A light box is a box containing a source of light and a white translucent cover. The light source is one or more fluorescent tubes. The cover may be frosted glass. Most tubes are full spectrum or True Daylight. They operate at a color temperature of 5,000 kelvin, producing light similar to sunlight. Some light boxes for depression, circadian rhythm therapy and medical treatment have blue, red, or blue and red tubes.
Photography
Professional photographers use wall-mounted and desktop light boxes to examine negatives and make photograph selections. They may also use light boxes to review and select slides for presentations. Another way some use light boxes is to generate uniform lighting on small items. They achieve this by placing a small item to be photographed inside a light box. Soft boxes--used in the production of portraits, photographs and videos--are customized light boxes mounted on stands, and are used in studios and on location to illuminate products and humans. Reflectors can help produce soft light, colored light and other special effects.
Art
Photo referencing involves placing a photograph on a light box and tracing with pencil, ink or other media. When the subject of planned artwork is not available or the artist cannot go to the subject, photo referencing can be useful. Some beginning art students improve their artistic eye through photo referencing. Light boxes are an ideal tool for animators and tattoo artists.
Advertising
Theatres insert movie posters printed on translucent materials into light boxes mounted for display in the lobbies and halls of theatres. Trade shows, conferences and conventions use similar light box advertising at conference centers, hotels and other venues. Museums also use this visitor communication technique.
Commercial Printing
Printing clients and their representatives use light boxes during press checks for color correction prior to printing multiple-color documents. The touch up process and the splicing of last-minute corrections and updates into film negatives also require the use of light boxes.
Depression and Circadian Rhythm Therapy
The Mayo Clinic reports that light box therapy--known as light therapy, bright light therapy and phototherapy--may help in the treatment of seasonal affective disorder, nonseasonal types of depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, postpartum depression, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, jet lag, shift-work problems and certain sleep disorders. It is not, however, a cure. The theory is that exposure to bright light from a light box alters circadian rhythms and suppresses melatonin release. The resulting biochemical changes in the brain help control or reduce symptoms. During treatment subjects work or sit near a light therapy box disseminating bright light. The type and intensity of this light mimics sunlight.
Skin Condition Treatment
The treatment of some skin conditions--including acne, psoriasis and eczema--incorporates light boxes. Spas and some consumers use customized light boxes for skin rejuvenation.
Other Medical Treatment
Neonatal jaundice is a yellowing of the eyes and skin caused by immature liver function. Bili light box therapy helps convert bilirubin to nontoxic substances the newborn can pass via urine and feces. It is necessary to shield the eyes of babies from this bright light while they undergo this therapy. Medical trials using light box therapy supported and managed by the NASA Space Marshall Flight Center show promise in pain relief, healing of wounds and muscle regeneration.
Radiology
Radiologists put X-ray films on wall-mounted or desktop light boxes for reading. Surgeons and physicians also use light boxes to review X-ray films. With the transition to digital output, the use of light boxes in radiology has declined.
Laboratory Experiments
Laboratories use light boxes in a number of ways, including research into bacterial growth. For example, an experiment reported in the July 2002 issue of Applied and Environmental Microbiology studied the inhibiting factor of ultraviolet light on bacterial growth.
Aquaponics
Some home gardeners extend their efforts beyond traditional gardening by creating ponds where they can grow plants and fish. Winter weather would likely kill the plants. A viable alternative is moving the plants and some of the fish indoors for the winter into a aquaponics grow system containing a light box.
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