How to make a collapsible white studio for macro photography

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I have left out dimensions because I am sharing the idea on how to build it, rather than as a blueprint. Adapt the size to the type of subject you are shooting. The principles of the construction are clear from the video, decide on your own dimensions. This one is about 25 cm sq. x 30 cm high, so it works well with a single small flash. Larger boxes may give better diffusion, but will also need a larger (or multiple) flashes.

This white studio is based on the cardboard box that Alex Wild once used (scienceblogs.com/photosynthesis/2009/04/photo_t…) for some of his white studio bug shots. I built this so that I would have one that was small, field-ready, and tough enough to stuff in my backpack.

What I did not record in this video is that I reinforced all folds in the Coroplast with clear duct tape. If you are just using this in the home, you could substitute white foam core for the Coroplast. It is not as durable, but you will avoid the lines that sometimes show through. For most subjects, the lines are easy to clean-up in Lightroom, but it is simpler to just add a sheet of paper or white perspex to avoid it.

Of course, this box would also be useful for photographing products for eBay, or to make individual records of a coin collection etc, etc.

In some photos lines from the Coroplast

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