{{Short description|Translucent surface illuminated from behind}} {{other uses|Lightbox (disambiguation)}} {{for|the tool used by artists to trace over pictures|light table}}
A '''lightbox''' is most commonly a [[translucent]] surface illuminated from behind, used for situations where a shape laid upon the surface needs to be seen with high contrast.<ref name="White2014">{{cite book|author=Tony White|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IqPcAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA309|title=Animation from Pencils to Pixels: Classical Techniques for the Digital Animator|date=20 June 2014|publisher=CRC Press|isbn=978-1-136-14422-6|pages=309|via=[[Google Books]]}}</ref> A lightbox is also a blocked-off area of an overhanging roof, as over an extended eve, added to allow light to pass through.
==Types== Several varieties exist, depending on their purpose: * Various backlit viewing devices: ** A container with several [[lightbulb]]s and a pane of [[frosted glass]] on the top. It is used by photography professionals viewing [[transparency and translucency|transparent]] films, such as [[Photographic slide|slide]]s.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ck26ZIQ51QIC&pg=PT506|page=453|title=Reframing Photography: Theory and Practice|last1=Modrak|first1=Rebekah|last2=Anthes|first2=Bill|publisher=Taylor & Francis|year=2011|isbn=9780415779197|via=[[Google Books]]}}</ref> This device was originally used to sort [[photographic plate]]s with ease. When laid flat, it may be called a [[light table]]. Generally, a lightbox uses light similar to [[daylight]] (5,000–6,000 [[kelvin]]s (K)) and has uniform light strength on the glass pane.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=whdjDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT61|page=61|title=The Quick & Easy Guide to Photographing Your Artwork|last=Saddington|first=Roger|publisher=Penguin|year=2003|isbn=9781440317507|via=[[Google Books]]}}</ref> **In the form of vertical panels, they can also be found mounted on the walls of hospitals and medical offices to review [[X-ray]] images (X-ray illuminator).<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6FbLBQAAQBAJ&pg=PA282|page=282|title=Photonics: Principles and Practices|last=Al-Azzawi|first=Abdul|publisher=CRC Press|year=2017|isbn=9780849382949|via=[[Google Books]]}}</ref> ** In the science field, lightboxes are often used for looking at bacterial growth and allow better visualization for [[Polymerase chain reaction|PCR]] plates.{{citation needed|date=May 2021}} ** A lighted display panel used for advertising purposes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.frontsigns.com/blog/lightbox-signs-benefits-for-your-business/|title=Light Box Signs And Their Unexpected Benefits For Your Business|last=Travis|first=Lily|website=frontsigns.com|date=July 12, 2018|access-date=May 17, 2021}}</ref> The panel can be illuminated by [[Fluorescent lamp|fluorescent light bulbs]] or [[LED strip light|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.{{citation needed|date=May 2021}} * The fabric reflectors that attach to studio lighting via a connector to create soft lighting by diffusing the strobe flash are called "light boxes".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/buying-guides/best-light-tents-for-photography|title=The best light tents for photography|last1=Andrews|first1=Ben|last2=Stapley|first2=Jon|website=digitalcameraworld.com|date=August 29, 2020|access-date=May 17, 2021}}</ref> 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'''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://photography.tutsplus.com/tutorials/3-great-ways-to-utilize-a-light-cube--photo-16886|title=3 Great Ways to Utilize a Light Cube|last=Elizabeth|first=Diana|website=photography.tutsplus.com|date=December 3, 2013|access-date=May 17, 2021}}</ref> * A folder used on [[stock 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.<ref name="PorebskiPrzystalski2011">{{cite book|author1=Bartosz Porebski|author2=Karol Przystalski|author3=Leszek Nowak|title=Building PHP Applications with Symfony, CakePHP, and Zend Framework|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gTEl2mWGNtAC&pg=PA259|date=17 February 2011|publisher=John Wiley and Sons|isbn=978-1-118-06792-5|pages=259|via=[[Google Books]]}}</ref> * The card-reader near the door in a hotel room, used as the main electric switch{{citation needed|date=May 2021}} * A blocked-off area of an overhanging roof, as over an extended eve, which allows light to pass through.
==Gallery== <gallery mode="packed"> 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
</gallery>
==See also== * [[Light table]] * [[Blueprint]] * [[Heliographic copier]] * [[Thermal copier]] * [[Verifax copier]]
== References == {{Commons category}} {{Commons category|Light boxes (signs)}} {{wiktionary}} {{reflist}}
[[Category:Photography equipment]]
[[ru:Лайтбокс]]