New Father...

[rachb]

Hey All, did my first newborn shoot (7 days old!) today with a couple who I had taken maternity photos for a few months ago. This is one of the shots I got, and was wondering what you all think about the over exposure (artistic decision, but shot in RAW so I can reduce that if it looks terrible) and the white background. The walls were green, so I thought this might suit the shot better, but I know there is no separation between them and the wall, does that hurt the image? Also, I was shooting in manual with a 18-55, room had a good bit of natural light, but every time I tried to speed up the shutter speed, even shooting wide open, it wasn't working for me, that's why the shutter speed is so slow... I have never run into this before in well-lit shots so I have no idea what was going on!




EXIF

Camera Canon EOS REBEL T3i
Exposure 0.033 sec (1/30)
Aperture f/3.5
Focal Length 18 mm
ISO Speed 400
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash Off, Did not fire
Exposure Program Manual

[graciousness]

Unfortunately, the focus looks off to me. I guess this is due to camera movement from such a slow shutter speed.

You really needed to use that flash and bounced it........you simply can't restrict yourself with the use of only natural lighting anymore. Bouncing flash is really not that hard - you really just have to give it a go and you'll soon realise how simple it all is.

The background is ok and that's no issue. It's the out of focus (to me) that is off.

The shadow on his neck from the collar is not good. Was there ambient light from lamp in the room that caused that, plus the redness cast on the skin tone?

I would also have taken the shot closer as the baby is hard to see as it is. The light didn't help and the fact that it's so small.

Hope this helps. USE THAT FLASH!

Cheers,

Grace

[rachb]

Thanks for the input, Grace. I'm not sure where that shadow came from on his neck, there were no lights on, but we have two big windows that probably the shadows. I tend to use the noise reducer on LR a good bit, the original is a little bit sharper, but it is still a little out of focus now that I look closely. Redness, I can reduce easily.... should I have mounted the flash on my camera and bounced it off of the ceiling? Or had it to the left or right? I have been practicing flash with my husband, but I'm terrified to use it with my trade shoots, because if I use it incorrectly, there goes the photos. Next shoot, I PROMISE to use flash, and I'll post one of the shots here. Promise, Grace

Thanks for the feedback!

[graciousness]

Don't be scared - it's actually more beneficial to use the flash even if you're not so confident with your client shoots. I'm not quite all that confident yet with flash use, however, I have discovered that it's better to use flash with the shoots than none at all. The trick is to do a couple of test shots and adjust flash output during the shoot. You have to do that anyway everytime you change locations and light changes

Yeah, even on-camera external flash and then bounce is better than nothing. I have to confess, I haven't used external flash on photo shoots yet because one, I always shoot moving kids and there is just no opportunity to set up off camera lighting in those situations. You have to constantly move with children and external set ups (including reflectors) just restrict movement.

With shoots including children on the move, fast shutter speed is crucial. This is where really flash liberates you from the headaches of constantly adjusting settings just to compensate for exposure. With flash including using it outdoors, it really minimises having to adjust your setting so much. Using manual mode with flash is just so much easier than any other modes. You get more consistency using manual and flash.

Just don't try doing any fancy light settings. Yet. Simply use bounce and fill flash and this really makes a world of difference. It really does liberate you from so much worries on exposure.

Learn to adjust flash output with your speedlite and gauge for the amount of ambient light available, then make a decision how much you want flash to play the role. Better to start with less flash and then bring it up a notch or two if required.

Minimise your use of gears when shooting families with children so that you can move around. This means camera body + flash. Forget the reflector with children. You can intimidate children if you have too much gears following them around.

If indoors, then go ahead and set up your flash off camera and light stand in one of the rooms and then shoot away. That is, if you can get the familly/children to stay in that spot where you aimed to shoot them. If that doesn't work, then just simply pop the flash back on the camera and bounce.

For a more broad, even lighting, bounce the flash behind you if there's a wall there onto the subjects in front of you. You get less harsh shadows that way and looks more natural. I also bounce up but just watch out for shadows created under eyes and nose. Bouncing on side walls is also good especially if you have ambient light on the other side. Use side bounce if you also just want a little shadow on the other side of the subject for a little more contrast or drama.

In this scene with dad and the baby, I would put the light set up (flash on stand) camera left. You don't need a lot of light from the flash, just enough to bring them to 'light'. I have a feeling that you did a lot of exposure adjustment in post processing here, so the redness on the skin from having to lift the darkness from the skin possibly blurring their faces from too much adjustment. Just avoid using noise reducer and sometimes, you just have to accept digital noise so you don't lose sharpness where it's required - and that is, their faces. Or use mask layers and only apply noise reduction where required.

Cheers,

Grace

[EmyB]

Just a random point and not to do with technicalities, but I reckon the baby's outfit is too "loud". Dad is dressed nice and classically but not the bub. I reckon newborns look best in the simplest clothing, or just a wrap etc. JMHO though.

[rachb]

Thanks for that response, Grace. I really appreciate you taking the time to write all that out! And yes, the outfit is loud- they just wanted some family photos for their Christmas cards, and had this outfit with a hat and all.. so I went along with what they wanted. I really wanted to do some of the adorable naked baby photos, but he wasn't cooperating- only 7 days old, and he couldn't keep his head up by himself- I don't have kids yet, so I was weary about asking them to pose him certain ways. With every shoot, I'm realizing I'm more of an adult photographer... I am not fantastic with children and babies. Maybe that will change once I have some of my own (words my husband doesn't want to hear for at least another few years ). He told me today I'm not allowed to photograph newborns anymore, judging by all the "awww's" coming from my mouth!

[First Light]

The exposure is a bit bright for me, and I also would like to see the baby closer, but I like the idea behind your pose here. It almost looks to me like the bright like is making the baby squint (which I know he isn't). Just personal preference, but I think I would take the exposure down a notch or two.
I love reading grace's comments about flash. I'm too poor right now to get a speedlight, but not to dream about one! Rach, I look forward to seeing more work from you once you are using your flash!