Faux-Professional Pictures, Homemade Lightbox???

Decorating By taria Updated 24 Jun 2013 , 8:38pm by Cakepro

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taria Posted 2 Mar 2010 , 1:19am
post #1 of 43

I recently came to the conclusion that I needed better pictures of my cakes. There's nothing like a crumb-covered counter top to lend to the authenticity of my cakes; however, I think clients will respond better to great photos. So what did your girl do?? I created a homemade light box, or "photo stage", for my work.

This is just a cardboard box with the sides cut out and replaced with wrapping tissue. The tissue-covered "windows" allow for the light coming from the two lamps flanking the box to be diffused into the box. The baby shoes are sitting on a white poster board, or the "stage". See the before and after pictures of the gum paste baby shoes below.
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42 replies
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cakeandpartygirl Posted 2 Mar 2010 , 1:26am
post #2 of 43

huge difference and I like it!!!

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Justforfun751 Posted 2 Mar 2010 , 1:37am
post #3 of 43

Great idea - Thank you!!!!

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Mrs-A Posted 2 Mar 2010 , 1:39am
post #4 of 43

i thought your 2nd pic was a pro pick until i read the post - very impressive. congrats

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taria Posted 2 Mar 2010 , 1:48am
post #5 of 43

Thanks! The light box was sooo easy to make. It literally took me 10 minutes and cost less than $2 icon_biggrin.gif

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KathysCC Posted 2 Mar 2010 , 1:54am
post #6 of 43

Great idea, I am going to have to try this. I just can't get my cake pictures to look good.

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noahsmummy Posted 2 Mar 2010 , 2:13am
post #7 of 43

wow! that really does make a huge difference! makes it easier to see all the tiny details that make it look so great!

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christiemc Posted 2 Mar 2010 , 2:13am
post #8 of 43

Thanks for sharing! I can't wait to try. What size box did you use? Do you think you would need to use a bigger box for a cake?

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G_Cakes Posted 2 Mar 2010 , 2:14am
post #9 of 43

WOW!!! Great idea thanks for sharing!

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taria Posted 2 Mar 2010 , 2:29am
post #10 of 43
Quote:
Originally Posted by christiemc

Thanks for sharing! I can't wait to try. What size box did you use? Do you think you would need to use a bigger box for a cake?




I used a 12"x12"x18" box that I had laying around the house. I have an 18"x18"x18 box in the closet, and I plan to make a light box with that the next time I do a larger cake.

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3GCakes Posted 2 Mar 2010 , 2:40am
post #11 of 43

Cool! My pics suck, I definitely need to take some drastic action!

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jillangeles Posted 2 Mar 2010 , 2:49am
post #12 of 43

wow that is a big difference! Good Idea!

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Loucinda Posted 2 Mar 2010 , 3:28am
post #13 of 43

What kind of camera are you using? (I am looking to get a new one)

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taria Posted 2 Mar 2010 , 3:40am
post #14 of 43
Quote:
Originally Posted by Loucinda

What kind of camera are you using? (I am looking to get a new one)




I have a Sony Powershot SD750. It's just your typical point and shoot camera. I even looked into professional-type cameras today, but they are sooooo expensive! That's why I created the light box! Better than dishing out $400-$600.

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The_Lil_Cakehouse Posted 2 Mar 2010 , 3:50am
post #15 of 43

Awesome!! I have been trying to get my hubby to make me one of these. So Is the top cut out also? So Right Side, Left Side, Top Side, cut out and tissue paper duct taped over them to make windows? And Just Desk Lamps...am I missing something?? This made a world of difference!!!

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taria Posted 2 Mar 2010 , 4:14am
post #16 of 43
Quote:
Originally Posted by CakesbyLecia

Awesome!! I have been trying to get my hubby to make me one of these. So Is the top cut out also? So Right Side, Left Side, Top Side, cut out and tissue paper duct taped over them to make windows? And Just Desk Lamps...am I missing something?? This made a world of difference!!!




