets your creative needs, and you can easily attach various backgrounds to create the look and feel that you want using the photo studios built-in background hangar.

The entire structure of the lightbox including the fabric is designed for optimal protection and longevity. It has also been thoroughly tested to the highest standards and is designed entirely for daily use.

Pros:

• No assembly required
• Collapsable
• High output built-in LED lights

Cons:

• Lights are not full spectrum

Product specifications:

Size: 30 x 25 x 2.6 inches

Weight: 14 lbs

Foldable: Yes

Materials: Diffusion

Brightness dimmer : Not specified

Alternative: MyStudio MS20 Professional Tabletop Photo Studio Lightbox Kit

Mystudio is a totally unique and new approach to tabletop product photography. While other tabletop systems fold, collapse and have seams that have to be edited out later, My studio features a single piece of cyclorama background and a fixed radius.

Ultimately this gives you that high-quality, seamless, infinity background without minimizing shooting angles. Until recently, this technology was only made available in larger professional photo studios.

The lighting systems included with this box is customized for each studio and gives you ideal lighting each and every time.

Unlike other systems that simply make use of standard lights that must be positioned individually, My studio makes use of a number of lights to give you that ultimate final shot. It’s also competitively priced yet provides superior results.

If you are looking for an all-in-one lighting system studio which is professional and gets specific photos each and every time, then this is the one. It also has a seamless cyclorama background with curved corners and a complete color corrected daylight lighting system that has 5000K fluorescent lighting.

All you need to do is place your products or objects inside the studio, turn on the light, and snap a picture with any standard digital camera. You do not require any prior photographic experience, and you don’t even need to have a flash on your camera or device.

Pros:

• Seamless cyclorama infinity background
• 5000K fluorescent lighting
• Works with any standard digital camera

Cons:

• Expensive

Product specifications:

Size: 19.6 x 19.6 x 11.6

Weight: 9 lbs

Foldable: Yes

Materials: Cyclorama infinity background

Brightness dimmer: Not specified

Best for the Money: SAMTIAN Photo Light Box

The SAMTIAN Photo Light Box Portable Photography Studio Light Box, contains high-quality light beads. It also has 84 pieces of LED, and the lighting is ten times brighter than any ordinary lighting.

Ultimately it gives you the truest image of shooting objects. The inner wall of the photo studio contains reflective fabric, and the lights can be distributed to every corner of the tent resulting in softer and more uniform light.

As a bonus, there’s also a brightness dimmer and patented design with the multi-angle shooting. The brightness dimmer allows you to be more in control of the lighting effect ranging from 10% to 100%.

It also has a micro-hole exclusive patent design, and the front window supports horizontal shooting. The top hole supports 90° vertical shooting and meets different shooting angle demands.

Thanks to the portable and foldable design, you can take it absolutely anywhere. It’s also lightweight and compact, so it’s easy to store and set up again, even on the go.

Thanks to the versatile design, it’s entirely applicable to cameras, smartphones, and camcorders. It is, therefore, ideal for shooting small products such as jewelry, watches, and more.

Pros:

• High quality light beads
• Brightness dimmer
• Portable and lightweight

Cons:

• LED lights are not long lasting

Product specifications:

Size: 17.1 x 17.1 x 17.1

Weight: 3.75 lbs

Foldable: Yes

Materials: Reflective

Brightness dimmer: Yes

Runner Up: EMART Photography Table Top Light Box

This photo box contains powerful LED light strips that allow you to take professional photos each and every time. It is ideal for product photos or small-scale photographers looking to take higher-quality pictures.

It has four color photo backdrops which you can set up and remove effortlessly, giving you more options for shooting.

It’s ideal for amateur photographers to enhance their image quality; it’s also ideal for home businesses and online sellers. You can use it anytime and absolutely anywhere, thanks to its portability.

Thanks to the openings in the front and the top of the lightbox, you have access to an almost unlimited number of angles. In order to help eliminate harsh light and shadows, there is a combination of LED and natural daylight factored in. So ultimately, your pictures come out more natural-looking.

