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View Full Version : Do light tents really make the difference?


Mangus
06-23-2008, 05:48 PM
I've been thinking about investing into a light tent so wanted to get some opinions. Not sure if this is the right place to ask this?

CKinSD
06-23-2008, 06:17 PM
i just saw a nice cheap one for starters at my local wallmart i hope to buy this weekend when paid. i tihnk they make a world of difference in taking pictures of pieces

hazmatt
06-23-2008, 09:10 PM
A light tent may make a difference depending on what type of photos you plan to take. For product type photography they will help, but you won't be able to take 'dramatic' shots. Before investing in one, check out the link below...

http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/how-to-make-a-inexpensive-light-tent/

Soul
06-24-2008, 12:19 AM
A light tent gives you more control over the lighting in your shot. Now i do not know what hazmatt meant with "dramatic shots" but you can take very dramatic shots using all sorts of different colored lighting and usage of shadow for example. Also, when you add water in a contained environment (such as a glass for example) to the mix you can really get freaky if you're into that kind of photography. The sky is pretty much the limit except if your looking for nature backgrounds etc that is (and not looking to digitally adding a background in PP, which same purpose light tents are often used for).

You can have a lot of fun with a light tent. They're cheap on ebay, just buy and try :)

VinReaper
06-24-2008, 12:29 AM
A light tent may make a difference depending on what type of photos you plan to take. For product type photography they will help, but you won't be able to take 'dramatic' shots. Before investing in one, check out the link below...

http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/how-to-make-a-inexpensive-light-tent/

The best tip I have seen all year so far! Thanks Hazmatt! :thumbs2:


VR

Merlose
06-24-2008, 12:46 AM
I was just telling Al all about this on another thread.

I really need to do a demo for you guys.

hazmatt
06-24-2008, 12:48 AM
A light tent gives you more control over the lighting in your shot. Now i do not know what hazmatt meant with "dramatic shots" but you can take very dramatic shots using all sorts of different colored lighting and usage of shadow for example. Also, when you add water in a contained environment (such as a glass for example) to the mix you can really get freaky if you're into that kind of photography. The sky is pretty much the limit except if your looking for nature backgrounds etc that is (and not looking to digitally adding a background in PP, which same purpose light tents are often used for).

You can have a lot of fun with a light tent. They're cheap on ebay, just buy and try :)

Just to clarify, I'm not speaking from experience here. I've never used a light tent but what I have seen them used for are more product or catalog type shots shown in the link I posted above. What I meant by 'dramatic' was pictures taken with harsh or moody lighting, i.e. one side of the object brightly lit and the other in mostly shadow. From what I understand, a light tent will bathe the subject in light from all sides and angles. As there are no rules to using one it may be possible to rig lights in such a way as to achieve different effects...multiple lights, different color lights, shades, reflectors, etc. I'll build one when I have time and mess around. After all, experience is the best teacher:thumbs2:

The best tip I have seen all year so far! Thanks Hazmatt! :thumbs2:


VR

:thumbs2:

hazmatt
06-24-2008, 12:50 AM
I was just telling Al all about this on another thread.

I really need to do a demo for you guys.

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j231/EllesDTrails/OwenStarskyHutchSignatureDoIt.jpg

Merlose
06-24-2008, 12:56 AM
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j231/EllesDTrails/OwenStarskyHutchSignatureDoIt.jpg

Okay, gimme a bit and I'll do something quick.

hazmatt
06-24-2008, 12:57 AM
Okay, gimme a bit and I'll do something quick.

take your time. no rush.

Merlose
06-24-2008, 01:22 AM
take your time. no rush.

If I don't do it now I'll forget by tomorrow morning. lol I just did it, I'm just waiting for the pics to upload to photobucket.

HoldyourfireAl
06-24-2008, 01:26 AM
Can't wait! :)

Averone
06-24-2008, 01:30 AM
Yes it would be very nice to see, gets me thinking...maybe I should invest in one for the fun of it. How much are they anyhow?

HoldyourfireAl
06-24-2008, 01:31 AM
Just build one. Google light box. There's lots of ideas out there. :)

Merlose
06-24-2008, 01:49 AM
Just build one. Google light box. There's lots of ideas out there. :)

yes they come in all shapes sizes and prices. The one I used for the little demo coming up is a mini one that goes over a camera flash and only cost about 10 bucks.
What they do is they diffuse (or spread) the light out more than it would be with just a direct light. The bigger the box the more spread out the light will be across the subject, with shiny objects the highlights will be larger which create a better over all look. The proximity from light source to subject will also effect this, the further away your box is from the subject the light will more spread out and your highlights will become smaller and end up looking like just a standard light highlights, that being the case I like to use light boxes as close to the subject as possible in order to get the most out of the highlights. However getting the lights in close also creates more of a direction(not so noticable if you you're using a large box) but if you use a smaller one like in the example I'm about to show you will notice more shadow on the opposite side from which the light is coming from, you may like this to keep the effect dramatic but if you're wanting the soft light look that a light box is suppose to give you can add another box to the opposite side or simply use a reflector (can be as simple as a bright white sheet of paper) which is what I did in these shots coming up in a minute....

HoldyourfireAl
06-24-2008, 01:51 AM
Waiting.....................................zzzzzzzzzzzzz.....................................:)

Merlose
06-24-2008, 01:58 AM
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb101/merloseriot/diffused1.jpghttp://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb101/merloseriot/hard1.jpg

on the left we have the image with the diffusion box(tent, light box, whatever you want to call it)

and on the right the one without.....

as I said in the earlier post the one on the left I'm also using a sheet of paper to fill in the shadow side to emphasize the effect of the box.
The things to notice between the two shots is the Highlights on his arm closest to the light source. Look at the difference in both the shape and the size of them (but as previously noted this will change and improve the bigger the box is, the one i'm using here is very small). Your angle will also matter on this, look at the images below where I'm at a slightly higher angle to get the entire set up the highlights are wider not just across his arm but on his chest as well, when photographing shiny objects this type of lighting is the way to go!
Also note the light edge transition from light to dark.
As well take note of the background, the diffused (box) lights up the background more evenly while the standard (or "hard light") creates more of a spot light effect.

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb101/merloseriot/diffused2.jpghttp://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb101/merloseriot/hard2.jpg

Merlose
06-24-2008, 02:00 AM
there you go guys, I hope that's useful. =)

HoldyourfireAl
06-24-2008, 02:10 AM
Thanks so much!!!!!!!!!!

Merlose
06-24-2008, 02:15 AM
you're welcome. :D

Mangus
06-25-2008, 10:25 PM
Very helpful. I was just wanting to try one in hopes my pic's of my statues would look half way decent.

Malumsonitas
08-23-2008, 02:03 PM
This is great i have tried many things to try to get the light tent effect but with this.... awesome thanks Hazmatt

Wesley Pierce
08-23-2008, 09:16 PM
A light tent may make a difference depending on what type of photos you plan to take. For product type photography they will help, but you won't be able to take 'dramatic' shots. Before investing in one, check out the link below...

http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/how-to-make-a-inexpensive-light-tent/


While not truly statue related, I found this site to be an amazing help for my personal photography experience. Thanks for sharing Hazmat!!!

sdf3
09-02-2008, 10:02 PM
You may have seen this but I found this tutorial on making a cheap light tent if you were interested


http://www.eyefetch.com/tutorial-light-tent-101.aspx

patman
09-14-2008, 01:41 AM
very helpful tips! thanks!