Help preparing for Mother/Infant shoot

[Aaron Koolen]

Hi all, first time poster, long time feed reader and new photographer.

I popped in to visit a friend and her 5 month old that I hadn't seen in a while and took my camera with me. While there I asked if I could take a few photos, some she was very pleased with so she wants me to go back and get some other photos for her. It will be a casual job, low stress and will probably be just natural lighting as I have only just purchased a portable flash unit and/brella etc.

I'm wondering if anyone has any specific tips for things to definitely do or not do on the shoot to get the best from the low end shoot? Any specific links to sites or forums?

And finally, a more general question but something that I could see myself wanting to do for this. Often I see photos taken where the background is black and so is mum or dad (In a black jersey for instance) but skin and baby is lit. How is this achieved as I would have thought light would spill onto the black clothes/background?

Thanks

[oldwolf]

Originally Posted by Aaron Koolen

And finally, a more general question but something that I could see myself wanting to do for this. Often I see photos taken where the background is black and so is mum or dad (In a black jersey for instance) but skin and baby is lit. How is this achieved as I would have thought light would spill onto the black clothes/background?

Thanks

Light the baby and skin up real bright and your camera should underexpose the black background so it's really dark.

[Aaron Koolen]

Originally Posted by oldwolf

Light the baby and skin up real bright and your camera should underexpose the black background so it's really dark.

Yeah that was what I was thinking, but I've seen people apparently do this with just natural light. Guess I'll have to try and see if the dynamic range is large enough to achieve the look.

Cheers