DIY Soft Box for $7

Here's how to make your own soft box for just $7 (the cost of the diffusion) and some cardboard!
I use a "251 Quarter White" diffusion. This is the 500 light LED panel in the video is no longer available.
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[@sulatlalaki]

Parchment paper for your diffuser...either that or buy a translucent shower curtain liner, if needed, but it's heavier. You can also adhere your aluminum foil using a spray adhesive like Elmer's, which is fantastic: spray on your cardboard and smooth your pre-cut foil into place. No tape binding up as you pull it out!

[@savannabrewton9566]

love these ideas! I decided to shoot headshots last minute so I don't have time for a softbox to arrive, making my own tonight!

[@LeoTV100]

Baking paper works just fine. Now you can do it for under 7 bucks.

[@DustFilmsOriginals]

Leo Ferus That's a good idea!

[@DiegoJordanA]

Leo Ferus I was gonna ask cuz at least for me living in Bolivia, the whole point of DIY is because there is nothing like home depot or a photography store. So baking paper works? awesome thought it could burn because of the heat.

[@filmogenics5861]

Diego Jordán theres a reason its called baking paper

[@LeoTV100]

Yeah, i've been using softbox with baking paper since the last winter and it works perfect.

[@DiegoJordanA]

Filmogenics hahahaha you're right, in spanish it's called "butter paper" and even though Im reading it in english, I'm thinking in spanish I guess, and it sounds like "butter" paper could melt, LOL, thnx for the info.

[@Yomi-san]

As someone who is kitting out a home studio as inexpensively as possible this is great. Thanks!

[@Phillip_Schultz]

7 years later and still such a great video. As evergreen as it gets, Dustin!

[@PunchNugget]

One of the best straight to point videos I’ve watched on this tutorial. Thanks for the solid speaking and just showing what you did. Subscribed

[@DustFilmsOriginals]

Thanks!

[@clayerickson567]

Good instruction video. VERY misleading cost estimate.

[@gretarorri]

Thanx for the great soft box idea... I just made mine out of two Cheerios boxes with your design for the parts, used glossy silver paper as lining, white vellum paper to soften the light and velcro to fasten the box to my light :) Looking forward to use it for my next video 👍🏻

[@Thepromisedplaces]

Thank you for this great idea, I really appreciate it,😊

[@GirlyGirlz]

WOW.. Great idea! So simple, inexpensive and so clear and easy to understand and you speak so well on camera. What most viewers don't realize, is how extremely challenging it is to produce a tutorial like this one, with all of the details that are necessary to complete this entire project. Trimming out all of the fat from the video when editing AND filming AND bringing to us viewers a 5 minute video. Can't express enough how extremely challenging this is to do. I mean, I can't even keep my comment under 5 minutes to read. lol Excellent job Dustin! I wish you all the success with your channel that you deserve. Thanks for the vid!

[@ucheucheuche]

Great ideas. I'm gonna build a smaller one tonight. Shops are always throwing away cardboard boxes. What I'll do different: Use Velcro to attach the diffuser - so I can switch strengths and colours. Fasten 1 edge of box with Velcro instead of tape - so it can close flat for travel. Thanks.

[@adrianeden6261]

I dont mean to be offtopic but does anybody know a method to get back into an Instagram account..? I was stupid lost the login password. I love any tricks you can give me

[@kierandaxton2597]

@Adrian Eden Instablaster =)

[@adrianeden6261]

@Kieran Daxton I really appreciate your reply. I got to the site through google and im in the hacking process now. Takes quite some time so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@adrianeden6261]

@Kieran Daxton it did the trick and I now got access to my account again. I'm so happy! Thanks so much you saved my account :D

[@kierandaxton2597]

@Adrian Eden no problem :)

[@strawhatrore2072]

Outstanding. Can’t wait to give it a go! I like that this method allows for a lot of creativity on the part of the viewer when they use their own lights too!

[@michelle_ajema]

Best softbox DIY tut ever! Simple and really affordable. Trying it out soon. Greetings from Kenya! Dustin McLean

[@Sushihunter250]

Instead of using tin foil inside your soft box, try painting with flat white paint. It will reflect more light than the tinfoil and you won't get hot spots where it reflects off the shiny foil.

[@tcornacchione7481]

Thanks for the tips Dustin! I had googled DIY light boxes and clicked a link to you before I realized it was you. Keep up the good work!

[@thelostgentleman5096]

I saw this video 2 years ago and have been looking for it since. Thanks a bunch for this DIY trick! I will try this!

