A lightbox is a

translucent In the field of optics, transparency (also called pellucidity or diaphaneity) is the physical property of allowing light to pass through the material without appreciable light scattering by particles, scattering of light. On a macroscopic scale ...

surface illuminated from behind, used for situations where a shape laid upon the surface needs to be seen with high contrast.

Types

Several varieties exist, depending on their purpose: * Various backlit viewing devices: ** A container with several lightbulbs and a pane of

frosted glass Frosted glass is produced by the sandblasting or acid Glass etching, etching of clear sheet glass. This creates a pitted surface on one side of the glass pane and has the effect of rendering the glass translucent by scattering the light which ...

on the top. It is used by photography professionals viewing transparent films, such as slides. This device was originally used to sort

photographic plate Photographic plates preceded film as the primary medium for capturing images in photography. These plates, made of metal or glass and coated with a light-sensitive emulsion, were integral to early photographic processes such as heliography, d ...

s with ease. When laid flat, it may be called a light table. Generally, a lightbox uses light similar to

daylight Daylight is the combination of all direct and indirect sunlight during the daytime. This includes direct sunlight, diffuse sky radiation, and (often) both of these reflected by Earth and terrestrial objects, like landforms and buildings. Sunlig ...

(5,000–6,000

kelvin The kelvin (symbol: K) is the base unit for temperature in the International System of Units (SI). The Kelvin scale is an absolute temperature scale that starts at the lowest possible temperature (absolute zero), taken to be 0 K. By de ...

s (K)) and has uniform light strength on the glass pane. **In the form of vertical panels, they can also be found mounted on the walls of hospitals and medical offices to review

X-ray An X-ray (also known in many languages as Röntgen radiation) is a form of high-energy electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength shorter than those of ultraviolet rays and longer than those of gamma rays. Roughly, X-rays have a wavelength ran ...

images (X-ray illuminator). ** In the science field, lightboxes are often used for looking at bacterial growth and allow better visualization for PCR plates. ** A lighted display panel used for advertising purposes. The panel can be illuminated by fluorescent light bulbs or LED lighting strips. The efficiency of light boxes improved dramatically after the introduction of LED technology. The user inserts a graphic, which can be changed easily. Some light boxes are designed especially for outdoor purposes so they are more weatherproof. * The fabric reflectors that attach to studio lighting via a connector to create soft lighting by diffusing the strobe flash are called "light boxes". They generally come in various rectangle or octagon shapes. Interior reflectors can be white, silver or gold to alter the temperature of light. Baffling inserts are also available. * A variation of this is a box, with one open end, made of diffusing material, to allow the photographing of a sample object with no shadows. It is also called light tent or photo cube. * A folder used on

stock photography Stock photography is the supply of photographs that are often licensed for specific uses. The stock photo industry, which began to gain hold in the 1920s, has established models including traditional macrostock photography, midstock photography, ...

to allow a user to organize digital photos. Photos can be assigned to a viewable lightbox folder by subject, for later convenience, or used to compile unrelated photos for a specific project layout. Lightboxes also allow graphic designers to show clients options for a project in one simple uncluttered folder. * The card-reader near the door in a hotel room, used as the main electric switch

Gallery

File:Table lumineuse.jpg, Small lightbox opened to reveal workings File:US Navy 060410-N-7293M-014 Navy Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Mary A. Rhudy and Lt. Junius Dural discuss a patient's X-rays in the Emergency Room.jpg, Wall mounted lightbox for inspecting medical X-rays File:MK Portland Street cheap motel.jpg, Lightbox used in outdoor advertising File:DIY Lightbox.jpg, Lightbox designed to produce images with diffuse lighting from all angles File:Louisa lawson suffragette light box memorial greenway.JPG, Lightbox used as a Memorial Plaque

References

{{reflist Photography equipment ru:Лайтбокс

Types

Gallery

See also

References