Newborn Photography HELP!!!

caitlinjade95 said:
If i get lighting but not the kit how am i any better off as ill have nothing to pose the baby on with a tonne of clutter in the background lol.
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White throw from dunelm - about £4.99. Stick it on the sofa with some towels, pillows, duvet or whatever comes to hand underneath and take the throw up the sofa back - job done

Basic point is that you don't "need" a background, beanbag etc you've just convincd yourself that you want one , you do need lighting of some description as inside shots arentlikely to be viable with just day light unless you are lucky with both weather and location

Also as countless people have said - if you don't know anything about photography yet - learn to use the camera first then decide what to specialise in (and don't think about charging or pro work until you really know what you are doing)

IMO this thread wants shifting to talk portraits because its got jack s*** to do with proffesional photography
 
for the DIY backdrop stand im worried it'll go terribly wrong lol i feel way out of my depth hunting down the supplies for it i'd never even heard of PVC before today lol. I am looking online still at places near me where i can get the right materials to make it and if i can then i will, of course i dont want to have to spend more money than i need to but the practicality of the bundle was what i was interested in. It's already done and no room for me to ruin it lol.
 
well i cant move the thread can i, if i could then i would but i cant so thats that. i know im not a professional photographer and i wouldnt dream in a million years of charging anyone for it i was to have some fun learning the ropes and getting to grps with it and as i just said i am planning on taking workshops and classes to get better with my skills. I get it i need lighting but as ive learnt today there are so many different lightings all under the sun and i dont know which one i bloody need lol
 
caitlinjade95 said:
if you think that then its fine, i appreciate the help your all giving me, i really do and if your don trying to help thats fine. I'm not wanting it just for the sheer fact its labled for newborn photography i want it because of the shape, flat top and the material its made out of and the reviews that this one has. I havnt found one similar which is why i wanted this one thats my reason.
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The reason I (and many others ) think that is because you arent listening - you don't need a bean bag , you especially don't need a bean bag that costs 80 quid. However if you want to wate your money on it feel free... buy why ask for advice if you've already made up your mind.

You do however need a flash gun and something to soften it with - so maybe get that first . you can get a younogoou or nissen for about £100 , or possibly less second hand
 
caitlinjade95 said:
there are so many different lightings all under the sun and i dont know which one i bloody need lol
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which is why you should listen to someone like phil v or Andy (Asphotographymk) who've been there and done that - but theres only so many times someone can say it without getting frustrated, cheap ebay lighting is generally pretty worthless, get a decent poseable head flash gun and a diffuser to start with , then if you need propper studio lights get them later.
 
caitlinjade95 said:
well i cant move the thread can i, if i could then i would but i cant so thats that.
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I can't either but I know a man (actually several of both sexes) who can... for future reference if you want a thread moved because you've started it in the wrong forum, hit report and ask the mods nicely and they'll probably move it for you
 
big soft moose said:
The reason I (and many others ) think that is because you arent listening - you don't need a bean bag , you especially don't need a bean bag that costs 80 quid. However if you want to wate your money on it feel free... buy why ask for advice if you've already made up your mind.

You do however need a flash gun and something to soften it with - so maybe get that first . you can get a younogoou or nissen for about £100 , or possibly less second hand
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im listening i really am but i find flashes really intimidating ive no clue what im even looking for do i have to get something specific for my canon 600d and there are all kinds of different things will it flash automatically etc lol flashes really are alien to me

I will ask for it to be moved now

Those photos are beautiful, i've asked him what kind of set up he used im interested to find out so thanks for the link to that one.
 
For a canon if you are buying canon flashes I'd say a second hand 580ex or 550ex (or 430ex if money is really tight) . I'm not fully up to speed on the youngou or Nissin ranges but so long as you get canon dedicated you'll be fine.
 
big soft moose said:
I'm not fully up to speed on the youngou or Nissin ranges but so long as you get canon dedicated you'll be fine.
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Something like this would be on the money if you're going for speedlight type flash...

though an awful lot of the real work is done by light modifiers rather than the flash itself necessarily - softboxes / shoot through umbrellas etc.
 
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TheBigYin said:
Something like this would be on the money if you're going for speedlight type flash...

though an awful lot of the real work is done by light modifiers rather than the flash itself necessarily - softboxes / shoot through umbrellas etc.
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I was going to get a softbox, i posted a link but i was told it wasn't powerful enough would you reccomend a softbox over a flash or better both used together? or just the flash?

There are lots on ebay but ive been told the softboxes arn't strong enough for what i want them for so not sure what im looking for on that front
 
If you get the yn560 you'd need a rf602 or rf603 trigger for it.

