Newborn lighting - single flash and big modifier?

EspressoJunkie

EspressoJunkie

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I've done some googling and from what I can see the simplest set ups seem to consist of a single flash and then a nice big softbox/ octabox.

I'd imagine the head wouldn't need to be overly powerful?

Any tips or input would be greatly appreciated.
 
Albeit not flash but when i was doing baby and toddler shoots i was using a Lencarta 200W studio heaf inside a Bessel 4ft octabox as my key light and a white/silver 3 ft reflector as a fill.
Its a fairly easy light setup to do with excellent results
 
As above, I've not done hundreds, but one large octa would be my choice too, and plenty of reflector/flag material.
 
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New born? I do recognize that their presence may create big
emotions but they are still tiny things.

I most cases, the shooting is at the family's home (on location)
and I use nothing but a speed light in 3 foot white brolly.
 
And no, you don't need loads of power.

In fact even a 200 on min power can be 'too much' sometimes.
 
We use a Lencarta SmartFlash (version 1) at pretty much lowest setting, 120cm octabox and large (2m x 1m) white or silver reflector for all beanbag & prop shots unless specific lighting is required like a rectangular gridded softbox.
Octabox is nearly at right angle to baby (with baby lying down, the octabox is positioned so the light falls from the head down the body) and quite far forward to feather the light a bit.
Regards
Jim
 
JimPMM said:
We use a Lencarta SmartFlash (version 1) at pretty much lowest setting, 120cm octabox and large (2m x 1m) white or silver reflector for all beanbag & prop shots unless specific lighting is required like a rectangular gridded softbox.
Octabox is nearly at right angle to baby (with baby lying down, the octabox is positioned so the light falls from the head down the body) and quite far forward to feather the light a bit.
Regards
Jim
Click to expand...
Thanks Jim.

This is an area I don't have any practical experience in yet. I currently do product photography so there may be some crossover of knowledge, although what I photograph at the moment isn't alive....

Would you say a single head, octabox, and reflector covers all (or most) situations?
 
If your looking at Lencarta then have a look at their profold range of softboxes. They make life so much easier when you can put them up and down like an umbrella.
 
Kodiak Qc said:
I most cases, the shooting is at the family's home (on location)
and I use nothing but a speed light in 3 foot white brolly.
Click to expand...
A simple setup with a smallish shoot through umbrella can work quite well for creating "soft light" in these situations... you just have to understand that you are using a lot of bounce/spill from around the room. In fact, you could use "the room" as the primary light source and the umbrella as secondary (which is why it can be relatively small).

It's actually more what I would call "flat lighting," but it would work well for babies. However, it also makes you more dependent on the room/environment.
 
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sk66 said:
A simple setup with a smallish shoot through umbrella can work quite well for creating "soft light" in these situations... you just have to understand that you are using a lot of bounce/spill from around the room. In fact, you could use "the room" as the primary light source and the umbrella as secondary (which is why it can be relatively small).

It's actually more what I would call "flat lighting," but it would work well for babies. However, it also makes you more dependent on the room/environment.
Click to expand...
My intention would be to travel to the person's home, so I want a set up that can be consistent regardless of the room.

I'd love to be able to depend solely on natural light, but that's pretty impossible especially with our weather!
 
EspressoJunkie said:
My intention would be to travel to the person's home, so I want a set up that can be consistent regardless of the room.

I'd love to be able to depend solely on natural light, but that's pretty impossible especially with our weather!
Click to expand...
Then you want the 4ft octa and reflectors...
 
We generally use 2 x 300w heads bounced but do also use a 1m rapid octo or 90x90 softbox feathered with great results. Been doing it for about 7 years now and I see the godox ad600 is getting a huge following as it can go down to 1/256th for close up newborns
 
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