by Nebula Haze
Table of Contents
Introduction: Getting True-Color LED Pictures
- Specialized Lenses (which specifically correct LED light)
Introduction: Getting True-Color LED Pictures
LED grow lights are relatively new to the cannabis growing scene, but they offer benefits such as built-in cooling and efficient electricity use.
Personally, I love seeing pictures of cannabis plants under LED grow lights; the purples and blacks make a garden look like it’s from another planet. But one of the problems with LED grow lights is it can be difficult for growers to see their plants to diagnose problems. Plus LEDs don’t make it easy for you to take true-color pictures of your garden.
This is a cannabis plant under an LED grow light – everything looks purple and black, and you can’t see the plant’s natural colors.
So what do you do if you want to take non-purple pictures of your plants under an LED grow light? How can you see your plants in true color so you can diagnose problems?
1.) Best Option: Use Lenses Made to Neutralize Light from LEDs
Special glasses or lenses can be used to neutralize the light coming from LEDs, allowing you to see your plants in true color. If you take pictures or video through these lenses, it will allow you to take natural-color pictures without changing anything else.
This is what a cannabis plant looks like through Method 7’s LED Glasses
Here’s a video showing how well these glasses work for an LED cannabis garden
In addition to picture-taking, you can wear Method 7 glasses in the grow room while you inspect your plants. Not only will they help you easily see your plants and spot any potential plant problems, they protect your eyes from bright LEDs too!
Get a pair of Method 7 LED glasses on Amazon.com (if you see the price and get sticker shock, check out an almost-as-good cheaper alternative below)
Method 7 LED glasses are the “standard” though very pricey, and there are a few other less expensive models that help block out the purple of an LED light that are nearly as good but won’t break the bank!
“Apollo Horticulture” LED glasses are waaaay cheaper than Method 7s, and 80% as good! If you want glasses to look at your plants under LED grow lights but don’t want to put down a lot of money, get these!
Get Apollo Horticulture LED glasses on Amazon.com for less than $20!
2.) Take Picture in the Dark with a Flash
During the vegetative stage, it lets you clearly see the size and shape of your plant. In the flowering, I believe taking pictures of your plants in the dark with a flash is one of the best ways to get “glamour shots” of your plants in the flowering stage. It really helps you see the buds and glitter as the flash bounces off all the trichomes. It also brings the colors of your plants and buds alive.
Get “Glamour Shots” of your plants by taking a pic in the dark with a flash
Taking pictures in the dark with a flash lets you see the true colors come to life
This technique shows how big your colas really are since it reflects off the trichomes on the buds
Take these pictures right before lights go on, or immediately after the lights go off. This ensures you don’t interrupt the plant’s dark period and put it off it’s rhythm.
If you step back from the plants, it helps incorporate more natural light and can help give more true color to your plants in pictures. The more natural light you can incorporate, the more natural your plants will look.
Here are examples of photographers stepping back for a little more natural light
The more natural light the better, or simply turn off your LEDs and use just natural light.
Use Camera Settings to help correct the lighting. For example, DSLR cameras usually allow you to adjust the white balance so that it corrects for some of the purple.
Sometimes playing with other settings on your camera can make a huge difference. Here are some settings to play with to see if it can help you achieve better pictures.
- White Balance
- Exposure
Jump to…
10 Tips & Tricks for Great Plant Pictures
Learn More about LED Grow Lights
7 Ways to Increase the Quality of Your Buds