Ala Rockstar photographer Tre's box. Trying to see if we can build a DIY Monster Light Box that actually works!

Actual Dimensions of Box: 8ft(L) x 7ft(H) x 2ft(W)

- A few long PVC pipes

- Hacksaw

- PVC primer and Glue

- Some difficult to find fabric that's exactly like see thru umbrellas you can purchase

Well I'll update this post when I actually get it right. Today was the first test run fitting and learned a few things so many changes to come. Box may also appear to be distorted but grass in the backyard isn't even.

Changes Coming:

- White fabric needs to be cut 4" so that the case fits tighter. (Will close on bottom via Velcro)

- Lucky my mom's a seamstress and assisting me. I tried to explain the concept on paper but now she gets it. She's going to look for another piece of white fabric that's actually wide and long enough that she doesn't have to have a seem in it.

- Doing some research she really like the "lastolite" official one that Tre uses and thinks she can mimic and do the whole wire frame collapsible thing. Mentioned it's very similar to wedding dress frames. (I think the work effort for the first go round is too much so don't wanna kill her since she's not that young anymore)

- The main issue is pulling the white fabric really nice and tight. We tossed some ideas around and I figured a pull strap with buckle would totally fix this. Going to look for these tomorrow. (Similar to image #8)

Stay Tuned...see if it actually works. If it doesn't, I'm just going to sell a kidney and buy the real deal .

http://www.flickr.com/photos/hotrodg...7620656927526/

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looks good, jay!

as far as fabric, i know that there are some pretty light, pretty sheer, very wide, white nylon/dacrons used for sails...

might be $$$ though.

Originally Posted by ride5000

looks good, jay!

as far as fabric, i know that there are some pretty light, pretty sheer, very wide, white nylon/dacrons used for sails...

might be $$$ though.

Badass, just what I needed. We'll see how it goes. If it's the sux0rs I'll just scrap it. It only takes about 10 minutes to put together though which is kind of cool.

Maybe consider putting cross braces in the frame so that you can stretch it nice and tight without flexing it?

Originally Posted by cdvma

Maybe consider putting cross braces in the frame so that you can stretch it nice and tight without flexing it?

Well I thought about that but I have a fear you'll be able to see the X braces behind the white. Especially if you're going to be popping a flash inside.

When I put the straps and buckles to pull it tight it's going to be pulled from the front towards the back along the 8 support 2ft brackets so hopefully that will work. Could also add a few more supports around the frame now that I think about it and would cut down on the long flexing pieces.

You don't have to add the supports behind the front fabric element. Put it along the backside in a + symbol and then have short, diagonal pieces (something like 30* angle) from the front 1/2 way points to the cross braces. If the lights are where I think they are, those shouldn't show up in the photo.