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Are you looking to improve your photography? Are you a small business that wants its products to look their best? If so, then a photography light box can give you studio-quality photos from your own home. Choosing the best photography light box can be confusing considering the number of options available.
Luckily, we’ve done the research for you and picked the Foldable Portable Professional Booth by Neewer as our favorite. The box is easy to assemble and has good quality backgrounds. We’ve also put together a top 10 list for you to consider and created a handy buying guide to help you make your choice!
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Table of Contents
Before buying a photography light box, there are a few points you should take into consideration, such as size and lighting. To help you with this, we’ve put together this handy buying guide!
The purpose of a light box is to take photos of smaller items. The most common reason for this type of photography is to properly display something that is for sale so it’s important that you get the best photos possible. That’s why getting the right light box is so important and that begins with the size.
As a light box uses an enclosed environment to create a mini-studio and light your product from all angles, you need to make sure that your product will fit inside the light box. You need to not only consider the width, height, and depth of your object, but also anything you need to display it.
For example, if you’re photographing earrings and have a display stand for them, then you need to make sure the light box is the right size for the stand and not just for the earrings. If the lights are too close to your items, it will increase the chances of the lights causing glare in your photos.
For smaller items such as jewelry, we recommend looking at boxes that are around 18 inches on each side. Medium-sized items, such as shoes, small electronics, or bags should be served well by boxes up to 32 inches per side. Larger electronics such as desktop computers might need a box that is around 48 inches per side.
If you have a permanent space for your photography, then portability will not be a high priority for you. However, if you often photograph in various locations then this will be important.
As you may expect, smaller light boxes are more portable than larger ones! It may be tempting to get the biggest light box that you can, but this may not be wise if you have to travel with it. Look for light boxes that are easily assembled and disassembled.
Tent-style boxes that can collapse into a compact and thin layer are a good option. These can be pulled back into shape within seconds, and you won’t need any tools to assemble or disassemble them. Light boxes that fold flat like this are the easiest to both store and transport.
Another type of portable light box is structured like a box that hasn’t been assembled. All of the sides of the box are attached in one continuous piece and the box can be quickly assembled by attaching different sides to each other. When disassembled, this will fold flat.
Some light boxes come with a carry bag that will fit your light box and accessories perfectly, and these are good extras to look for.
When taking product photos, you will want to take photos from as many different angles as you can. This can be a little tricky in enclosed light boxes, but there are few features to look out for that will make this easier.
Look for light boxes that have shaped fronts so you can get photos from top-down or side angles, as well as just front-facing angles. Some other light boxes will have small openings around the box so you can get photos from various different angles. These will look enclosed but will still allow you to get the angles you need.
The more openings the box has, the more angles you will be able to capture. We would advise choosing a light box that offers as many angles as possible, but it really depends on how many photos you think you need.
As you may be able to guess from their name, lights are very important when it comes to light boxes! The boxes are designed to amplify and diffuse light to show your products at their best so choosing the right lights will give the best results. In order to get the most from the lights in your light box, look for ones that come with LED lights.
Light boxes often come with their own source of lighting, although you can use external lights to add extra light. This is something to keep in mind if you’re struggling with shadows, as the more sources of light you have around your item, the fewer shadows you will get.
The intensity of LED lights is measured in lumens; the higher the lumens, the brighter the lights will be. Some light boxes come with a dimmer switch so you can adjust the intensity. This will give you more control over your photos and is a good feature for the professional photographer to look for.
Another consideration when it comes to lighting is the color temperature. This is how reddish, neutral, or bluish the white light is and is measured in Kelvin. For clean, crisp photographs, you want cooler (bluish-white) color temperatures, so look for the highest values you can find. We recommend color temperatures of over 5,000 Kelvin.
Lights need a power source, so this is something else you need to consider. Some lights will need to be plugged into a power socket but many can be charged via a USB cable and don’t need to be plugged in when in use. Just make sure you charge your lights before you start your photography session!
Some light boxes come with diffusion cloths. These are pieces of material that cover the lights and act to diffuse or scatter light in order to soften the light. These cloths give you another option when it comes to lighting your items.
Virtually all light boxes will have a plain white background. White is great for reflecting light and is a neutral color that can be used as a backdrop for products of all types and colors.
Shooting only on a white background can get boring, and many light boxes will give you the option to change the color of the backdrop by including additional colors. A different background may be essential if the object you're shooting is also white!
These backdrops should be easily changed and can come in a wide variety of colors. If you want a variety of options for your photos, look for light boxes that offer you a choice of colors.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Price | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Neewer Studio Light Box | $99.99 High Mid | Versatile Lighting, Backgrounds and Angles | ||
2 | Amazon Basics Photo Studio Box | $148.94 High | Collapsible Box That Can be Set Up in Seconds | ||
3 | ESDDI Photo Light Box | $44.86 Low Mid | Comes With Two Separate Studio Lights | ||
4 | Travor Photography Tent Kit | $89.99 High Mid | Strong and Sturdy Light Box | ||
5 | Fositan Adjustable Shooting Tent | $83.99 Mid | Portable Light Box That's Easy to Take With You | ||
6 | Aureday Portable Photo Studio | $42.99 Low Mid | Easy to Assemble and Comes With a Phone Tripod | ||
7 | Neewer Tent Light Cube | $45.49 Low Mid | Pops Open and Folds into a Small Size | ||
8 | Samtian Tabletop Photography Lighting Kit | $79.99 Mid | Bright Lights That Can be Dimmed | ||
9 | ESDDI Photo Studio Light Box | $84.86 Mid | Durable Light Box With Quality Stitching | ||
10 | Emart Photography Table Top Light Box | $39.99 Low Mid | Shoot from Various Angles With This Box |
80 LED lights are built into the top of this box and can be dimmed as needed. The box comes with four different backgrounds and has various windows around the box so you can shoot from several different angles. You can fold up the box so it is easy to carry and once folded there is a mesh pocket for extras.
