Baby photography

[magicmonkey75]

Hello everyone,

I am looking for some advice. I will be doing my first proper shoot tomorrow with a little baby (not sure how old yet but I figure under 1 year). As I am shooting in the evening, I will be using my elinchrom 400w lights. I have the following questions and would appreciate any help!

1) Is 400w too strong? Should I try to stick with natural lights in the place I will be at?
2) Any suggestion on whether to use a softbox or umbrella?
3) any suggestions on background (should I bring a blanket? or sheet or something?
4) I am shooting with a Canon 5D mark II but only have a 24-85mm (3.5f) lens which is not that great unfortunately, but any tricks of the trade working with this lens would be greatly appreciated!
5) any suggestions on lighting set up?

Although I have shots lots of pics of children for friends and family, I have never actually had a studio session with a baby. I know I have a lot of questions so any help, advice, words of wisdom would be valued immensely!

Thanks and cheers!

 

[fletch5]

erm, point the camera at baby and click button...

that is a lot of questions and lots of different answers depending on what you want to achieve, try getting a cuddly toy, put it in the middle of the room and try the different ways of lighting it you can think of, then look at them and decide what you think needs to be done differently.

i have heard it said somewhere you shouldnt use flash on newborns as it can damage eyes, dont know what truth is in it, but i heard it somewhere

 

[HoppyUK]

Hello everyone,

I am looking for some advice. I will be doing my first proper shoot tomorrow with a little baby (not sure how old yet but I figure under 1 year). As I am shooting in the evening, I will be using my elinchrom 400w lights. I have the following questions and would appreciate any help!

Photographing a baby shouldn't be that different technically. Just a bit smaller and a lot less cooperative. The trick will be getting some nice expresions. When you get a smile, go for it. It may not last long.

The thing about flash being harmful is an old wive's tale.

1) Is 400w too strong? Should I try to stick with natural lights in the place I will be at?

Should be fine. You can turn the power down on most units. F/8 will give you good sharpness and depth of field, but it might be nice to shoot at full aperture to get a nice out of focus effect. Always focus on the eyes, the nearest one.

2) Any suggestion on whether to use a softbox or umbrella?

Either. Not much difference. I would use the biggest of the two, and move it close for maximum softness. You can do a lot with just one good light and a reflector on the opposite side.

3) any suggestions on background (should I bring a blanket? or sheet or something?

No harm in taking something. But if you move close there won't be much background in the shot.

4) I am shooting with a Canon 5D mark II but only have a 24-85mm (3.5f) lens which is not that great unfortunately, but any tricks of the trade working with this lens would be greatly appreciated!

As above, but 85mm is a bit short on full frame.

5) any suggestions on lighting set up?

Although I have shots lots of pics of children for friends and family, I have never actually had a studio session with a baby. I know I have a lot of questions so any help, advice, words of wisdom would be valued immensely!

Thanks and cheers!

As above, big soft light, move it close to the baby and close to the camera, a bit above lens height. Use a reflector to fill in on the shadow side, and perhaps from below also. That's simple beauty light technique which will probably suit. If you don't have a reflector, anything white will do - get somebody to hold a pillowcase.

 

[swanseamale47]

erm, point the camera at baby and click button...

that is a lot of questions and lots of different answers depending on what you want to achieve, try getting a cuddly toy, put it in the middle of the room and try the different ways of lighting it you can think of, then look at them and decide what you think needs to be done differently.

i have heard it said somewhere you shouldnt use flash on newborns as it can damage eyes, dont know what truth is in it, but i heard it somewhere

It's not true, I have asked two pediatricians, both say it's fine to use flash on newborns, hospitals do it all the time. Wayne

 

[mmcp42]

when I had the same "opportunity" I rigged up a sheet on the bed
hang the far end over the bedhead to make a primitive "infinity curve"
stick the bairn on the bed as far away from the curve as you can
light the backdrop +1 1/2 stops

and get parents ("helpers" :nuts to amuse the target

snap a lot!

post results here

 

[magicmonkey75]

Thanks everyone! Lots of great advice and tips! Will let you know how it turns out and post some pics

Cheers!

 

[pearce_jj]

re expressions, when photographing my own children I tend to use continuous mode on the 5D and grab a few frames at a time. It's amazing how two shots 1/3rd a second apart can be so different expression wise.

EDIT: sorry also 85mm I would think would be OK, you can always crop down to 135mm FoV at 5MP, depending on how large the prints are wanting to be of course.