Use Your Tablet/iPad as a Light Source + Softbox

[Lou]

A few months ago I found an article on using a tablet computer as a light source for photography. It's quickly becoming my favorite way to light my shots.

If you've ever seen someone using a tablet in a dark room, you know what a soft, beautiful light it gives off. You can use it as a softbox.


It's great for low-key and rim-lighting.


...as well as for high-key.


Display a shape on the screen and get shaped catch lights in a reflective subject.


And something I have yet to do: display another image on the screen and use that as a backdrop for your shot. There's a neat example of this in the article linked up top.

Apps like SoftBox Pro (for iPad) give you a selection of shapes and backgrounds to use, and the guy who wrote this article created a few "softbox images" that he's graciously put out for free. Just follow his link, "some tablet-friendly softbox images," to download them.

So what are you waiting for? If you've got a mobile device, you have a fantastic and fun light source to play with!

[☠northy]

tx for posting this! i've been meaning to try using the tablet for lighting - and actually tried while i was away - but not srsly (not sure where that image is sitting right now - must go looking for it)

[Katie]

Cool! This is a spoon reflecting on my tablet.

[Yao RL]

ha! Mystery resolved. Thank you for sharing.

[Alexis Birkill]

Here's my phone display standing in for a candle, allowing me to get the perfect colour and brightness:

[Lou]

@northy I've been meaning to do this for a while now. It's way fun, and I would love to see others' shots :)

[Lou]

@archaeofrog Awesome! I'm amazed at how shiny your spoon is too :)

[Lou]

@abirkill That is unbelievably beautiful. Thank you also for the detailed explanation in the description!

[☠northy]

Well dang! Just downloaded an app to my iPhone and this could be fun! May have to borrow my hubby's iPad so I'm not stuck w macro

[Hope D Jennings]

Here is my kitty lit only by my iPad.I did this for the one light source challenge and just thought I was being a crazy insomniac!

[John Dupre Jr]

I never thought of doing this. I'll have to give it a try.

[April Milani]

I love the way you got those way cool catch lights in the eye. I will be doing this. Thank you=D

[Paul "Snapchap" Everest]

I've been using my monitor and tablet for creating backgrounds for a long time but hadn't really thought about using them as a proper light source. I will definitely have to give it a whirl.

[David Tigani]

This is a bokeh image displaying on a tablet, sitting behind the legos.

[Jennifer]

This is an awesome post! Can't wait to try something using my tablet! @dtigani the bokeh pic behind was a brilliant idea!!

[Hope D Jennings]

@dtigani ahhhhh that is a cool idea! Better than dragging out the old Christmas lights!

[iqscotland]

I use my laptop or monitor as a polarised light source.

[Richard Sayer]

@iqscotland Oh, these images are ubër cool.

[Richard Sayer]

Here's a B&W shot of a a slice of kiwi fruit lying on the screen of my iPad displaying a blank document page.

[Surabhi]

I shot this in the dark, with my laptop screen (the background) as the only light source

[Dale Morano]

They were watching the iPod in their "fort". It was pretty dark and the iPad provided light to their faces