My friend asked me to photograph her six month old baby at her home. Any advice? Is it ok to use flash?

Im no expert but i would refrain from using flash. use available light (window light or outdoor light) let the baby be on his/her "own world" when shooting. :)

i've been photographing babies on occasion and i guess flash is fine as long as it's not aimed directly or bounce it. give at least one meter afar from the subject.

My friend asked me to photograph her six month old baby at her home. Any advice? Is it ok to use flash?
Try this... Get the baby's favorite toy or anything that can get his/her attention and hold it near your camera... If you need to use a flash, bounce it so that it doesn't hurt the baby's eyes... The rest is up to you :) Goodluck.

I just spent an afternoon shooting my godchild (7 months). I used a fast lens (50mm 1.8) and punched up the ISO a bit (100-400) to allow me to get good shots indoors. This was late aftrenoon with good window light.

I also took some shots with flash (bounced and with omnibounce) but none were as apealing as those taken with ambient light. I have also found some babies to be surprised by the flash going off.

I'd suggest you bring lots of memory and keep on shooting as their expressions change so quickly. The child might also be coorperative for only a short time so get the shots in while you can (although the times when they are antsy, sleepy or distracted can yeild great expressions).

I don't think you have to worry anyway, as long as the shots are in focus you wont have a problem. Somehow parents will always love pictures of their childern. :)

Hi JP,

As mentioned above try to shoot with much available light as you can...Have the baby near a big window and when using flash try not to point the flash directly to the baby's eyes.

Ask the mother what time the baby is usually playful if you want to get happy pics. Babies are uncooperative specially if they are hungry or sleepy...:)

if your using a 50mm 1.8 and using large apertures make sure that the eyes are sharp...:)

hth,

Ang dami na palang reply! Thanks guys. Will post pics as soon as the shoot pushes through so you can tear... este, critique them.

hi! i'm looking for a thread on taking photos of infants, particularly new borns, and i guess this was the closest one. and i hope i'm right. :Grin:

anyway, my first child is 5 weeks old and i guess, i would be "grounded" for a year perhaps from EBs (but no regrets, of course). and most likely, my subject matter would be my daughter. but taking photos of infants (0-6 months) is not that simple and easy as i expected.

most of the time, the results are...

1. blurred - baby's motion are uncontrollable (i usually shoot on manual mode, but due to disappointment, i end using auto-sports mode)

2. dark - natural light is not available these days, wherein most of the time it rains. if it is, i have to bring my baby to a window.

can you share any tips? any professional infant shooters out there?

also, is the 28-135mm a good lens to use for taking photos of infants? i'm quite disappointed with it right now. any suggestion for applicable lens?

tia :)

POst those pics guys!

From my own experience with my daughter, who is 6 months old now, flash is ok as long as you bounce or diffuse it. I have taken photos of her since she was at the nursery room, and now, whenever I bring out my camera, she looks at me as if she knows what I am going to do next.

For the TS, photograph at the level of the baby, meaning, within eyesight perhaps, and not looking down at him/her, since she is already 6 months old and can lie on her tummy already.

As what the others have said, try to know the usual time the baby doesnt have tantrums.

Bring props, the parents would love it.

Try to have a mix of "staged" and candid shots.

And make sure you have extra batteries and memory, I'm sure you'll be shooting a lot.

I'll shamelessly post shots of my daughter, all taken before her 6th month, and all using flash.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2473/3706085218_52b606b5c2.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3611/3496998358_0270434ed4.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3545/3422757993_88e54a204e.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3582/3420676858_ccc3869dbe.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3393/3422760111_bdc8c1908f.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2446/3621973836_d81b3bbaf0.jpg

You can tell I'm addicted at taking photos of my daughter. Goodluck and post your photos!

Learn how to use flash properly when ambient light simply isn't the best solution in certain scenarios.

From my own experience with my daughter, who is 6 months old now, flash is ok as long as you bounce or diffuse it. I have taken photos of her since she was at the nursery room, and now, whenever I bring out my camera, she looks at me as if she knows what I am going to do next.

For the TS, photograph at the level of the baby, meaning, within eyesight perhaps, and not looking down at him/her, since she is already 6 months old and can lie on her tummy already.

As what the others have said, try to know the usual time the baby doesnt have tantrums.

Bring props, the parents would love it.

Try to have a mix of "staged" and candid shots.

And make sure you have extra batteries and memory, I'm sure you'll be shooting a lot.

I'll shamelessly post shots of my daughter, all taken before her 6th month, and all using flash.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2473/3706085218_52b606b5c2.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3611/3496998358_0270434ed4.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3545/3422757993_88e54a204e.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3582/3420676858_ccc3869dbe.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3393/3422760111_bdc8c1908f.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2446/3621973836_d81b3bbaf0.jpg

You can tell I'm addicted at taking photos of my daughter. Goodluck and post your photos!

I likes the last candid pic! Seems to me that you are using an off cam flash.

Be patient and wait for the wonderful expressions. ;)
http://www.digitalphotographer.com.ph/forum/showthread.php?t=25352&highlight=melchor

I always turn off the AF-assist light or any kind of direct light when I'm photographing babies. No scientific reason, just being safe. Especially the 1st month when the baby's eyes are still developing.

thank you for taking time to read and respond, dear masters! :)
just realized 3 important factors: angles, lighting and patience :D

btw, has any of the past DPP issues featured photographing infants?
if yes, what issue is it?
if no, i hope the admins would be kind enough to consider in future issues, very soon. :Grin:

For the TS, photograph at the level of the baby, meaning, within eyesight perhaps, and not looking down at him/her, since she is already 6 months old and can lie on her tummy already.