[@850Tech]

lots of companies will go out of order with mates like you man. That thing you made was awesome . !

[@oziermuhammad2488]

This is very ingenious and frugal. Thanks Dustin!

[@reloadersjournal]

Right, $7 for the diffusion material and probably about $200 in tape. Don't forget the shrink and med fees after you drive yourself insane trying to build this softbox! Oh OK, it's a great idea, I'm just jealous because I didn't think of it. Great video and thanks for sharing it! :P

[@TheRealestIdealist]

LMFAOOOO!!!!! 🔥:)

[@sslatt04]

This is great, thanks! A very thorough tutorial that I will try. However, velcro is not cheap so that really should be reflected in your cost as most people don't have that readily available.

[@DustFilmsOriginals]

That's true I should've included it although it's probably $2 or so for a pack. Which I used very little of. :)

You can get the defusion foil out from the old LCD or LED tv from the scrap-yard recycling center :) It is in every LCD/LED TV.

[@evolvedentertainment9623]

Super helpful! Thank you Dustin :)

[@fotowalo]

if you take some diffusion-material from the dys store it costs even less......and it works great, I use it for my lights since years als 2x1m big diffusers even in studio !

[@AndrewConfident]

awesome vid! I have the same Led panel

[@DuncanAppleby]

I just made this for my tiny 150-LED panel! Still missing a gel and some paint, but the gel is on its way, and I'll be getting hold of some paint in the next couple of days!

[@P10strings]

I appreciate the video. When I have time, i plan on doing this. The LED lights I have don't have a good softbox that fits and the one that a third party has created is way too expensive for what it is. Thanks again.

[@jennchoii]

thank you so much for sharing this video! I needed a soft box and they're soooo expensive!

[@BrianLife]

Great idea! Maybe use Velcro’s for the strong part also. Cool!

[@NickNCC]

omg everyone is freaking out cause it's a little over $7. That's still nothing. Great video @Dustin thanks for sharing your creativity.

[@brianlink391]

DollorTree foamboard would have worked better with some tape and hot glue :-)

[@dadsworkshopbykipplabrie7982]

Dude, thanks for sharing, the DIY soft box worked great! Just testing the waters with my new Canon M50 and because of your video I finally got the photo I was searching for. All in all I was able to stay under $50. I purchased a cheap Walmart LED work light for $40 and amazon diffusion sheet for $10 just liked you mentioned. This gave me a better idea what to upgrade to in the future. Thanks for sharing and thanks for your time. #LexusTech

[@DustFilmsOriginals]

Glad it helped!

[@thealismusic6506]

Very very veryyyyyyy nice man ... loved it

[@divinodayacap3313]

saw the piano and guitars.... SUBSCRIBED

[@mertalia1837]

Me: puts wax paper on my desk lamp

[@juntjoonunya9216]

A demo to show what the thing can do would have been nice. Now I gotta guess what size light and box to put together

[@justinjrebbert]

I guess this is fine for making stuff to use in a studio. Not so much for portability, for photos in someone’s home or workplace or wherever anywhere else outside of your own studio.

[@MarilisProductions]

You're a life (and wallet) saver!

[@DustFilmsOriginals]

Marilis Morales Glad to help!

[@paperbagman7934]

Cool .I'll be using this in my future videos.

[@DustFilmsOriginals]

I'd love to see pictures if you build one!@DustFilms on Instagram and Twitter

[@itsAjobi]

looks pretty easy ! great video!

[@sirromiori8843]

Best video by far

[@DustFilmsOriginals]

@RockyBalboa99(You have to enable google+ on your account for me to reply to your comment!) I'm just barely working on the props and wardrobe and we won't be shooting it for several weeks then it will probably take several more weeks to complete after that. So don't hold your breathe for that one :)

[@vrvlogs4372]

Dustin McLean bosdeke

[@sunnyneonraye1459]

fun fact: If you can jerryrig it together, a naked bulb on a lamp throws enough light for general video making purposes when enclosed o by a white surface in the same shape as a soft box . Just be careful of the shape you use. I attempted to enclose the light in a white laundry basket that was balanced on a chair. It was a recipe for disaster, really. The light actually worked great, but the basket toppled off and I nearly broke my light. Oops. You may need a stronger LED if you want to light a larger area, but generally desktop lamps (Like the ones that look like lampy from Pixar) cand do the trick.

