The last two posts have been about the construction of my new light box that was intended to make pictures of my needle felted sculptures come out brighter and clearer. The following contains the results of the experiment, as well as some observations.
If I did this again, I might use velcro. Though, I do kind of like the loops. I can add or remove fabric without straining it like the velcro would, as it’s pretty weak. My panels are set up in such a way that the top is a separate, removable panel, as is the front. The sides are attached so that the left or the right can be unhooked without the back falling off too.
I’d also probably use a different fabric. This was on sale and reflective, so it works nicely. Cotton would’ve been much easier to deal with though, and faster to sew. I still need a second color for an additional background (so pesky shepherds and sheep will show up better), but for now, it is finished.
Here is the finished box, sitting on top of a sheet, since the carpet is rather dark and shows up through the bottom. I’ll have to tweak that later too.
Finished should mean that all my pictures automatically turn out perfectly and look amazing!
No such luck.
In fact, the first picture I took in the completed light box was dismal.
My light box is apparently too lazy to do all the work for me.
Lots of additional research on my camera and light boxes later, I started getting better pictures. The ones of the manger came out leagues better than what I was getting before.
Yesterday evening, I discovered that for a lot of the figures, I actually get even better pictures if I use the light box without lights. Some things, like the manger above, need the lights, but others apparently don’t.
Buying the lights wasn’t a waste though, since I can use them at night. I’ve also been using them while I felt, so I can actually see! Novel concept.
Below is my current setup. Until I need the lights again, this is faster (and easier to walk around, as there are no longer cords and lamps taking over the entire floor).
Now that I actually have pictures I like from the light box, I don’t feel like the time-consuming project was a failure. 🙂 It was more complicated than it needed to be, but lots of things I do are that way. 😉 It’s a gift!
Below are a few other pictures, just because I like them. They were all taken in the light box, except the apron. That was made in January, as my first sewing project in 18 years, and is just here to prove I can actually sew. 😛
I also took a lot of really fun pictures of something else in the box, but I can’t post them on here yet, because it’s my mom’s birthday present (insert torture here). 🙂
The End!
single bound? The newest addition to Coon Capers can!
instruments, people actually from this century, seated people, and people with legs (which I guess isn’t technically new, since I just figured out how to do that for my Pilgrims and Indians this past Fall).
made a raccoon guitar player and a vampire raccoon guitar player.
had to be able to sit on a bench that would be provided by the client – in Ireland! Did I mention that part? Anyway, I experimented with making someone seated (with legs), and I think he came out pretty well for a seated blob.
Treble Lizard Designs 