Sooo….I have my first official newborn photoshoot coming up in just a few days! I am nervous and hoping all goes well. I need in-put on the best settings for indoor with studio lighting. Since I cant count on having enough natural light,depending on what time of day it is. I will be using my 50mm lens and I only have 1 studio/umbrella light. ISO, Fstop and all that The last session I did I just used portrait setting because I could not get it tweaked to my liking!!
THANKS IN ADVANCE!
jwinman
you can use a large white piece of card for a reflector for fill… then you have two light sources…
check out the strobist web site… www.strobist.blogspot.com for lots of info… try practicing various lighting setups with a doll… you can see how it will all work in advance.
jujubean:
thanks for all the great input. If I place my light in front where do I place the white cardboard?
jwinman
don’t worry about the “right f stop” a larger apreture gives you less depth of field, and you need a higher shutter speed with it… start by deciding how much DOF you need, set the apreture, then adjust your speed to suit. allways use the lowest iso possible… leave it on manual, and dial it up only if you can not keep the shutterspeed over about 1/60th of a second for a handheld shot with a 50mm lens, 1/30 with a tripod.
adrian76
I’ve had a few chances to shoot newborns, and I find using what light you have available gets the best results.
You didn’t mention if it was a 50mm 1.8 or a 1.4, but it doesn’t matter too much. Find a nicely lit window to set up near, and use the light from the window to provide lighting.
Use the widest aperture available to you, so 1.8 if that’s the case, and use the depth of field to soften the image and create the mood
You can also get a bit “artsy” with the DoF to create other images..
This way, you’ll have beautiful, flattering photos that have a softness to them that flash lighting won’t give. This particular little bub was only a few days old, and they have very very sensitive eyes (and thin eyelids). I would be careful with the flash because it can bring on the tears pretty quickly.
With a nifty fifty, good available light and good use of spot metering and spot focusing you’ll be able to get great results
jujubean:
50mm 1.4 is what I have. I do prefer using natural light but I have my studio set up in a room with a west facing window. So,If they choose to come in the morning I am afraid it wont be enough light?? Thanks very much.
Laura Retyi
Juju, natural light and yes take a piece of core board, white board (Just in case the nature lighting isn’t enough,(better safe than sorry) and your portraits are always so gorgeous, you are just getting worked up because your getting paid, if it was any friends or other kids you would walk in
without worry and the photos would be great my advise RELAX and ENJOY….Hugs
jujubean:
you are right,if it were family or friends they would turn out fine with no worries!! Where do I place the white core board? Thank-you!!! :)
jwinman
think of the cardboard as a mirror… what ever angle the light hits it at, it will bounce at the exact oposite angle, so you set up the card to place the light where you want it. and remember, when light travels twice as far, there is only 1?4 as much of it… so you can control how bright your bounce is too,
jujubean:
thank-you,I will practice with baby dolls tomorrow!
jwinman
good luck!
OZZREBELXTI
Nothing to add juju all the above info says it all good luck : )
jujubean:
thx buddy!
CJTill
You have no worries with JuJu. Just enjoy, and it will work out fine.
jujubean:
I keep telling myself,dont worry…..thx colin!