[@zitlalyalvarez7013]

Thank you for shearing this DIY with us

[@SchardtCinematic]

I also read about using a cheap thin white shower curtain liner as well

[@no.9skits72]

Nice video! I'm gonna use it in my next skit

[@JGDeRuvo]

Great job, Dustin!

[@mangofish69]

I'm thinking that wax paper might work as a diffuser

[@razisharbini7569]

If not mistaken, flat white spray paint would be more reflective on the inside.

[@trishlindstrom251]

Fantastic! Thank-you!!!

[@retardboy1165]

If you want, pick a couple different diffusions, tape the edges and add velcro tabs to the corners and middles. Give you a few more options of lighting control. And a possible LCD in the future to control.

[@kidzdreamland4257]

thanks bro !! very useful info's, saved my money and time..

[@HectorMerced]

Bravo. Great video and even greater DIY. Congratulations.

[@flexor212000]

Nice job sharing this kind of info!

[@BlackCat_2]

That's pretty awesome and I am going to have to try that. :) I have two small lights for taking photos of my creations. This probably won't even cost $7 for me unless I have to buy that size sheet in which case it will but that would be okay too. :) - Heidi

[@nana-ld4cr]

dude! so cool. Thank you

Will it catch on fire if I'll use it with 300w Monolight? :D

[@jordanmorris1126]

I think it would be a good idea to put some Velcro strips in the back so that you don't have to tie anything. And it would be a lot easier.

[@radoslavio]

How everyone who builds this DIY soft boxes don't show comparasyn of before and after using soft box on face or any object. It would be nice to see it.

[@SammyTraff]

Thanks Man this is great advice

[@drutgat2]

Many thanks for this.

[@MrCAHD]

Great video. Love the idea. just curious what the angle of the edges & the depth of the soft box are?

[@gypsyjane6352]

Well... not really $7 now is it...

[@Reborndollrollplay3456]

brilliant thank you

[@stevenbriggs168]

Very helpful! Thank you :)

[@danielmdev]

thanks :D, really apreciate that!

[@arashchitgar7445]

thanks for this great DIY 🙏🙏

[@MakeupMobster]

I bet you can use that press and seal Saran Wrap stuff instead of that light filter cloth and get the same effect and use an LED Work light from hardbor freight and then it would be even cheaper!

[@CanalFactoide]

Thanks! I will make this today!

[@AnishKaranPhotography]

You light would have had more output if you had wrinkled the aluminium foil before attaching it inside.

[@Ladywrip]

+Anish Karan I was thinking the same thing. But all-N-all this is a pretty neat idea, that I will definitely be trying:-)

[@DustFilmsOriginals]

+Anish Karan That's a great idea

[@raquelgoldstein5278]

Dustin McLean how much was the light?

[@CullanAndTravis]

this is cool. but I decided just to buy a small £20 one and use a cheaper led light...do you think it matters?

[@LeathurRokk]

I still have no light. I had a tallish floor lamp with an array of 4 ,4 inch fluorescent bulbs.The wire musta bent, it does not light.I need to get it restrung but thanks to COVID 19 its not safe for any friend to visit to pick it up and do it and I sure cannot afford an electrician. What I really need is a ring light, and I need a floodlight to hit my back wall.I am a KZbinr and often I do beauty videos.I have a harsh overhead fluorescent light which consists of 4, approx. 3 feet long, skinny fluorescent tubes.It is fairly straight overhead at my typical studio filming area but i also had a little lamp my cat knocked over and the glass bulb shattered so I need to buy a new bulb. At least THOSE I can buy at the 99 cent store.That light somewhat helped me have light on either side of my face.But now the light is so bad in my room my videos suck light wise.YOU try doing a makeup tutorial on the beach for light.Sometimes i get THAT light wrong too.One time the sun was behind me and I did not realise til i saw my video, that my face was totally dark.This is still NOT a cheap investment. And thanks to COVID 19 i am hardly working at all.Grrrr. PS ring lights are obscenely expensive!Even wish.com wants 80 some bcks for them and always they charge shipping.Grrrrrr.I can't afford this!

[@ProfessioneVideomaker]

very well done, but the point is: i will have a fragile sofbox (being in cardboard), no possible to disassemble it, so very bulky. I have to buy the tripods apart. On ebay for 80 euros i can have a disassemblable couple of lightbox, including 8 cold light bulbs and 2 tripods, and the bag, shipment included.....

[@SamAdamFreeman]

very simple and awesome !

[@mynameiskranz]

i like the idea, subscribed!!