Pros:

• Portable and lightweight
• Variety of 4 backdrops
• 26 LED light strips

Cons:

• LED lights are cheap quality

Product specifications:

Size: 17.3 x 13.5 x 2.5

Weight: 3.05 lbs

Foldable: Yes

Materials: Not specified

Brightness dimmer: No

Light Box FAQ

What is a lightbox in photography?

Thanks to the world of e-commerce and sites like Etsy and eBay as well as platforms like Shopify, lots of people are monetizing their Instagram pages and blogs. Therefore people are always on the lookout for ways to make better and more professional-looking photos.

Irrespective of whether you are a hobbyist or an artist, one of the best ways to take high-quality photos is by investing in a photography lightbox.

Lightboxes are also referred to as photography tents and basically accessories that have sides made from a semi transparent material that diffuses the light coming from a number of different sources.

Ultimately this gives you shadowless photos and an even amount of light to hit against a solid and simple background.

There are many ways you can get a lightbox. You can choose to make your own, or you can choose to purchase one from many reputable online retailers.

If you decide to buy a lightbox kit, you will receive everything that you need to get started, such as the fabric backgrounds in several different colors, the light stand, lights, and the box as well.

So ultimately, these lightboxes can be used for absolutely any purpose as long as your object or item can fit inside the box and look great while you are photographing it, then go ahead and use it.

How do you set up a photography lightbox?

Once you get into lightbox photography, find a spot in your home that you can use your lightbox and keep it there constantly.

If you are using the phone tripod that is desktop height, then you have to get a second table or large surface that can make space for the box and lights as well as the camera tripod. If you are just using a camera and a regular floor tripod, then no additional table is required.

So to get your lightbox set up, you’ll need to:

• Have a secure table for your lightbox and lights
• Open the box and assemble it
• Apply your backdrop
• Curve the cloth behind so there’s no seam in the shot
• Set your lights up on the left and right-hand side
• Have an outlet nearby that has an extension cord with and off and on switch to make things more convenient
• Get your product and clean it up. This means removing any fingerprints, dust, etc. Ultimately this step is compulsory if you want your products looking shiny and new.
• Place the object in the center of the box on the cloth backdrop
• Put your camera on a tripod, and you are ready to take your first shot.

The usual set up for a lightbox is to place it on a flat surface like a table. You should also have the light source pointing directly opposite each other at either side of the box.

The tripod and camera need to be at the front and center of the box. Placing it on the table simply makes it easier to move everything and see exactly what you are shooting.

The backdrop that you choose will be attached on the inside of the lightbox at the top and should be dropped down flat and then sat across the boxes bottom. It’s absolutely essential that the backdrop is completely clean and clear of any creases, wrinkles, or debris.

If it’s not, then this is definitely going to affect your picture quality. If you are using a fabric backdrop, you should iron it out and give it a smooth look before you use it. You should also invest in a small lint remover or blower to make sure the backdrop is free of debris and dust.

Once you’ve done this, you are now ready to take some photos. Put the object that you want into the box, exactly in the center, and take a snap.

You can also choose to move it backward or forward, depending on the shadows of the lighting. Ultimately, using a lightbox is a matter of trial and error, and by moving the objects around and playing with the lighting and cameras, you will eventually get the hang of things.

What are the benefits of a photography light box?

If you are new to the world of photography or simply an amateur photographer, then the lighting options available can tend to be confusing. This is especially if you’ve only used natural light to take your photos.

Thankfully, light tents or light boxes are available and when it comes to taking professional photos, you’ll have everything you need. If you are contemplating investing in a lightbox, then here are some of the benefits to consider.

It diffuses ambient light. Light tents are useful for small business owners as well as hobbyists and amateur photographers that don’t want to invest in fancy lighting and just want some photos that show what an object actually looks like.

Lots of photos that are posted on e-commerce listings such as eBay use light tents containing a simple white backdrop to take pictures of products.

