Creating a White Background Inside a Cardboard Box

19. May, 2012 30 Comments

I covered the inside of cardboard box with white foam core to create an even white background. Here is a step by step showing how to do it.

Choose a box that it’s height about five times taller than the object you want to photograph. Remove the top flaps and two of the sides.

Cut three pieces of white foam core to fit the panels of the box. You can use any other white material as long as it is rigid and stays flat.

Tape the pieces of foam core board to the box.

In the inside the three pieces should fit seamlessly.

The light will come in through the window, reflect back off the white walls of the box like pool balls and give a light that is even and soft.

Put the box near a window. Try turning it around until you to find the spot where the light falls on the inside as even as you can get it.

The three panels will never look exactly the same – which is a really good thing because if they did the picture would look flat. A little imperfection can give a photograph character.

We are ready to go!
Experiment photographing in different areas inside the box and turning the box around to change the light.

You may also try photographing close to the corner so as to create the feeling of being some place.

Next week we’ll take a picture of silver jewelry by my kitchen window.

I am an advertising photographer living in NYC. My pictures help large companies sell more and to keep their brands looking fresh. I am also the founder of Via U! , an online studio dedicated to assisting artists selling in Etsy increase their sales too.

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30 Responses to “Creating a White Background Inside a Cardboard Box”

Lynnette McFadzen Reply 08. Feb, 2011 at 11:31 AM

it won’t load
- DebraAnn Reply 20. May, 2012 at 8:20 AM
  
  Thank you so much for this very informative lesson. I am going to bookmark it because I have always had a problem with photographing my work. Thanks again.
Melissa Reply 08. Feb, 2011 at 11:54 AM

It won’t load for me too.
Melissa Reply 08. Feb, 2011 at 1:58 PM

Wow! This was super easy!! Love the FreshDirect box!! LOL
sherrybing Reply 09. Feb, 2011 at 7:54 AM

easy and effective!
Juan Eduardo Carter Wainer Reply 09. Feb, 2011 at 9:00 AM

Thanks! although a photographer is still needed, these tips, make the looks of a product available to the naked eye!
Debra Reply 17. Feb, 2011 at 1:00 PM

I’m going to have to try this I think I already have a box that I can use.
Andrea Reply 18. Feb, 2011 at 11:51 AM

I made one of these previously and it works great! This is a wonderful tip.
AlikiBags Reply 06. Mar, 2011 at 3:38 PM

You have really done it again for me… Thank You So Much!I have done some sort of light box following another Etsy article, but this is super !
Must do a bit more planning and thinking because some of my handbags are quite big.
Kiki x
Stephanie Reply 08. Apr, 2011 at 5:48 PM

Wow! This is so helpful! I love natural light shots, but I also love the light box effect. Now I can have both!
- mariano Reply 09. Apr, 2011 at 3:40 PM
  
  Yes!
  Have fun.
  m.
Iris Reply 08. Apr, 2011 at 7:13 PM

Thanks for a very useful advice!
Patricia Johnson Glass Art Reply 27. Sep, 2011 at 7:11 AM

Thanks for sharing…can’t wait to try this!
Robin Reply 27. Sep, 2011 at 7:28 AM

Wow great tip..I always have trouble photographing things for my shop..Thanks so much..!
Tisha Reply 27. Sep, 2011 at 7:35 AM

Very helpful advice. I’ve seen directions like these using poster board. I like the foam board better.
Tisha Reply 27. Sep, 2011 at 7:35 AM

Very helpful advice. I’ve seen directions like these using poster board. I like the foam board better.
AboundingTreasures Reply 27. Sep, 2011 at 9:58 AM

Fantastic idea and so easy!!

I even have a box on hand that I had been thinking of tossing out … now I know what to use it for
Annette Reply 27. Sep, 2011 at 10:30 AM

This was really helpful as I always have trouble with backgrounds not being bright enough.I like the idea of making my own mini light box. Off to try it out
Elizabeth Pickett Reply 27. Sep, 2011 at 10:47 AM

thanks great info – DIY cheap easy – LOVE it!

Liz
http://www.bittersweetdesignstudio.blogspot.com
Sabine Reply 26. Oct, 2011 at 6:39 AM

That’s a very good idea. Always struggled with my product photos and the right background. Thanks!
angry birds rio Reply 31. Oct, 2011 at 4:08 AM

So cute! thanks for sharing.
Nikki Joy Reply 31. Oct, 2011 at 7:46 PM

Great tip, thank you for sharing this! I’ve been working on my photography for a while and it’s great to gather little tricks like this =) x
Little Blue's Room Reply 23. Nov, 2011 at 10:25 PM

Thank you so much for this tip! I’m a newbie blogger and my pictures are such low quality. I knew I needed to do something to improve them but didn’t know what – I will be trying this over the weekend with my latest craft.
Teena Stewart Reply 20. May, 2012 at 4:07 PM

Very helpful. Much appreciated
Izza47UK Reply 25. May, 2012 at 8:18 AM

I think that any thing that is hand made is more worth keeping much better than something made in a factory something that any one can have where as hand made is something special
like when my grand children do paintings for me I keep them all thank you for your site

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