Lighting Babies

V

Vic

Suspended / Banned
Messages
1,067
Edit My Images
Yes
Hey guys,

Baby season has arrived in my family with 3 of my cousins having babies at the same time. As I have a "good camera", as they put it, they would like me to take some photos of them. I've only really did portraits of adults, model shoots, etc so have no problem lighting them.

What I mean is, should you only use natural light on newborns? I am not wanting to sizzle their corneas with flash am I? :thinking:

Any tips would be great!
Cheers
Vicky.
 
Lighting babies is always going to be tricky. They are generally damp at both ends.


Diffuse light/ bounced flash?
 
who? said:
Lighting babies is always going to be tricky. They are generally damp at both ends.
Click to expand...

:suspect: :D

Thanks, I think Ill try for a sunny day and just get some natural light. :thumbs:
 
My OH (medic) says that a flash should be fine. You might just startle them more than you would an older child. You are not going to be pushing it in their face after all.

If you want to get a small babies attention (controlling where they look) then a simple black and white picture - maybe a face - would be best. They will focus on faces and things with high contrast. So try a b/w smilie face drawing.

I still think diffuse or bounced flash.
 
Could be difficult getting any eye contact if other people are there since they'd much rather focus on a face that they know, which tends to be the mother. Not sure how you get around that, distractions I guess.
 
who? said:
My OH (medic) says that a flash should be fine. You might just startle them more than you would an older child. You are not going to be pushing it in their face after all.

If you want to get a small babies attention (controlling where they look) then a simple black and white picture - maybe a face - would be best. They will focus on faces and things with high contrast. So try a b/w smilie face drawing.

I still think diffuse or bounced flash.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I'll bring my lights anyway and see if I can bounce them for some of the pictures. Yes I was thinking of doing the mono portraits, I think thats what the mothers had in mind too :thumbs:

Could be difficult getting any eye contact if other people are there since they'd much rather focus on a face that they know, which tends to be the mother. Not sure how you get around that, distractions I guess.
Click to expand...

I think its going to be interesting! Never photographed babies, frankly try to stay away from them, Im not the best with children :D Ill just see what happens on the day, there not paying me anything so havent really got any serious obligation.

Vicky.
 
take something that jingles. Keys, for example. Babies LOVE things that jingle :)
 
I was taking this photo of a friend's baby for my 365 and this was his face when he heard my charm bracelet jingling as I took the photo: :lol: Had to take it off to get anything near natural shots of him :p

april19.jpg
 
:lol: Thats an amazing picture! I love the little fascinated expressions they pull.
 
Also concentrate on getting the eyes in focus!
 
I just took 75 shots of my grand daughter using the flash. Absolutely no problem with the light at all it will not cause any problems. In fact the first flash gets their attention and makes them look at the camera!
 
Yes flash isn't an issue even with new born babys, hospitals use it all the time, and I once checked with two paediatricians, both argreed no problems. Wayne
 
ppp said:
Also concentrate on getting the eyes in focus!
Click to expand...

Thanks, ill remember that :thumbs:

I just took 75 shots of my grand daughter using the flash. Absolutely no problem with the light at all it will not cause any problems. In fact the first flash gets their attention and makes them look at the camera!
Click to expand...

Thanks for letting me know, least I know its safe. :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top