Photographers have used light boxes for years because they are an effective way to review slides, negatives or contact sheets. They are used primarily in the darkroom, but they can be used just about anywhere. Here are some tips on build your own light box.
Basics
You need a 1 1/2' x 1' piece of translucent or frosted glass or plastic. You can make the light box out of plastic or wood, with wood being the easier of the two. You will need one piece of wood, preferably plywood, that is the same dimensions as the frosted glass. You also will need two 6" x 12" boards for the sides and two 6" x 18" boards for the front and back. You also will need a light source. Usually, florescent lights work best because they don't get too hot and they produce even light. The light fixture to hold two or four bulbs must be no more than 15 inches to fit inside the box.
Construction
You can use nails or screws for the wood portions of your light box. You also will need to drill a hole in the back or on one of the sides for the power cord. It's best to use some sort of frame on hinges for the frosted glass top so you can open the lid to change the bulbs when they burn out. The hinges can be affixed to the rear board at the top and to the frame that holds the frosted plastic. The plastic piece can be glued into the frame or affixed with screws. Attach the light fixture to the bottom board and put the power cord out through the hole. You can make the light box work just by plugging it in and unplugging it, or you can use a toggle switch connected to the light fixture. You will need another hole in the side or front for this. You can mount it directly to the wood or via a plastic or metal plate.
Considerations
If you work with different sizes of film, or if you intend to view contact sheets with your light box, leave the entire surface of the frosted plastic clear. If, however, you always intend to view slides or strips of film, you can attach guide rails to the top. This will make it easier to view your negatives or slides because they will be held in place.
Don't leave the light box powered on for too long with film on the surface, or if you are using frosted plastic, because even florescent lights can build up heat. To get rid of some of the heat, you can put vents in either side of the box for ventilation or you can even install a small fan and wire it to the same switch as the light.
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