I set up my light tent on Sunday thinking I would have a free afternoon to take pictures but of course, after I brought all my projects down and took up the entire kitchen bar with the thing, my battery was dead. I based my light tent on this post over at make, and it looks quite a bit like that but with fabric interfacing over the pvc to diffuse the light.
To build it I purchased several of the short lengths of 1/2″ pvc (the long ones wouldn’t fit in the car) and the appropriate connectors. I purchased these items at Lowe’s along with the industrial clip lamps (approximately $6 apiece if I remember correctly, I think the pvc & connectors were under $5 for all) and full-spectrum lightbulbs. I made the frame to fit a piece of 19 x 25 mi-tientes paper from JoAnn’s, primarily because I associate posterboard with decidedly un-fun school projects and I’ve wanted an excuse to buy some of that paper for a while. It has a wonderful texture. Also at JoAnn’s I picked up some fabric interfacing, the non-fusible kind (the clip lamps do get hot and although I’m careful to keep them from touching the interface or getting it too hot I don’t want to risk it sticking to the shade) that was a dollar or two a yard.
The pictures I took last night were lacking only in a little extra brightness and stability so I ordered the gorillapod tripod. I gave my sister the photographer one for Christmas and she is happy with it so I am sure it will more than meet my needs. I also used some accumulated geek points to get a powersquid so I can ramp up the focused lighting with more clip-ons. All in all, it was a very affordable project and I think once I get more lights up it will be well worth the small amount of money and effort.
Today, a light tent, tomorrow, etsy!
