Beginner light kit for outdoor plant photos?

[phill837]

Hi TPF this is my first post here and surely not my last as I attempt to take some professional grade photos for my website and try to learn the basics.

I am wondering what kind of light kit I should buy if I want to take outdoor shots in my garden. My goal is to photograph each individual plant (there will be good spacing between plants) in each stage of development. Preferably a white background with the soil and plant showing in the picture.

I was thinking about using a double or triple strobe light with umbrellas because it sounds like that would do the trick. I also think I should fashion some sort of white trifold back drop behind each plant as I take its picture (mostly because I like the look of a white background. Would this work fine? Or Should I be using continuous lighting or just a strobe connected to my camera?

The help is much appreciated. I have about 2-300$ to spend on lights and backdrop so any suggestions for equipment are also welcome.

Thanks,

Phill837

 

[Big Mike]

Welcome to the forum.

You won't find a decent multiple strobe kit within your budget. I don't really recommend continuous lighting either.

Really, if the plant isn't moving (wind), then you should be able to get decent shots with just the use of a tripod. But if you don't have good quality natural lighting in your garden, then you could try to increase the quality. If you are just documenting the plants, you may not really need any special lighting, but if you're going for artistic lighting, then using some sort of supplementary lighting may be called for.

Can you maybe point us in the direction (link to) some examples of what you're trying to accomplish?

 

[phill837]

Thanks for the reply Mike. I guess what I have in mind is something a little more artistic. Here is a photo I took about 5 years ago in a homemade light box. But this was taken indoors.
I want to mimic this but outside (and in the soil). I guess I could make another light box like the one I made for this one. But \I used fluorescent lighting for the photo above. Would I now have any advantage to using the umbrellas or softboxes outside with this updated scenario? I just don't get crisp enough photos outside with natural light (But this could just be my lack of knowledge on how to use my camera).

Thanks again

 

[Big Mike]

I think that if I were going to try something like this...I might go the way you're thinking and use strobes with an umbrella or softbox etc. But I already have the equipment and it cost a lot more than a couple hundred. You might be able to get the most out of your money by going with a 'strobist' set up. (flash unit used off-camera). Strobist: Lighting 101

One thing to consider is that using umbrellas or similar things outdoors, can be a pain. A slight breeze will turn them into a sail and blow your lights down.

Another option might be to go with a light tent/box approach. You could probably make something yourself, if you're handy. Even just a set of panels, as long as you have a way to hold/position them, would work well. I'd also include a dark panel or two, so that you can 'subtract' light when needed. Which can help you get a more 'artistic' lighting pattern.
If you're going to use natural light, a tripod is highly recommended. I'd suggest a good tripod and a remote shutter release. As long as it's not windy, that should allow you to get sharp photos of the plants.

 

[phill837]

Wow I cant thank you enough Mike! I will do some more research into Strobist lighting and we will see what my handy hands can construct for a light tent.

Thanks!

Phill837

 

[Dao]

If you need to take photos of larger plants or few plants together, I think diffusion panels (in sunny days ) may also works.

 

[Tony S]

I would think if you are shooting outside you should take advantage of that big light bulb in the sky and use reflectors, scrims and other modifiers for the light it throws off. Even a bright cloudy day gives you nature's largest soft box.

 

[phill837]

Thanks for the input Tony and Dao. What would be the easiest way to get my hands on some small mirrors for reflecting light? Something relatively cheap and thin like mylar or something might work?