Lens and softened backgrounds

[kimspics]

I am doing more and more of Newborn Photography..I have two qustions.
1) what in your opinion and why is the BEST LENS FOR NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHY??

and if anyone is familiar with keri myers photography, she always has a softened background in the back..How does she do this?? I have tried to call her but cannot get a call back...

[SusanH1970]

I'm familiar with Keri's work...it's gorgeous! Not sure exactly what lenses and camera she uses, but you could get similar effects with your 50mm 1.4. Looks to me like she shoots fairly wide open and then possibly adds a bit more blur to the background in post.

[Murtasma]

She has some very nice newborn photography. The real question is how does she have so many calm sleepy baby pictures. She must pump her studio full of CO2 before a session LOL.

If you really must know she's using a Nikon D700 most of those pictures are shot at F2 higher ISO probably using natural light or possibly some hot lights (edit: website says she's natural light only). Most of those pictures are shot at 50mm distance to subject is usually around 500 - 800mm away using spot metering with no exposure compensation. She probably does some blurring post production as well. I gathered this data by reading the EXIF data off the pictures on her blog by viewing the html source, going directly to the jpg's saving them to my disk and checking out the EXIF data.


She's using CS5 on a Mac BTW.

Nuf information for you?

Do you need her social security number?

[lputman]

She had this tutorial listed on her site for purchase...
Photoshop Tutorials Seattle Newborn and Family Photographer | Keri Meyers Photography

[SusanH1970]

Originally Posted by Murtasma

She has some very nice newborn photography. The real question is how does she have so many calm sleepy baby pictures. She must pump her studio full of CO2 before a session LOL.

Feed the baby right before the shoot, keep the room at about 85 degrees and use a white noise machine. Works like a charm just about every time.

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by Murtasma

If you really must know she's using a Nikon D700 most of those pictures are shot at F2 higher ISO probably using natural light or possibly some hot lights (edit: website says she's natural light only). Most of those pictures are shot at 50mm

If the focal length were any different, Id be tempted to say she was using a DC lens.

[Murtasma]

Originally Posted by SusanH1970

Feed the baby right before the shoot, keep the room at about 85 degrees and use a white noise machine. Works like a charm just about every time.

I try that with my son, he detects that I'm trying to put him to sleep and he gets really pissed off.

[kerimeyers]

Hey All,

I shoot with a D700 and 50mm f/1.4. I generally shoot between f/1.4 and f/2 with newborns to achieve the DOF. Additional fading is done in PS. If you are interested you are welcome to purchase the tutorial listed above.

@Murtsmama, please be sure to delete photos you have of mine saved to your disk. Thanks in advance.

Keri Meyers
Seattle Newborn and Family Photographer | Keri Meyers Photography Seattle Newborn & Family Photographer | Keri Meyers Photography

[Tamster]

No help to your post, but wow I just looked at her site she does have some cute pictures in there! Now i want to know how to do that! lol
Good Luck!

[Amanda0102]

Found this on her blog:

Photoshop Tutorials Seattle Newborn and Family Photographer | Keri Meyers Photography