Then you get into stands and suitable diffusers, which will add another 5 pages to this thread probably.
 
yep - although 2 & 3 are over priced

If its a canon flash or canon dedicated it should work with the camera without needing anything else (apart from an understanding of how to use it)
 
Caitlin, seriously, if you think a soft box isn't strong enough for what you need, because of what someone told you about the link you put up earlier, you really don't have a good enough grasp of lighting to start buying kit at this stage.
 
caitlinjade95 said:
I was going to get a softbox, i posted a link but i was told it wasn't powerful enough would you reccomend a softbox over a flash or better both used together? or just the flash?

There are lots on ebay but ive been told the softboxes arn't strong enough for what i want them for so not sure what im looking for on that front
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the thing you posted was a continuous light in a softbox - what yinnie is talking about is a softbox that you fit the flash into, basically direct flash is quite harsh so you need to soften it somehow both for more flattering pics and in your case before pointing it at a baby

Lighting isnt my forte - i basically shoot wedding where it pays to keep it simple, travel light and move fast - so i usually use a poseable head flash and a stofen diffuser - and/or bounce the light off a ceiling or wall. That said if you get into studio lighting theres a multiplicity of softboxes, grids, snoots, ubrellas etc etc - I recomend a good book before buying anything
 
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I personally thought it would be fine...i was told it wouldn't be by a photographer...who would i listen to me who really dosn't have a huge clue about this and is LEARNING or a photographer with years of experiance...you guys all know a tonne more than me and i know that im learning and im going to dedicate every moment i have to learning the art of photography im determined and im going to do it with or without help im loving all your feedback if i hadn't have posted on here id be £200 less off with equipment i dont need so im listening, i really am but i don't know which is better FLASH or SOFTBOX lol
 
sorry my mistake i didnt know he was talking about the flash inside a soft box i really dont know which to get your all saying flash so my hearts going with a flash to be honest...im just trying to hunt down the one that is right for what i need lol
 
the softbox is an attachment that GOES OVER A LIGHT. The softboxes you were looking at were designed to work with continuous lights. There are however softboxes that attach over the business end of a speedlight which will produce quite a reasonable diffuse light... for example this one

(it's actually a bit small, but it was the first one I found on fleabay... look at it, and try and find something with the same kind of attachments but a a bit bigger if you can)

So, a speedlight, one of those softboxes and a lighting stand - and you're starting to get there...
 
You can't start using words like speed light!
 
I should add that i'm not 100% up to speed on the more technical aspects of working with speedlight stuff myself - i'm an old git who started with film cameras and studio flash units and never really got into this new-fangled stuff properly (mainly as the mains powered studio kit is still working and I see no need to buy new kit for no reason)
 
TheBigYin said:
So, a speedlight, one of those softboxes and a lighting stand - and you're starting to get there...
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and a radio trigger if you are going to use the flash off camera on a stand - when i said it would work fine without anything else i meant if it was attached to the camera.

(when he says a speedlite he means a flash gun essentially)
 
The YN-568EX-II I linked to will actually work as a wireless slave flash if you've got a Canon Camera with the "commander mode" - iirc the 7D, 60D, 600D have this, some others may as well - otherwise, yes, you'd need wireless triggers as well...
 
It's pants though Yin. Got that flash and 60D and its line of sight to fire.
 
I give up lol im so confused im going to have a proper sit down tomorrow after work and read back through the thread follow back all the links ive been sent and work off the info you have all given me. Its been very helpful (and sarcastic welshnoob) and i really do appreciate all the help your giving me, i may not be there yet and i may not be any time soon but i will get there and i will do everything necessary to get there because im determined. I'm presuming ebay is an ok place to look for a sleedlite/flashgun (whatever they may be i cant even tell lol) and ill have a look for a trigger for one and hopefully ill have found the right lighting i need tomorrow.

I'm following what you said ill be using the couch for a while with the blankets while i have a go getting used to the flash and getting my lighting right as i dont want to rush the process. Ive found a cheap beanbag at dunelm for £20 and ill add some extra beans to make it more firm and ill get the backdrop stand ive seen for the £25 when the time is right and when i want and need to get them.

On the risk of asking yet another stupid question when im read to upgrade and get some better and quality softboxes will i still be able to use the flash along side it too? or would that be too much
 
TheBigYin said:
The YN-568EX-II I linked to will actually work as a wireless slave flash if you've got a Canon Camera with the "commander mode" - iirc the 7D, 60D, 600D have this, some others may as well - otherwise, yes, you'd need wireless triggers as well...
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yes i have the 600d i think ill be getting this one you say most likely, and that goes inside the softbox like you said? and on a stand that you showed me and itll flash wirelessly when i take a photo?
 
caitlinjade95 said:
yes i have the 600d i think ill be getting this one you say most likely, and that goes inside the softbox like you said? and on a stand that you showed me and itll flash wirelessly when i take a photo?
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apparently you'd also need a radio-trigger that sends the "flash now" signal from the camera to the speedlight (flashgun) - hopefully @WelshNoob can recommend a specific one that'll work well, as it's a bit beyond my frame of reference really - I still use a cable from my Bronica Camera to the flash unit :LOL:

Edit : These will do the job okay I think...
 