It is ideal for people who do not have the place to take photos with natural light.

Photos are professional with the right quality of lights and proper set-up.

The colors come out as close as possible to the real thing.

How to do proper product photography?

If you heard the saying, “a picture is worth a thousand words,” then a stunning product photo is probably worth ten thousand website visits. According to Trellis, 51% of Americans with internet access enjoy and actually prefer to shop online.

And if market trends have anything to say about it, that segment of buyers is going to keep growing.

However, that leaves 49% of the American population that are more comfortable buying certain things inside the store where they can actually see it and touch the product before handing over their money.

Internet storefronts, however, are still successful because being able to browse merchandise from your living room couch is probably one of the most convenient things to online shoppers.

However, to keep 51% of the population who enjoy online shopping happy, you need to constantly provide clear, eye-catching, and professional photos. This ultimately leads to visitors having more confidence in your offerings.

Photography, however, is not as simple as just pointing and shooting. There are some basic products that require the right type of equipment and lighting, as well as space to produce beautiful images that shoppers will fall in love with.

So if you’re planning on entering the world of e-commerce, here are a few tips to help you succeed.

Don’t be afraid to use a smartphone camera. You don’t need to invest in a 50-megapixel camera in order to take great smartphone pictures. A basic smartphone with a 12 or 13-megapixel lens is ideal for taking photos of different types of light.

Use a tripod for photo consistency. While there is no harm in holding your camera in your hands, if you are shooting a few product photos for a website, as your business grows, you will need to consider using a tripod.

This is because it can be difficult to standardize the orientation of the product in each photo when using a handheld camera. So if you’d like to ensure consistency across a product, then a tripod is absolutely essential.

Traditional or flexible

This choice is entirely up to your personal preference.

Both traditional and flexible tripods have a screw on the top which screws into your camera and hold it in place when you are shooting from the tripod.

Natural or artificial light

The type of lighting you use is essential to the result of your photos. While people get the best look of an item in person where they can see everything they need to before purchasing it, when advertising on a website, you need to be your customer’s eyes.

So purchase the right lighting arrangements that will help enhance the best features in your items.

While a single lighting setup will not work for all types of products, you need to have a few different types of setups if you’re photographing different types of objects.

When we speak about natural light, we are referring to sunlight, which is also known as soft light. So you would use natural light if you are shooting a product outside or if the product is meant to be used outside.

If the product is used by or shot with a person you also need to use natural light to take a better picture.

Sunlight is also important if you are trying to emphasize the product’s natural surroundings.

Artificial light refers to fire, candles, and lightbulbs. It’s also commonly known as hard light because it produces a smaller but more focused light surface. It caters to products with physical details that need to be highlighted in order to entice online shoppers.

Next, you want to bounce your light in order to soften shadows. Irrespective of whether you are using natural or artificial light, shadows and any potential hard lights can give your product an unprofessional look. So in order to soften the light, you can start by filling it.

So this involves including another less intense light source to supplement the primary light. You can also use a flashbulb bounce card or reflective card, which is a small card that you attach to the camera lens and reduces harsh shadows.

A standalone bounce card is ideal if you are shooting from a smartphone. You can make your own standalone bounce card and position it opposite your light source.

Irrespective of what type of light you are using, the main focus is to eliminate harsh shadows from your photos while still getting your product’s best features and that professional look.

Conclusion

Light boxes are fantastic tools for people who simply want to show off their objects and have consistent lighting between their photos. For online sellers that need to get pictures of their inventory, light tents are an absolutely perfect choice.

They come complete with all of the accessories needed to create your setup and therefore are a convenient choice for hobbyists and amateur photographers that are looking to get a professional setup without investing too much money.

For photographers who want beautiful images that showcase the subject, a light tent will slow you down, so you should consider investing in some foam-core and diffusion screens instead.

At the end of the day, learning how to properly assemble lighting setups and bring out the best in your photographs is what’s going to mean the difference between great photos and amateur looking photography.

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