newborn shoot

[eNZee]

i have a newborn shoot later this month and im slightly stumped on the lighting i should use......
i dont want to use my flash.
any ideas on lighting for newborn shoots???

[Forever Lulu]

Where is the session going to take place, your studio or the clients home?

[eNZee]

clients home

[Trigger]

Maybe use a pop up flash diffuser that or a bit of shopping bag plastic to diffuse the harsh ppop up flash on camera or bounce it with on /off camera flash,that or high ISO and natural light


cheers

[eNZee]

Originally Posted by Trigger

Maybe use a pop up flash diffuser that or a bit of shopping bag plastic to diffuse the harsh ppop up flash on camera or bounce it with on /off camera flash,that or high ISO and natural light


cheers

im really trying to avoid using my flash though. its a newborn. he cant stand regular room light let alone light from a flash....

thanks anyways - i guess ill just figure something out

[MWerner]

If they have a window with some sunlight coming in, the sidelight would be gorgeous and soft. You could set up a reflector on the other side of the baby, facing the window, to lightly reflect on the baby's other side. Make sure you use a tripod.

For this reason, I will someday have a home studio with a huge window to let in that pretty, natural light.

[Saralonde]

I agree with MWerner about the natural light and reflector. If you use your 50mm and open it pretty wide and adjust your ISO, you should be able to get enough light.

[candleman]

Originally Posted by eNZee

im really trying to avoid using my flash though. its a newborn. he cant stand regular room light let alone light from a flash....

thanks anyways - i guess ill just figure something out

funny that.. i went prepared to go 100% natural light, but just tested the flash wiht the baby and he dint even blink.
(he was SIX weeks premature, and was six weeks old...)
the mom and dad said "that wont bug him, we nuke him with flashes all the time"
so i used the flash, but never straight at him

heres some of my baby stuff.
newborn baby boy curled in black basket on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
(that was my first actual newborn)


a big open window is best, i used the ambient from a big window as the key light and added some kick with the flash so i didnt have to have razor thin DOF, or have to raise ISO.
and, the roof acted as a giant softbox, so i had vertical as opposed to 45degree light from the window. the window had blinds so we could adjust the amount of light coming in too
but on a D90 ISO issues are non existent below 1000 anyway

your bigest challenge wil be keepig baby warm and sleepy... and yourself hydrated

another thing.. if its a small room you'll find the 50mm a tad too long for a family portrait.
i only just squeezed them in.. but it wasnt easy leaning backwards over their TV and whatnot

[eNZee]

thanks for your suggestions guys.
ill make my notes from that.
i guess if i bounce my flash too it wont be as bad. its not like im pointing it directly at him.

candleman-i love that set. especially the shot with the parents arms. looks like the baby slept the entire time hehe