Newborns

Dman

Dman

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So I usually shoot toddlers, kids and families on a white background, but have had a request to do a shoot for a newborn that's only a couple of weeks old. This is territory that's relatively new to me so I'm not totally sure how to approach it.

I'm thinking the black background (it's a reversible one) is going to be the much better choice, but don't want to go overkill on the lighting but at the same time I don't want to do too little. I usually use two Elementals flash heads on the background with a Lencarta flash head and softbox on the subject.

So with the baby lying on something which will be on the black train, should I just use the softbox lighting the baby, or even just a single SB-600 bounced off the ceiling? I've hardly done any black background stuff before so haven't had the chance to experiment much with the lighting on it. I want to make sure I have a nice soft light on the baby, but without a grubby looking background.

Cheers
 
Hi,

I'd go with the softbox. You'll have much more control over the light with the softbox.

I imagine using a flash bounced off the ceiling will light up the black train, meaning PP to darken the train.
 
Hi Dman,

I have done lots of newborn shoots. On white looks terrible (IMO), on black is nice. One massive light source, diffused to the heavens, nice and close.

I will show you my last few,

Gary.
 
Octobox 150, about 2ft from Skye. Black Curtain 8ft away,

babyskye02.jpg
 
When reading I didn't expect black to work so well!
 
gman said:
When reading I didn't expect black to work so well!
Click to expand...

It was Gary's pictures which had stuck in my mind, I absolutely love that first one.

Cheers Gary, I guess it's now just a case of getting the best out of the session, not quite sure on baby poses!
 
Dman said:
It was Gary's pictures which had stuck in my mind, I absolutely love that first one.

Cheers Gary, I guess it's now just a case of getting the best out of the session, not quite sure on baby poses!
Click to expand...


My advice, based on what I do here.

  1. LOTS OF HEAT (make them sleepy)
  2. Insist on them coming to clash with Baby being tired
  3. Make them bring a hat to stop baby looking like all the other babies
  4. Get lots of props (we have baskets, wooden plates, barrels, cloths / blankets etc)
  5. Allow three or four hours

When the kids are asleep they are SO easy to pose, just be gentle.

Good luck!!

G.
 
Cheers Gary, they're not getting 3-4 hours though :D
 
EG - I've commented on these shots before - and I still love them.

Dman - good luck
 
EdinburghGary said:
My advice, based on what I do here.

  1. LOTS OF HEAT (make them sleepy)
  2. Insist on them coming to clash with Baby being tired
  3. Make them bring a hat to stop baby looking like all the other babies
  4. Get lots of props (we have baskets, wooden plates, barrels, cloths / blankets etc)
  5. Allow three or four hours

When the kids are asleep they are SO easy to pose, just be gentle.

Good luck!!

G.
Click to expand...

God, I wish this was the case with mine!
 
They are lovely shots Gary, i have two 6 month old twins to photograph next week, and i was thinking of using the blown out white background, but these shots have given me some more ideas :thumbs:
 
EdinburghGary said:
Probably one of my faves, same setup....

babyrj.jpg
Click to expand...

Gary could you please let me know where you got your barrels from, i'm going to try a garden centre, but if you know anywhere more specific could you please post, cheers Tel :thumbs:
 
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