New light box assessment???

[pacifiChrono]

Hey guys,

I just put together a new cheap light box and tried it out. I would appreciate some feedback.

First I bought a 15-quart translucent storage bin like the one below. I found some white tissue paper used for gift-wrapping and taped two plies around the inside of the bin. I then used one of my two 500W halogen work lights (see photo below) placed on the left side of the bin.

The subject was my 1948 Hamilton Barton.

Does it seem like there’s still too much direct light coming through? The second pose was basically done at two exposures. I’d like to have more overall light without glare from one side. Of course I could add the second work light on the right, but would that just result in more glare? Maybe I need to add a white sheet or garbage bag or something on the outside. (I think some of the light showing on the crystal in the first pose is from the tissue paper in front of the watch, plus the window behind me! Guess I should close the blinds.)

What do you think? TIA!

[JBHII]

That 2nd shot seems 'bout perfect to me. Even with the right light box (and the set up you describe sounds nearly identical to mine) you still need to fiddle with the placement of the lamps, and the use of reflector cards to get the perfect stage. Those shop lights can be pretty harsh....try pulling them away a bit, or mix in some 10.00 desk lamps equiped with photographic light bulbs.

[Houston]

The second pic is good Mr Chrono. Perhaps you could tone it down a touch on the 7 o'clock side of the watch.

MHO and worth considerably less than what you paid for it.

Cheers

ZIN

[pacifiChrono]

admin said:

That 2nd shot seems 'bout perfect to me. Even with the right light box (and the set up you describe sounds nearly identical to mine) you still need to fiddle with the placement of the lamps, and the use of reflector cards to get the perfect stage. Those shop lights can be pretty harsh....try pulling them away a bit, or mix in some 10.00 desk lamps equiped with photographic light bulbs.

I got the idea of the tissue paper from you, John. Don't know exactly what you mean by "reflector cards." ??

[JBHII]

pacifichrono said:

admin said:

That 2nd shot seems 'bout perfect to me. Even with the right light box (and the set up you describe sounds nearly identical to mine) you still need to fiddle with the placement of the lamps, and the use of reflector cards to get the perfect stage. Those shop lights can be pretty harsh....try pulling them away a bit, or mix in some 10.00 desk lamps equiped with photographic light bulbs.

I got the idea of the tissue paper from you, John. Don't know exactly what you mean by "reflector cards." ??

A "reflector card" or "white card" is anything from a big piced of white poster board to a piece of white printer paper that you hold up in front of the watch to "bounce" light where you need it.

[JP]

Those are fantastic shots!!! Very nice'n'dressy Hamilton too.

[Houston]

Makes me feel ashamed I haven't put a light box together yet

Great work Mr Chrono

Best wishes

ZIN

[GJ]

cafezinfandel said:

Makes me feel ashamed I haven't put a light box together yet

Great work Mr Chrono

Best wishes

ZIN

That makes two of us Zinster.....

Kind regards,
Gerard

[pacifiChrono]

admin said:

A "reflector card" or "white card" is anything from a big piced of white poster board to a piece of white printer paper that you hold up in front of the watch to "bounce" light where you need it.

A-h-h-h, now I see!