Some reviewers say it was difficult to eliminate glare on reflective items and others say the lights stopped working after a few months. However, most like the light-diffusing screen and say the box is easy to assemble. They also say the backgrounds are smooth and easy to change.
This light box is collapsible, ensuring it can be set up and folded down in mere seconds. When folded down, it is only two and a half inches thick and becomes its own carry case. It has an integrated pocket to store the power adapter and manual. The light box only comes with a white background.
Reviewers point out that the lights are positioned in ways that cause shadows when photos are taken. Some reviewers added additional lights to resolve this. However, reviewers love that this box is collapsible and so easy to use. They say the box is solid once opened but is lightweight enough to be portable.
Unlike the other light boxes on this list that come with lights, the lights with this box are two separate studio lights that can be positioned wherever you wish. This box is a good choice for phone photographers as it comes with a tripod for your phone and three backgrounds.
There are comments from reviewers that although the light box is good quality and easy to use, the studio lights are of lesser quality. Reviewers say the box is easy to set up and changing the backgrounds is also simple to do. They praise the quality of photos they can get with only their phone!
The LED lights that come with this box are highly flexible. You can control the brightness of the lights as well as the position and angle of the light boards. The box has several options for different angles and is easily set up with zippers. You also get a bag that can both store and carry the box and four different backgrounds.
The zippers were tricky to align which made the light box tricky to set up, according to some reviewers. However, they say that it has a strong and sturdy frame and praise the ability to move the lights.
This light box is highly portable. It can be folded into a storage bag and is easy to assemble into a light box thanks to the Velcro fastenings. The LED lights are attached to the box and can be dimmed as required. The light box allows for shots to be taken from numerous angles and there are five different backgrounds.
Some reviewers say the lights either didn't work or caused shadows. You may need additional lights depending on your needs. However, reviewers say the box is easy to set up and they praise the quality of the different backgrounds.
This light box offers a wide variety of angles for your camera. The open front allows you to take photos from the sides and there is a shooting hole at the top. The box is easily assembled and you get six different backgrounds. There are two strips of adjustable lights that can be dimmed and you also get a phone tripod as part of the package.
There are reports from some reviewers that the USB connector on the lights is awkwardly positioned and can easily break off. However, reviewers say it's easy to assemble and say it is ideal for small items. Reviewers like the extras that come with the box, such as the backdrops and the tripod.
If portability and compact storage are important to you, then this light cube may be a good choice. When unfolded the light box is 24 inches squared, but it can be folded down to only 12 inches when not in use. You have the choice of using the front cloth or not and you can choose from four different backgrounds.
Reviewers say that folding down this light box can be very difficult and that the material is often wrinkled. Several reviewers recommend ironing the backgrounds before use. They say that it pops open easily and reviewers like that it is lightweight and folds down to such a small size.
If you're looking for a variety of backgrounds, this light box might be a good choice as it comes with six different colors. The box can fold up into a carrying case and allows for photos to be taken from several different angles. The inner surfaces of the box are reflective, and the LED lights are very bright but can be dimmed as needed.
Reviewers point out that the LED lights are not fixed to the box and that attaching them isn't easy or secure. The box itself is easy to assemble, however, and reviewers like the quality of it. Once attached firmly, reviewers say the lights are bright and warm, and they like that the brightness can be dimmed.
You can fold this light box down into its own carry case and it's easily assembled with Velcro fastenings. The LED lights are fixed to the top panel and can be dimmed as needed. The interior of the box is reflective to ensure the inside is bright and the box comes with four different backgrounds and a diffuser cloth.
Some reviewers say that attaching the backgrounds was tricky - they can easily fall down and don't fully cover the back of the box. But overall, buyers said that setting up the box is easy and they praise the stitching and durability of it. They also like the adjustability of the lighting and it makes for crisp and bright photos.
The lights with this box have three color modes and can be dimmed to ensure you get the best lighting for your items. The box is easily assembled with snap buttons and, thanks to the open front and top shooting hole, you can snap photos from various angles. It also comes with four backgrounds and a tripod stand for your phone.
Some reviewers say that the snap buttons that hold the box together broke quickly. There are also complaints that once assembled, the box had gaps in the corner which let in light. However, reviewers praise how light and portable the box is and say that it's easily assembled. They like the color of the backgrounds and say they don't crease.
If you're looking for even more ways to improve and enjoy your photos, then we have some recommendations for you. Whether you're a professional or amateur, these items can help you get your best shots.
No. 1: Neewer|Studio Light Box
No. 2: Amazon Basics|Photo Studio Box
No. 3: ESDDI|Photo Light Box
No. 4: Travor|Photography Tent Kit
No. 5: Fositan|Adjustable Shooting Tent
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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