Making a Milk Jug Lightbox

tomogui · **Posted:** Sat Apr 28, 2012 1:23 pm

Hi One Ringers!

I saw this article over on the Privateer Press forums, and I thought I'd share it here. I've seen quite a few people on One Ring who have some nicely-painted models, but their photos seem to be letting them down. This seems to be a good cheap (or free) way to lift your mini-photo abilities.

Here's the article: http://privateerpressforums.com/showthread.php?104495-Milk-Jug-Lightbox

simmuskhan · **Posted:** Wed May 02, 2012 9:42 am

Hey, thanks for that, works a treat!
I did just a quick slap-bang job on it tonight and posted the results on the blog:
http://simbattleboard.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/milk-jug-light-box-and-last-troll.html
I've always suffered from over-bright shots so this was really helpful!
Cheers!
Sim.

tomogui · **Posted:** Wed May 02, 2012 1:15 pm

Glad you got some use out of it, Sim! That last Etako pic on your blog is truly excellent; you got the brightness just right, I think.

Having mucked around with this plastic milk jug technique a bit now, I think having multiple light sources (hitting from different directions) is the key to eliminating any weird shadows. Looking forward to seeing more pics of your minis.

(I tried leaving a comment on the blog, but it wouldn't let me. Oh well.)

Drumstick · **Joined:** Sat Sep 19, 2009 8:57 am **Posts:** 1223

That's a fantastic technique there, I shall be sure to use that for my next miniature photo. Thank you for this!

Telchar · **Posted:** Sun May 13, 2012 9:49 am

I'll try this as soon as I get myself a plastic jug of milk. Thanks!

polarbird2 · **Posted:** Sun May 27, 2012 2:32 pm

thats a great idea, im off to drink all the milk now!

DoctorW · **Posted:** Mon Mar 18, 2013 11:54 am

Great thing!

nice way to save some money.

I found some of "mini studios" on internet that you could buy for 30-60 euros.
Is it ok to post links? (new on forum, so don't know rules)

SidTheSloth · **Posted:** Mon Mar 18, 2013 12:00 pm

Utterly brilliant these things... now I use one for all of my miniatures photos and it's a great improvement.

Rangefinder · **Posted:** Mon Mar 18, 2013 1:23 pm

Great information, this is an easy to get quality photographs!
Highly recommended method.

ste271276 · **Posted:** Mon Mar 18, 2013 5:57 pm

Nice link

Azog · **Posted:** Wed May 22, 2013 10:02 pm

Great Idea this - I assume the container is acting as a simple diffuser.
If you can use a day-light bulb the colours will come out better too compared to other artifical sources.

Highlordell · **Posted:** Fri May 24, 2013 8:23 pm

Brilliant idea, thanks for sharing!
It's these little touches that are easy and cheap but make the end result of all your painting so much more satisfying that we should look out for.

Make sure you post any more ideas if you see them!

ste271276 · **Posted:** Sat May 25, 2013 7:35 pm

awesome, just what I need

Dorthonion · **Posted:** Wed Jun 05, 2013 7:38 am

The ingenuity of people never ceases to amaze me. The only problem I can see for me is that my painting is pants compared to that of many of the people around here and this would just highlight the flaws even more

Old eyes... old age...
But that is no excuse for all painting competition entrants NOT to use this method or something similar. I keep badgering people about letting themselves down with dark or blurred photos. Digital cameras mean you can shoot and shoot again until you get a decent image. Get a mini tripod or a beanbag to steady the camera or phone. Use a daylight bulb if you can or else do a colour correction in a photo-editing application.

Bilbo · **Posted:** Sun Jun 09, 2013 9:51 pm

Thats incredible! Thanks for the tip. I really can't wait to have a go.

starthehobbit · **Posted:** Sun Sep 15, 2013 12:04 am

so cool too bad I don't drink a lot of milk

Son of Éomund · **Posted:** Wed Sep 25, 2013 3:43 pm

Great idea! I will need to make one of these to provide some form of light for my pictures this winter. Considering the only time I have to work on my miniatures is during the evening.

madfrog2000 · **Joined:** Wed Jan 23, 2013 5:07 am **Posts:** 179

Awesome idea will be trying this once I get a milk bottle like that. (My milk bottles have Triple layer design which stops all light... silly milk company over here.)

Bilbo · **Posted:** Sat Dec 07, 2013 4:34 am

Mt word, this thread keeps coming back to life, but on the other hand it has seriously useful information so I don't object!

jscottbowman · **Posted:** Thu Mar 20, 2014 1:13 am

That's rather nifty, I may give that a whirl...

Making a Milk Jug Lightbox

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