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All you need is a camera and a good eye to get the perfect shot, right? Think again, at least when it comes to product photography.
When shooting inanimate objects like food, electronics, or jewelry, you need to be in full control of the light and backdrop in order to get high-quality images fit for use in your marketing campaign or online store (or just for social media). That’s where a photo lightbox comes into play.
By using a lightbox for photography, you gain that control and also reduce the amount of post-production that will need to go into editing your images.
What is a Photo Lightbox?
A photo lightbox — also known as a light tent — is a box with translucent sides and a white backdrop. The box is intended to be empty so that you can place a product inside, take a photo, and get a result that has professional-quality lighting, with no shadows disrupting the plain, even background.
What Are the Best Lightboxes for Photography?
When you start shopping for the best photo lightbox to help you grow your photography business, you should first assess your needs. Will you be shooting small items, like jewelry? Do you want to offer your clients the option to shoot products both big and small? Depending on your answers, the photo lightbox that’s best for you will be different. Some photo lightboxes are 12-inch cubes, while others can be as big as 35 inches. Both sizes produce great work, and what’s right for you will simply depend on what products you’re working with.
Additionally, you may want a photo lightbox that comes with a few extra backdrops if you want to have the option of shooting color backgrounds.
No matter what size lightbox you or extra accessories you need, it’s important that the photo lightbox is easily portable so you can take it to shoots.
We’ve rounded up four of the best portable photo lightboxes that will help you shoot professional-grade product photos in no time.