[@cottoncandyallstars3684]

🍬🌟🍬we love diy protects,great job!!🍬🌟🍬

[@AyeshaNoelle]

Great video!!

[@VeltisAngel]

Amazing DIY!!!

[@Yuzukhane]

instead of tying the whole thing, there could be opposite velcros on the light and box so that they'll attach. just maybe.

[@tindle438]

Awesome idea

[@Rosina57NZ]

Great, I'm going to make one.

[@mario619siz]

Okay, so I have a lamp that had a ring light in it along with a regular bulb. The ring light broke but the bulb works and I wanted to just wrap about a quarter of the lamp in a white sheet and tape it with electrical tape for this kind of look. With the bulb I have it doesn't produce a lot of heat (I can touch it with it on and not get burnt) I don't think it would catch fire do you think this can work? Should I use a different kind of material? I want a soft box look but sadly I'm broke. :( I've seen someone use an umbrella to cover his light and another person used some kind of plastic any ideas?

[@rvchrono]

Nice Tutorial, there is only one thing I miss ... how do I know how big the "box" itself has to be? not everyone uses the same lights for example use circular ones and have a hard time figuring out how to do build it ^^

[@DustFilmsOriginals]

+rvchrono Yeah I'm not sure, you'd just have to measure your light and build from there.

[@karabomahlong9368]

Aaaaah he got the velcro !!

[@kronk358]

$7 if you already have cardboard, gaff tape, velcro, hot glue and a hot glue gun, aluminum foil, flat black spray paint, and some string. Or as I call it: around $30.

[@coralindabisignano6821]

newbie youtuber here! Loved your video on softbox diy. I actually happened upon another video that was really great, and just wanted to ask since im unsure how to proceed. I am about to start creating your soft box. the other youtuber suggested using a fitted white sheet for a baby mattress covering pvc pipe. So these are both can easily be broken down when not in use. I wanted to ask if I could potentiall use the sheet as a diffuser for the light, and maybe just design the back part (the cardboard portion of your light box) and combine the two? Do you think this would be possible? thanks in advance!

[@DustFilmsOriginals]

I feel like a sheet would just kill too much of the light, it might be very dim. But if it was thin enough it’s worth a try!

[@SanghamitraGautam]

how do you plan to make this stand? btw your video is really helpfull for me. thanks :)

[@romansten9]

I would just use cloth around a rigid frame. The cloth wouldnt need to be painted, its lighter than cardboard and would pack up into a tiny container. faster, easier, lighter, portable and better!

[@orange-teeth1074]

wouldn't the cardboard catch on fire when the light gets too hot?

[@ValsReview]

Great Video thanks

[@cornerstoneproductio]

Great Job!!

[@isaj6055]

Great job!!!

[@tcn_hamo4522]

Good idea

[@TheDudeCubed]

thanks this really helped

[@adetayoscottyadegbola9633]

Thanks for sharing. i really found this very useful. I just want to ask can we use a tracing paper in the place of the 251 quarter diffusion white.

[@DustFilmsOriginals]

scotty adegbola I actually haven't experimented with how much light "normal" papers let through, but it's certainly worth a try. Someone else suggested wax paper. My only concern would be that yes it will illuminate but very little light will come through so it will be dim. But tracing paper IS pretty thin so it's hard to say. Let me know if you try it!

[@Kazzzzzo]

Very good. I would use elastic bands and hooks instead of ropes, but anyway, very informative! ;)

[@curiosity2314]

Excellent!

[@hangingoutwithronwalters4505]

Wow! Alright! Thank you, Thank you!!!

[@JonMoralesLA]

Great effort but my god I think it would be cheaper to buy one when you factor the time and how fragile that thing will be.

[@DustFilmsOriginals]

Jon Morales Not really, it certainly doesn't make it cheaper. This took a few hours and I've never had a problem with it being fragile. I put it on the light and take it off, not much else to it. If anything I'd say just clipping the filter to the light is a way better solution than a soft box at all, I've been finding I do that more often.

[@DelhiHipHop]

Would something like this also work with 1000w halogen lights ? These lights tend heat up pretty quickly, would the cardboard or frost gel not catch fire ?

[@d2an3i]

DelhiHipHop its all about led these days

[@MatchTVdance]

Thanks man !

[@kathaschmidt6063]

I like your cheap softbox. My only nagitve point for it is, its not so transportable...for documentary I often travel...so I like to develope a foldable oftbox

[@diogoavila1552]

Legend video to Brazil please!