Purple/Pink Posies on a Platter

@Shahab: Thanks. They are getting a lot of lens time too!

@Craig: Thanks.

@dee: Thanks.

@MadScientist: Thanks.

@Stunner: Thanks.

@amy: Thanks.

@Pouhou: Thanks.

@MaryB: Thanks.

@marc: Thanks...yes it is!

@Anita: Thanks.

@Viewfinder: Thanks.

@Zing: Thanks.

@Illuci: Thanks.

@Jeremy Tscharke: Jeremy...Thanks for taking the time to comment. I always appreciate it.

To answer your question. The white background is a backdrop of rolled white paper that I picked up from an office supply store for doing small studio shots (too narrow for portraits though). You can use white poster board too.

I have studio lights for big jobs and SB-800 speedlights that I can use off camera on lightstands with umbrellas for smaller jobs. For this photo I used my large studio lights (I got new ones to augment my older ones) with a softbox on the main light (they were already set up for other work). I used a second light for fill I think I shot reflected into an umbrella but I don't remember the exact set up.

You don't need studio lights to do this. You can actually accomplish this in several ways including using a couple of garage lights. Those are the work lamps with the silver reflector pans that have clamps and can be purchased at any hardware store or home center. Fit it with a ceramic socket insert for safety because of the high wattage bulb. The ceramic insert can also be purchased in the electrical department of a hardware store or home center. Get a photoflood bulb from a photo store which are fairly inexpensive. I think Smith Victor makes them. You can use a high wattage standard bulb but the color will have a bit of a cast. Photofloods have better color temp. Or you can invest in a set of hotlights for relatively little money. DIY works just as well though.

You will need a way to mount them. I have several lightstands that I bought both new and used. You can find them easily. B&H has a nice inexpensive set up that comes with umbrellas stands etc. that can be used for speedlights like the Nikon Sb-800. This (see link) is what I got for the flash units. I love that kit because it is very portable for smaller jobs. I use it at home and in the field when the big lights are not necessary or inconvenient.

I have a D200 which uses the Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS) and controls the speedlights off camera using the small pop-up flash or a hot shoe mounted CLS compatible speedlights like the SB-800 and I think the SB-600.

Strobist is an awesome site. If you don't already know about it, I would definitely check it out for some great lighting ideas. They have instructions for all sorts of DIY lighting tools and techniques. It's really fun and informative.

A lightbox can be fashioned out of a large box with large square holes cut in the sides and top and then fitted with some sort of translucent white material, a plastic shower curtain, nylon fabric, even tissue paper, that light can get through, or a large opaque plastic storage bin will work. Just be careful with the "hotlights" they get, well...hot.

Use any white paper for the backdrop and sweep it under the subject so that there is no crease or fold. Then set up the lights and shoot. Experiment with position and settings (for flashes) until you get what you want. Hot lights are the easiest because you can really easily see how the light and shadows will fall.

I hope this helps.