rplain1 wrote:
It is a Godox lightbox 33x33x33 with LED lighting. What I am dissatisfied with is mostly the lack of flexibility of the backdrop. The clips will not hold it in place. There is some reflection from the surface which I can get rid of in Photoshop but I would just like to replace it with a piece of fabric if possible. I photograph various objects for still life photography (not for product sales). I don't need diffusion material - the LED lighting is fine. It is just the background I am concerned about.
It is a Godox lightbox 33x33x33 with LED lighting.... (
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The concept of a lightbox is based on a fixed lighting effect, generally, on an item "floating" on a white or solid small cyclorama kinda background. If the light source is external to the box, you will have some control of directionality whereas if it is built into the box, there will be less, if any and fine control. A degree of diffusion is usually designed into the box, especially if the light passes through the box from an external source.
In a small confined space with the interior surfaces are made of white or metallic reflective material, the light bounces off all the inner surfaces of the box and much of this bounce light will strike the background from various angles that will reveal its texture. Unwanted reflections from the background and possibly the item being photographed will be beyond control because you have no control over the angle of increase. With all that light bouncing around in the box, you can not isolate the background in order to lighten or darken it independently of the subject. There is no enough space to facilitate the use of a gobo or flag to keep light off the background, especially the kind of side lighting that reveals texture and defects in fabrics.
So, you end up trying to correct those unwanted reflections and background details in post-processing which is tedious and usually not all that effective.
Control over background rendition is also influenced by the distance between the subject item and the background, the degree of depth of field or lack thereof. There is not sufficient space in the bix to fully manipulate all the elements.
Solution- GET OUT OF THE BOX! The box is fine for what it intended and designed for a quick system for a simple shot of an item in a solid, usually white, background. It is no difficult to create a mini-studio type setup with your LED lig source, some diffusion material and a few reflectors. You can aim the light(s) strategically to control modelling, reflection control and background rendition. A softbox modifier fitted to your light source and a few homemade reflectors can do the job.
Yet another approach could be to construct a simple cyclorama type light table made of white Plexiglas wh can be transilluminated with white or coloured light to create your backgrounds.
If you continue to use the lightbox but are dissatisfied with its construction as to the background support, you will have to consider some modification or improvisation to shore up the frame and add some clips or other fasteners to hold materials in place.
It does no matter if your photography is for commercial product illustration or strictly for artistic still-life work. Understanding the principles of light control will be beneficial.
I hope this helps.