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ill have a look around for some triggers are they made specially for the model of the flash?
 
caitlinjade95 said:
On the risk of asking yet another stupid question when im read to upgrade and get some better and quality softboxes will i still be able to use the flash along side it too? or would that be too much
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yes - the flash goes in the soft box , so if you get higher quality softboxes the flash will still go inside them
 
caitlinjade95 said:
ill have a look around for some triggers are they made specially for the model of the flash?
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welshnoob linked to the ones you need earlier - basically they are in two parts , a reciver that goes on the flash and a transmitter that goes on the camera
 
If you're singling me out for sarcasm and not helping then I'm out Caitlin. I've tried helping at every turn and its like trying to brush water up hill. You're all for buying a load of gear but you have no idea. I, just like everyone else are trying to stop you buying things that you have no idea how to use or what they are for.

You need to read up about the different types of lighting and diffusers so that you can have a 2 way conversation with people who are trying to help you rather than being more and more confused by basic answers and solutions that people are offering up to you.

Re reading this thread to try and ease your confusion will do the complete opposite IMO.
 
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big soft moose said:
welshnoob linked to the ones you need earlier - basically they are in two parts , a reciver that goes on the flash and a transmitter that goes on the camera
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But you don't need one on the flash if you get the 560iii as it has a receiver built in.
 
WelshNoob said:
But you don't need one on the flash if you get the 560iii as it has a receiver built in.
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cool, I didnt know that ( but then ive been down on YN flashes ever since one went pop and killed the 5D2 it was on (fortunately a hired body) - my curent set up is a 580ex and two 550s (which i generally use as optical slaves). Ive also got a 430 but its a spare which doesnt get much use anymore
 
Caitlin

Clearly your passion and drive is huge and that can take you a long way but as you say above (or my reading of it)..... take a pause and catch your breath to absorb all by advice, do the research and come back with a summary of your kit plans and practice plans or any other feedback and the good folk of TP will listen and continue to give you constructive criticism.

But please note we are all human and going round in circles serves no one. If there is something in a post that makes no sense to you (e.g. I think you were confused about what a softbox was and how it relates to its usage with the flash or other light source......and many posts read almost the same;) ). Ask for an explanation as soon as the lack of meaning to you is there......I think of the replies where say you are not listening is because you seem to repeat yourself.

As I said before I wish you well with your chosen path and look forward to seeing your posted images.

PS did I read that you said you are an apprentice? What are you working towards qualifying at?
 
Im going to be reading up on lighting and i know thats what i have to do i know i need a million practice tries so ill be using a doll or my niece since shes always at our house lol ive got some books on the way about lighting and portrait photography. I need to learn about flashes regardless the fast that they confuse me is going to happen to anyone thats never tried or seen one before. It's difficult to know the right things you need. I know i WAS trying to buy a million and one things and i realized its really not needed thanks to this thread and everyones comments and i can do my own DIY's and upgrade along the way. Right from the start ive always known i needed lighting i just kind of brushed flashes under the carpet because they really confused me but reading up on them today and hearing what people are saying about them and linking me to them is helping me to have a better understanding of what i need to begin with. I need some lighting and i know that and its the first thing im going to buy i cant improve my photos without lights. Photos im taking at the moment are really dim in the lighting because i just dont get enough natural light where i live, its not terrible but its not right either so all im trying to do is learn and your all helping me to do that

I appologize for repeating myself i really do i just worry about asking 10 billion questions in the fear of looking seriously stupid for not knowing something simple yet my passion for the art of photography is so strong.

I'm actually doing my level three childcare qualification at the moment. I work with babies from 3 weeks old to 18 months for 40 hours a week and a seriously crappy £3 an hour i wouldnt mind ive been here for two years this month haha!
 
my plan:
-Get some lighting softbox, umbrella, flash speedlite whatever it may be
-Practice and then practice a million times more with a doll, family and friends
-backdrop stand and bean bag when the time is right and i have a good understanding of lighting
-whilst doing this attending some workshops, hopefully making friends with a likeminded photographer near by to me and we can maybe take some photos out and about for some experiance and advice and if an evening course becomes avaible ill be the first to put my name on the list
-continue what im doing until im good at it

im sure my plan isn't perfect but thats my plan of action for the meantime lol
 
caitlinjade95 said:
I'm actually doing my level three childcare qualification at the moment. I work with babies from 3 weeks old to 18 months for 40 hours a week and a seriously crappy £3 an hour i wouldnt mind ive been here for two years this month haha!
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as we said earlier that aint legal - 19 year olds are supposed to get full min wage after year 1 (5.13 p/h) https://www.gov.uk/national-minimum-wage-rates you need to be having a serious chat with your employer
 
If you are a visual learner like me try youtube there should be some good tutorials on there from say B&H or Adorama etc Look for "newborn photography lighting".
 
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