The image below was captured with a Nikon D100 digital camera, using the box.
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Build a Finch Photo Box
If you own finches, you have no doubt wanted to share them with friends through the medium of photography. But photographing them in their cages is generally difficult and unsatisfying. Either the cage bars get in the way, or if you open the door, the bird will do everything possible to retreat from view. The solution is to build a finch photo box.
A finch photo box is a simple box with a clear plastic front and top. It can be made from wood scraps and a piece of plexiglass. We made the box shown below from 7/8" pine board, with interior dimensions of 12" wide x 8" deep x 9" high. Notice that the plastic top and front panels slide in grooves cut about 3/4" from the edges of the wooden sides, back and base panels. There is a 5/8" air space between the front edge of the top plastic panel and the front plastic panel. A perch is attached to the back panel, and all of the other wooden parts have been painted white with non-toxic latex enamel so that they will not distract from the colors of the finches.
To use the photo box, simply raise the front panel enough to put a finch in, let the panel fall back into the closed position, and give the finch a moment to settle down on the perch. Then fire away with your camera. Because the top of the box is clear plastic, a light can be placed above it to provide additional illumination if desired.
The image below was captured with a Nikon D100 digital camera, using the box.
Return to Finch Information page.