Yep - top, left, right. I used two-sided tape to stick the tissue to the box. Then I layered on another sheet of tissue paper to make it thicker (cuz tissue is so thin). You could also use parchment paper (I was out, so I used the next best thing!). And yes, those are just two regular Walmart desk lamps.

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CakeMommyTX Posted 2 Mar 2010 , 4:37am
post #17 of 43

great idea, I'm saving this for later icon_smile.gif

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JustToEatCake Posted 2 Mar 2010 , 5:02am
post #18 of 43

Awesome, Thank you for sharing this!

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KHalstead Posted 3 Mar 2010 , 3:37pm
post #19 of 43

so amazing, even the details on the shoes are so much crisper............................you used the exact same camera to shoot both pics? I can't believe how much clearer the second photo is. I wonder if most of the people on here that think their cameras stink just need proper lighting?

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taria Posted 3 Mar 2010 , 3:48pm
post #20 of 43
Quote:
Originally Posted by KHalstead

so amazing, even the details on the shoes are so much crisper............................you used the exact same camera to shoot both pics? I can't believe how much clearer the second photo is. I wonder if most of the people on here that think their cameras stink just need proper lighting?




Yes, both pictures are shot with the same camera. I, too, was one of those people that thought my camera stunk. Add proper lighting with a bit of photo editing at Picnik.com and you get a great pic. See the same shoe after photo editing below.

http://cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=1598888

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FierceConfections Posted 3 Mar 2010 , 3:54pm
post #21 of 43

Love this idea! Thank you. thumbs_up.gif

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KHalstead Posted 3 Mar 2010 , 3:58pm
post #22 of 43

i use picnik too............saves me tons of headaches (because you can edit pics SO quickly on there).......if I had to spend more than a minute editing a photo I'd never bother!

I am going to have to find a HUGE box, I'd love to make one of these on a bigger scale for tiered cakes too. Now if we could just figure out how to make a huge one that was collapsible! lol

Can you imagine the looks on people's faces when you set up their wedding cake INSIDE of a cardboard box so you can have a decent pic. instead of getting a pic with all the tacky decorations and random catering staff in the background (I hate that!)

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taria Posted 3 Mar 2010 , 4:03pm
post #23 of 43

Lol! I think the box could be collapsible. Just remove the packaging tape from the actual, physical bottom of the box (the back wall of the light box) to collapse the box (as you would a standard cardboard box) for travel, then tape it back up when you get to the venue. I hadn't even thought about collapsibility (sooo not a word) until you just brought it up. What a good idea!

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CakeEvolution Posted 3 Mar 2010 , 4:48pm
post #24 of 43

Thanks so much, will be trying this one soon

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AverageMom Posted 3 Mar 2010 , 6:07pm
post #25 of 43

Brilliant! I can't wait to get home and try this. My pictures suck, mainly because by the time I finish making the cake I could care less about the pics.

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metria Posted 3 Mar 2010 , 6:22pm
post #26 of 43
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MORSELSBYMARK Posted 3 Mar 2010 , 11:50pm
post #27 of 43

really cool - definitely need to try it

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cylstrial Posted 4 Mar 2010 , 2:37am
post #28 of 43

Wow! Major difference! Thanks for sharing!

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onlymadaresane Posted 4 Mar 2010 , 2:49am
post #29 of 43

I'm so going to make one. Like right now!

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supermama322 Posted 15 Mar 2010 , 6:10am
post #30 of 43

Thank you SOOOO much!!! I saw this post a few days ago and rushed right out to get the stuff to make the box! I used it for an order yesterday and WOW! What a difference!! I have received a LOT of comments on my facebook about how professional the pics of the cake look and some asking if I took it to a photo studio. lol!! Here's a link to the cake if you want to have a look but I just wanted to stop in and say thank you for posting this!
http://www.cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=1611539

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