Light Boxes vs. Softboxes and Light Tents
Should I buy a light tent or a light box? This article will point out the differences to determine what the user can expect from each solution.
Working Definitions:
A light box consists of four solid walls, has multiple lights built inside the enclosure and offers the user the ability to take pictures from the top and side.
A light tent or softbox is typically made of fabric supported by a square or rectangular frame. The lights sit outside the enclosure and are typically sold separate or as a bundle. Pictures can typically only be taken from the side.
Cost
A softbox or light tent is less expensive than a light box, however the money saved in the beginning may not justify the costs associated with producing each image over the long-term. In general, with a light tent, more time will be spent on adjusting light position and image editing. With a light box you can expect to pay more in the beginning, but spend less time and effort on each image.
Image Quality
Professional photographs are the result of controlled lighting. Light tents and softboxes tout light 'diffusion', however there are many ways to diffuse light. Light tents often diffuse light in a random manner (the fabric has no specific angular quality) whereas some light boxes can diffuse light in a structured manner to create a uniform lighting environment. Diffusion, however, is only one element of a well-controlled lighting environment. In addition to proper diffusion, a light box will typically offer the right type, position and intensity of light. A light box is a calculated, unchanging environment that generates consistent results. A good light box will optimize and eliminate many of the variables associated with taking an excellent picture. A softbox or light tent requires the user to have specific photography and lighting experience and knowledge.
Shooting Angles
A light box is capable of taking pictures from the top and side while a lot of light tents and softboxes are limited to taking pictures from the side due to the soft-sided nature of the enclosure.
Image Editing
Because of the thought and mathematics used to create a light box, they are capable of generating shadow-free images that need little editing. Because the lighting is controlled, a higher degree of color fidelity and consistency can be expected. Because light tents fail to control many of the important variables, an inexperienced photographer will create images that need more editing and color fidelity and consistency from picture to picture will be a large concern.
Speed
A light box turns on with a flick of the switch and is ready with consistent lighting, time after time. Photography in a light tent involves adjusting several variables for each picture and it's human nature to want to take a 'perfect' shot each time, so a lot of time is spent tweaking. A light box can be a standardized production tool that results in efficient and profitable picture taking.
Backgrounds and Masking
Both solutions generate images that have off white backgrounds when shooting on a white. This is unavoidable. The difference lies in how easy it will be to correct the background. Since light tents often generate harsh shadows and non-uniform light, the object will be more difficult to remove from its background using software. Light boxes are capable of producing uniform, shadow-free images and thus it's much easier to replace the background with pure white in Photoshop or some other program.
Consistency
Softboxes and light tents offer little consistency from shot to shot over time. Each time the lights move, different results will be generated. With a light box, most of the variables are fixed. Taking a picture of an item today or six months from now will generate the same results.
Cameras
Either solution can use any camera.
Mobility
A light tent / softbox is typically more mobile than a light box, but there are newer models of light boxes specifically designed for mobility.
In summary: A light box costs more but provides better image quality with less effort per picture. A light box is easier to use, gives the user more flexibility regarding shooting angles and offers much more consistency between shots over time.
Softboxes and light tents are typically more mobile and cost less but result in more work (adjusting and editing) per picture. In order to take a good picture, they require the user to have specific lighting and photography knowledge.
Ortery Technologies offers a full line of office photography and image automation tools including PC-controlled photography studios, stand-alone light boxes, 360-degree and spherical product photography solutions. To learn more about our products click here. We hope this information is useful to you when making your photography workflow decisions.