Newborn Baby Boy

[evphoto]

This past weekend I had a newborn shoot where the newborn didn't really want to cooperate. He kept waking up and he cried a lot! This is one of the few shots that turned out.

What do you guys think of the posing in this photo? Should I have moved his feet into a different position? (not that it would have worked much with this one he would have just moved haha)

Hows the lighting? I just noticed that there is a lighter spot right behind him is that distracting? Would you have even noticed if I had not pointed it out?

Anything else would be great help!





and if it isn't constructive... don't comment please

[Mso]

I like it, and I am sure his mum will too. The light spot doesn't really bother me, the one thing I would do is clone out the scratches on his head.. I have only photographed a few babies and they are darn hard!

[evphoto]

the spot on his head is actually either a birthmark or a bruise and wasn't sure if they would want it cloned out and didn't know if I should bring it up.

[SusanH1970]

Nicely done! Exposure and skin tones look good. I totally agree with NOT removing the mark on his head unless the parents ask.

As for the bright spot, that's taken care of easily in Photoshop. Just use the burn tool, set it for highlights at around 10% or so, and go over it with a big, soft brush until it looks right.

A bit of CC:

You could have gotten lower down and shot so the baby was facing you directly, rather than shooting down on him. At this angle, it kind of gives the illusion that he's about to roll down and out of the photo, IFYWIM.

I'm guessing this is natural light and the window was upper left in relation to the photo? I'd have turned whatever he was laying on so the light hit him differently. He's backlit here, but if the light had been hitting more over his head, it could have been a bit more flattering and created some nice shadowing.

Great job on the pose, you did a great job of hiding his "boys".

[tasmo2]

+1 for Susan's burn advice! That should take it right out!

I adore this photo! When I saw it I said awww!!! out loud! LOL! So I think you did a great job! I do agree about the positioning of the lighting and getting down a bit more next time you do a newborn. That said Mom and Dad will love this one just the way it is! So basically I have nothing to add from what Susan said.. LOL Except that I really like it!

[evphoto]

Thanks for the cc the light believe it or not was right in front of him. The room is bright yellow though and the sun reflects like crazy sometimes... I am going to try a different position in the room for my next shoot.

As for dodging/burning where do you guys suggest for a tutorial/book on that subject? I have tried to figure it out before and just can't grasp it, which is weird since I can usually figure computer related stuff out quite quickly on my own!

Once again thanks!

[SusanH1970]

If you go to google and search for "dodge and burn photoshop tutorial" and click on videos, there are loads of good ones that come up.