Faux-Professional Pictures, Homemade Lightbox???
Decorating By taria Updated 24 Jun 2013 , 8:38pm by Cakepro

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.






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

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?

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.




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.

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!!!

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.



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?

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


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!)

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!

Thanks so much, will be trying this one soon

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.

here's another great tutorial for DIY lightbox
http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/07/how-to-diy-10-macro-photo-studio.html



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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