DIY Macro Photo Studio

Last Monday, when I was surfing the internet I find out about macro photo studio from viNcee in Low Yat forum. At first, I have no idea what it was but after a few reading, I realized that I already built it before but the set up was much simpler than at strobist.

A few years ago, I was selling some items on lelong.com.my. To attract buyers I had to take picture of all of my items. So, this was my first time experiencing macro photography. But with small budget, I only  used point and shoot (PnS) camera, a Canon Power A610.

The set up was so simple. I use 2 boxes and a few sheets of A3 paper. I use room light and camera flash as the lighting. The outcome was acceptable but because the source of light was minimum, I had very tough time to get a clear picture. Most picture were dark. Even with photoshop, I couldn't correct them.

When I read the guide in the Strobist and also some posts by forumers in Canon Digital Photography Forum, I found that their pictures are superb with their own design of Mini Studio. There are a lot of design. If I'm not mistaking, the price of those light box can easily reach thousand hundred ringgit base on the material and also the size. However, in strobist blogspot, they claimed that the cost of their macro mini studio are no more than $10. Is it true?

So I forked out my RM20 and go to the nearest stationary shop. I will not use "used box" because I will try to make my own box from scratch.

Cost

I asked the sales girl to show me the thickest paper available in the shop and she recommend me mounting paper. This paper has the dimension of 20" X 30" and it is thick enough for the purpose, so I bought 2 (black/white color).

Then I bought 2 tracing paper, 1 roll of  black tape and 2 small clip.

Total cost are:

1. 2 X black mounting paper = RM8.00 (RM4 each)

2. 2 X tracing paper = RM3.00 (RM1.50 each)

3. 1 X black tape = RM2.50

4. 2 x small clip = RM0.40

Total =  RM13.90

Step by step

1. First I cut the first board to 2 parts. Then I cut a windows.

2. For the 2nd board I cut into 3 parts. No window for this board.

3. From 1st board, I have two small 11" X 16" board (from windows). I combined both to get 22" X 16" board (use the tape).

4. Then I cut a windows from the combined board.

5. For the tracing paper, I cut two 12" X 17" and one 12" X 13". I taped them to the windows.

6. Now time to tape all board. Please see images.

7. For the background paper, I tape 2 small clip to the back board.

8. By using this design, I can flip this light box for easier storage.

During the set up. I bought another roll of black tape and 1 sheet of "mahjong" paper. So total cost RM13.90 + RM2.50 + RM0.40 = RM16.80. So I think this is as much as you can spend to build this light box. The cost can be cut if you use normal box and also make a smaller windows. I think, one tracing paper is enough and buy longer black tape. SO, if I calculate again, the cost can be only RM5.00.

1. 1 X Tracing paper RM1.50

2. 1 X longer black tape RM3.00

3. 2 X small clip RM0.40

Total RM4.90.

Lighting

This is a different story. I try to search for suitable lamp at supermarket but no hope. So, I borrowed 2 table lamp. The bulb come with the lamp is no bright enough and not white. So, I went superstore and bought one 11W bulb for RM10 and one 25W for RM2+. The 11W bulb produce the same as 60W bulb and 125W for 25W bulb.

I just want to experience the power of this 2 different bulb. The 11W bulb is non-branded and the 25W is from Philip Tornado (Cool daylight). From my observation, the 25W is much better option although the price are higher. It is smaller and lighter. But I think 18W bulb is enough.

The Result

These are picture I took with the set up.