User Guide: Photo Tent and LED Light Box - ESSDI Photo Studio Light Box

Photo tent

Description

Take professional looking photos of projects, product images, and more using the light box.


What We Provide - Makerspace Equipment & Materials

Makerspace equipment is free to use, but there is a cost for project materials and items. We provide the following:

  • 20" light box with adjustable brightness
  • 4 backdrops (black, white, gray, or tan)
  • Phone/tablet clamp


What You Must Bring - Materials & Items

To use this equipment, you must bring the following:

  • Camera, smartphone, or tablet
  • Camera tripod (if applicable)
  • Items to photograph


Learn

Videos:
- ESDDI Shooting Tent Review
- How to Use a Lightbox for Product Filming and Photography
- LinkedIn Learning offers video tutorials on photography skills and related software. Bloomingdale Public Library card required.
App Access: Click "Sign in". Click “Sign in with your library card”. Enter the library ID bloomingdale. Click continue, and then enter your BPL library card number and PIN.

In-Person - Book-A-Maker Appointment:
- Book-A-Maker appointments are one-on-one instructional sessions to learn how to use a specific piece of Makerspace equipment. After your appointment, you'll have the knowledge and experience necessary to independently work on our equipment during Makerspace Open Use Hours. They are not meant to use the Makerspace outside of Open Use Time hours.
- Book-A-Maker Appointments are open to Bloomingdale Public Library cardholders only. To make an appointment, fill out the online form. SAME DAY OR NEXT DAY APPOINTMENTS MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE. Please allow at least 2 business days for a reply.
- If you're unable to make your appointment, please email or call the staff member who contacted you. If you have multiple broken appointments without notice, staff will not accommodate future Book-A-Maker requests.


Tips

The following tips are from the Raychristofer YouTube video review:

  • The daylight balance for this light box is 5500 K. If possible, adjust the white balance on your camera or device.
  • The LEDs are adjustable brightness.
  • If shooting from the front, keep one flap closed to increase reflection on the object.
  • There is an opening on top of the box for taking overhead shots.
  • For larger objects, light shining from above will cast shadows, which will give poorer photo results.
  • When taking the photo, make sure that the corners are not in the image.


Reserve

Equipment reservations are recommended. Walk-ins during Open Use Time are welcome, but equipment availability is not guaranteed.

  • Reservation limit of 2 hours per day max.
  • Limit one reservation allowed per day.
  • Reservation requests can be made up to 7 days in advance.
  • All reservation requests are on a first-come, first-served basis.

To make a reservation, first check our Makerspace Equipment Calendar for equipment availability. If the equipment is not reserved, please call the Adult Reference Desk at 630-924-2730 to make a reservation. Please have the following ready:

  • Your full name
  • Your Bloomingdale Public Library card number
  • Equipment you want to reserve
  • Preferred date(s)/time(s)