diffusers for flash

[Stefanie]

Hello, I´ve no idea about flashes. I´m thinking of getting the Canon Speedlite 430EX II for my Canon EOS 60d. I want to photograph newborns, mostly in natural light, but was thinking of what to do if there isn´t enough light.
Is any of the following items useful and if yes which one of them is best?
Generic Airblow Flash Diffusers
Bounce Soft Dome Flash Diffusers
or Softbox Flash Diffusers

 

[Phil V]

I don't want to sound like a party pooper (but I guess I will), the one subject that you need proper training in before you commit is newborn photography. The Health and Safety issues are massive. By the time you're ready to shoot newborns, you'll realise how naive this question is.

Most newborn photographers are using large softboxes with lower powered studio heads (high powered ones don't always dial down low enough).

Look at the work of some of the experts and you should be able to work out the lighting patterns (again, if you can't ascertain lighting by looking at an image, you're probably short of experience for this type of work).

Shoot some kids and some still life to build up your experience, get a softbox and some triggers for your flashgun, learn it's limitations, buy something better, buy some books, get some training, then you'll be ready (if it's really what you want to do).

 

[Phil V]

Just to put the above in context:

I've been shooting as an amateur, pro and part time pro for nearly 30 years, I've run a mobile studio, shot kids, adults, weddings, events, sports. And if I wanted to start shooting newborns (I have considered it), I'd book on a training course.

 

[Stefanie]

Thanks for your reply.

But to come back to question, none of those is any good then?
If I want to take indoor pictures of my baby? Or other children indoors?

 

[Stefanie]

Just to put the above in context:

I've been shooting as an amateur, pro and part time pro for nearly 30 years, I've run a mobile studio, shot kids, adults, weddings, events, sports. And if I wanted to start shooting newborns (I have considered it), I'd book on a training course.

Yes I´m going to start a 6 months photography course in January, but would already like to take photos of my baby and friends newborns when they come before then.

 

[Phil V]

Thanks for your reply.

But to come back to question, none of those is any good then?
If I want to take indoor pictures of my baby? Or other children indoors?

I did answer:

...

Most newborn photographers are using large softboxes with lower powered studio heads (high powered ones don't always dial down low enough).

Shoot some kids and some still life to build up your experience, get a softbox and some triggers for your flashgun, learn it's limitations, ...

But back to the 'shooting newborns' it's a specialism, your photography course will not touch on it (a 3 year degree course won't prepare you). It's a heath and safety nightmare, it requires a whole bunch of skills and knowledge not possessed by those of us who have no experience. But if you want to do it, there's loads of very good training available.

There's a couple of great newborn photographers on this site, you could ask them* about it directly. At least one of the wedding photographers just did a course**

Apologies if the naming is inappropriate:
* Rob Mank
** Simon Revill

I'm sure they'd both tell you who trained them and what to look out for with the training.

 

[TG.]

As Phil said newborns are a very specialised subject, which also requires a tremendous amount of patience, as lots of time is involved, it's just not like normal portrait shooting, i did some shot's of my newborn granddaughter a few months ago, and that was difficult enough. Take a look at Kelly brown, she does it for a living, and has some lovely work, she has an online course HERE