speedlight off camera: Hi, I am doing a newborn photo session tomorrow. (first time ever shooting a newborn). I usually use my speedlight off camera with an umbrella. My question is...

Andrea Loc: Naples, Florida

Hi, I am doing a newborn photo session tomorrow. (first time ever shooting a newborn). I usually use my speedlight off camera with an umbrella. My question is, do I need to adjust the hight of my light stand to match the hight of the baby? At first he will be on a prop type bench, then he will be moved to the floor. Thanks.

ohallboyz Loc: Boston, MA

I just bought an umbrella and haven't used it yet so I don't know but I typically don't use flash with newborns at all. If I did I would definitely bounce it. I have a newborn this week and depending on if they come to me or I go to them I might need to use a flash.

So I would say don't use the flash unless you have to and bounce it. If you have to use the umbrella make sure the flash is turned down or used as fill and hopefully baby will be sleeping anyway. A burst of light could wake the baby up though, but as a fill it might not.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

Andrea wrote:

Hi, I am doing a newborn photo session tomorrow. (first time ever shooting a newborn). I usually use my speedlight off camera with an umbrella. My question is, do I need to adjust the hight of my light stand to match the hight of the baby? At first he will be on a prop type bench, then he will be moved to the floor. Thanks.

Well...my first comment is when you say you are "doing a session" I'm hoping that all you mean is that you are going to take some pictures of a baby. IF what you mean is that you are doing this for a "client" then you shouldn't be asking this question...

Having said that...the light direction and distance has to always be accounted for....

Are you shooting manual speedlight or TTL?

You can't just throw a light up in the room and move the baby around at will and have the light be the same..it physically can't happen.

Andrea Loc: Naples, Florida

Wow, that was rude! Not sure why I feel the need to explain myself to someone who is so condescending but here goes. I am doing a "session' however, it is for a friend. I do not charge. Although I am new to photography, (not even 2 years) I think I have some natural ability. Two of my photo's have won 1st place in photography contests and one came in second place. I have also sold some images on Photo Stock. That being said, I have been teaching myself on how to use my speed light off the camera & that is how my question came about. Thanks for your support...

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

Andrea wrote:

Wow, that was rude! Not sure why I feel the need ... (show quote)

I'm sorry that you're that thinned skinned that I offended you....but I'm glad that you aren't charging someone money while you learn your craft on the job.

Jusoljoe Loc: Texas

Just remember that the light, any light, must cast shadows and those shadows must create a pleasing sculpture of the subjects features. Babies are soft and cuddly so the light should emphasize that. Normally, portrait lighting is from above subjects eye level and to one side so as to cast those shadows...which, in this case, should be soft...unless you are going for a very contrasty effect, of course. Just some thoughts to consider....

Joe

Andrea Loc: Naples, Florida

Thanks Joe. I usually put the speedlight with umbrella to my right. The height is above the subjects but pointing down slightly. I hope this is correct. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

LaughBrian Loc: Tn

rpavich wrote:

quote=Andrea Wow, that was rude! Not sure why I ... (show quote)

You need a new hobby other than forum troll!!!!!!!!!

Bridges Loc: Memphis, Charleston SC, now Nazareth PA

Hi Andrea,
While some of the suggestions do seem a bit harsh, don't discount some of the content value. Some of the best newborn shots are done with natural light. Try to find a window that allows good light to fall on your subject and take along a couple of white foamcore boards. They are inexpensive and can be placed on the floor in such a way to give some really good fill light from what is coming in a window.

lathropski Loc: Boise, ID

LaughBrian,
I have learned a great deal from Rpavich's many posts. I would certainly not call him a forum troll. He may be direct, but not rude, and is quite knowledgeable.

sportyman140 Loc: Juliette, GA

KUDOS.....!!!!!

Andrea wrote:

Wow, that was rude! Not sure why I feel the need ... (show quote)

sportyman140 Loc: Juliette, GA

If you have a reflector for the floor shots that would be nice too, Sometimes the flash makes newborns upset and nervous.

Andrea wrote:

Hi, I am doing a newborn photo session tomorrow. (first time ever shooting a newborn). I usually use my speedlight off camera with an umbrella. My question is, do I need to adjust the hight of my light stand to match the hight of the baby? At first he will be on a prop type bench, then he will be moved to the floor. Thanks.

sportyman140 Loc: Juliette, GA

Kudos to you too :) ..........!!!!!!!!!!!

LaughBrian wrote:

quote=rpavich quote=Andrea Wow, that was rude! ... (show quote)

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

Andrea wrote:

Hi, I am doing a newborn photo session tomorrow. (first time ever shooting a newborn). I usually use my speedlight off camera with an umbrella. My question is, do I need to adjust the hight of my light stand to match the hight of the baby? At first he will be on a prop type bench, then he will be moved to the floor. Thanks.

I used to do in-home photography of babies (many years ago). I used a portable back drop and a basic three point lighting set-up:
slaved flash on the backdrop, slaved snooted flash as a "hair-light" (yeah some babies have none!) and the main off to the right with the umbrella positioned slightly above the child.

In all cases, the welfare/happiness of the infant comes first. Don't neglect natural light pics with the mother or father, or baby alone. Mother can help keep baby happy. Timing is important: if they are sleepy/or cranky, reschedule.

Good luck!

oldphotog Loc: The wild west

The distance from the light to the subject affects the amount of diffusion of the light. For infants, you want a very soft diffused light. Move your umbrella in close to the infant, maybe just out of viewfinder sight and turn down your speed light power. A shoot-thru umbrella or softbox would work even better than a plain umbrella. Avoid a silver umbrella. Something else you could try is raise your strobe close to the ceiling (1-2 ft) and use the ceiling to bounce the light for a nice diffuse effect. Experiment with these techniques before your session and have everything set before you bring the infant into the set. Strobist.com has fantastic tutorials on using speed lights. Oh and there is a filter that will help photogs before they become terse online. It's called Prozac. Good Luck!