First ever newborn shoot

[carlyfan]

My cousin just had a baby and she let my practice on her as I've been wanting to try newborn photography lately. She was so good! It was a little rough at the beginning, but then she settled down and slept beautifully!
Here is little Ariyah at 10 days old.

Her mom was extremely happy with them and I was pleased with them for my first try. But of course I want next time to be even better, so I would love any and all critique! Please feel free to pick this apart!

Particularly I am looking for critique on the lighting. I used all window light. There was a window and an open door behind me about six feet in front of her, but the main light was a window about three feet to her right (camera left). Is her face a little dark on the right side of the frame? I probably should have used a reflector on her left (camera right), but I didn't think it necessary at the time. (Some of the other ones are worse than this one. There are more on flickr.) I also could have turned her at more of an angle to the main light, but because of how our living room is set up it would have been difficult.

Also, how is the pose? Is it bad that her fingers are blocked?

EXIF
Camera Model: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XT
Exposure Time: 1/80 sec.
Aperture Value: 2.00 EV (f/2.0)
ISO Speed Rating: 200
Flash Fired: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode.
Exposure Program: Manual
Focal Length: 85.0 mm

Thanks so much for looking!
Lisa

[sachin_ss]

Hi Carlyfan,

I see, nobody gave critique to your photo! May be because there is nothing to criticise about!! I like the photo very much!!!

[SusanH1970]

The lighting is pretty good. I'm glad you didn't use a reflector camera right - you'd have ended up with really flat lighting. The bit of shadowing is good, it adds depth.

The pose is okay...she looks a bit uncomfortable with her head at such an extreme angle. As you mentioned, the fingers being blocked is a bit distracting, but not a lot.

This might be better as a black and white conversion - the blue and hot pink combo is a bit too much for my taste. That's just me, though.

Exposure and focus look great, and skin tones are good too - which is great, because newborn skin can be very difficult! Good job.

[yulchick]

so cute, the only thing I dont like as much is the hot pink backround...I think a light pink would of worked much better making the shot more inocent/peacefull aspecially since the baby is sleeping..hope that makes sence :P

I know how hard it is to make a newborn pose if the lil one just isnt participating...mine never stayed the way I placed her, would always tilt to the sides just like the one in your photo

[NicolaB]

It is cuuuute!

I have to agree on the hot pink, I would like to see it in B&W too. It is subjective though so if you and Mum like it, you have a winner.

You could use a little fill light to lighten the shadow?

Next time, try smoothing the blanket in front of baby, so the focus is 100% on baby plus you will see the hands. Well done on your first baby shoot. Love the head in hands btw

[carlyfan]

Thanks sachin_ss!

Thanks Susan! I'm glad the lighting is okay. I definitely didn't want flat lighting, but then I thought I might have gone too far the other way.
Yeah, I'll need to work more on posing. I still haven't learned the secret to balancing baby's heads! I'll definitely give B&W a try on this one.

Thanks yulchick! I was originally looking for more pastel colors, but we didn't have anything the right shade of pink. I did have one lighter pink, but it was coming out really dull. I liked the vibrancy of this one, thought maybe it is a little much.

Lisa

[carlyfan]

Thanks NicolaB! Her mom did like the bright pink. The wrinkled blanket was another thing that was bugging me. I'll have to watch out for that next time. Thanks!

Lisa

[Nikon clickchick]

yes thats a great shot and i dont need to tell you anything becuase its great , good work

[carlyfan]

Thanks Nikon clickchick!