Paul's DIY Photo booth

[Paul]

A few of you may have seen the small lighting booth i made a while back, well that that worked ok under my desk lamps but i wanted something more permanent that was always set up and ready to rock and roll.

So using the following materials i built my custom made 600mmx450mmx400m booth, which cost about £40 in total

2 A1 sheets 5mm foamboard £7 from hobby craft
2 600mm T8 fluorescent lights with 6500k 18w daylight tubes £24 from local electrical shop
Cable and plugs £5
Various colours (white, grey, blue and black) a2 card 50p a sheet from local art shop
2 plastruct channel pieces. £2 from local model shop

I cut the foam board to size and glued it together using CA Glue, the light fitted perfectly over head and i added strengthening bars in between, this way i can shot through it form above. I wired the lights up using the 3 core cable, if your not sure get an electrician to do it for you.

I glued two lengths of the plastruct channel to the back and front, this allows the card to sit perfectly with a nice curve at the back and i can switch colours in seconds and store all the card in there if needed.

Ands that it really, i covered the lights with some paper to defuse the light and it works great, I'm no expert with a camera but it defo makes a difference to my pictures so I'm happy with it. Im using a panasonic lumix bridge camera








And some of the pictures I've taken recently

[jbellos1]

Very nice set up. Good to have a dedicated spot that we can see works very well.

[AtomicAndy]

Fantastic piece of kit.

[stuart66madmodeller]

Awesome job mate.

[kiwigav]

Great set up Paul

[ke1stcav]

I can see how nice the pictures came out using the photo booth. But I have a few questions.

1. Why do you have to put paper over the lights?
2. What does the differant color background paper do?

[Paul]

I can see how nice the pictures came out using the photo booth. But I have a few questions.

1. Why do you have to put paper over the lights?
2. What does the differant color background paper do?

The paper diffuses the light making them appear less harsh on the subject and different backgrounds for different coloured subjects to show them properly

[RobBye]

Nice work Paul.

[TheSmoo]

I wish I had the room for a lightbox like that, top job Paul

[Paul]

I wish I had the room for a lightbox like that, top job Paul

Cheers, I've changed it a little since then its now a little taller and i tend to use the black background more now

[ladip63]

Nice build Paul. I'm going to have to make me one.

[Les]

A nice design with great results! Thanks for a look at it.

[Maverik]

Nice work Paul this hobby just gets better all the time I will try nd make one myself to

[Maverik]

Paul do you need the two lights or an you get away with one

[Paul]

Paul do you need the two lights or an you get away with one

I thin two is needed, i may even add a third at the front

[Maverik]

Ok no worries I'll take your advice cheers Paul

[burnie43]

That's great Paul
I had bought one of that CHEAP portable photo booths but it was crap...and dangerous , the lights almost melted.!!
I think having the right camera really helps though...or is that just my excuse for rubbish photos
cheers for the tips
Mark

[spock1701]

Great looking booth there. Have to get me one of those. My photography needs a boost.

[chalkyw]

DIY or not that looks like a pro set up......you should start selling those mate, they'd fly out the door I'm sure

[kprice52001]

I love it, You have inspired me! I have $8.00 in my pocket that's burning a hole in my pocket. Thanks for the great Idea!