As what the others have said, try to know the usual time the baby doesnt have tantrums.

Bring props, the parents would love it.

Try to have a mix of "staged" and candid shots.

And make sure you have extra batteries and memory, I'm sure you'll be shooting a lot.

I'll shamelessly post shots of my daughter, all taken before her 6th month, and all using flash.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2473/3706085218_52b606b5c2.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3611/3496998358_0270434ed4.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3545/3422757993_88e54a204e.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3582/3420676858_ccc3869dbe.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3393/3422760111_bdc8c1908f.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2446/3621973836_d81b3bbaf0.jpg

You can tell I'm addicted at taking photos of my daughter. Goodluck and post your photos!

thanks for sharing your photos. i'll surely post mine very soon. :)

sorry for the OT - if you don't mind asking, what's a TS?

Be patient and wait for the wonderful expressions. ;)
http://www.digitalphotographer.com.ph/forum/showthread.php?t=25352&highlight=melchor

i will, sir.. do my best! :D

thanks for sharing and congratulations to you, sir! :)

btw, has any of the past DPP issues featured photographing infants?
if yes, what issue is it?
if no, i hope the admins would be kind enough to consider in future issues, very soon. :Grin:

just wanted to follow-up on this. tia :)

@Donnil - yes, off-cam flash was used. If not possible, then bounced.

@anthony - TS:Thread Starter

@Donnil - yes, off-cam flash was used. If not possible, then bounced.

@anthony - TS:Thread Starter

@ace - thank you, sir

@ace, winston - how to take care of the shutter's sound? my baby's startled during her sleep when i take photos :(

i'm a new father so here are some of my inputs:

1) turn off focus assist lamp
2) use natural light as much as possible otherwise bounce artificial light
3) for point of view, go down to baby's level. lie in the floor if you have to
4) just shoot and shoot as a baby's expression changes fast
5) just enjoy the task. as mentioned above, all shots will be treasured by the parents...

some of my fave shots of my daughter, Alexa ;-)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3640/3537862996_85d86da451_m.jpg http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2476/3619053810_1f387c1bf6_m.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3402/3646648472_611440f907_m.jpg http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3646/3659442635_609f2ec946_m.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2229/3537053093_ffaf1de4e4_m.jpg http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3297/3667148599_c6ff5cf95f_m.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3463/3725870707_2874586803_m.jpg http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2524/3758363932_fe11ded341_m.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3532/3758418416_7c0d693176_m.jpg

congrats sir...

@ace - thank you, sir

@ace, winston - how to take care of the shutter's sound? my baby's startled during her sleep when i take photos :(

I havent encountered that before. Maybe shoot and shoot until your baby gets used to it? Infants are known to cancel out distracting noises.

i'm a new father so here are some of my inputs:

1) turn off focus assist lamp
2) use natural light as much as possible otherwise bounce artificial light
3) for point of view, go down to baby's level. lie in the floor if you have to
4) just shoot and shoot as a baby's expression changes fast
5) just enjoy the task. as mentioned above, all shots will be treasured by the parents...

some of my fave shots of my daughter, Alexa ;-)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3640/3537862996_85d86da451_m.jpg http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2476/3619053810_1f387c1bf6_m.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3402/3646648472_611440f907_m.jpg http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3646/3659442635_609f2ec946_m.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2229/3537053093_ffaf1de4e4_m.jpg http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3297/3667148599_c6ff5cf95f_m.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3463/3725870707_2874586803_m.jpg http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2524/3758363932_fe11ded341_m.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3532/3758418416_7c0d693176_m.jpg

thank you for sharing, sir ronald and congratulations! :Grin:

There's a thread for posting pics already http://digitalphotographer.com.ph/forum/showthread.php?t=719, keep this thread for tips/techniques.

sorry David, just got excited

New dad to a 4 month old son and dslr newbie. Sharing my thoughts and photos:

1. Got a dslr to get around the blurred baby images.
2. Brought baby out to the front porch to get better lighting.
3. My solution to low light was to get a prime lens.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2483/3810723577_4b4ddbdbd6.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3445/3810723571_7638eb1016.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3522/3811520862_4406c76266.jpg

Bounce the light when ambient light is not enough. It gives a very big soft light source.

http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs189.snc1/6336_138518377393_731007393_3668140_5543681_n.jpg

i'm a new father so here are some of my inputs:

1) turn off focus assist lamp
2) use natural light as much as possible otherwise bounce artificial light
3) for point of view, go down to baby's level. lie in the floor if you have to
4) just shoot and shoot as a baby's expression changes fast
5) just enjoy the task. as mentioned above, all shots will be treasured by the parents...

some of my fave shots of my daughter, Alexa ;-)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3640/3537862996_85d86da451_m.jpg http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2476/3619053810_1f387c1bf6_m.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3402/3646648472_611440f907_m.jpg http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3646/3659442635_609f2ec946_m.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2229/3537053093_ffaf1de4e4_m.jpg http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3297/3667148599_c6ff5cf95f_m.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3463/3725870707_2874586803_m.jpg http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2524/3758363932_fe11ded341_m.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3532/3758418416_7c0d693176_m.jpg


sorry for the ot can't help it.. the photos are very sweet..
:):)

May I invite you to google Tracy Raver Newborn Photographer or visit this site:

http://buzz.yahoo.com/buzzlog/92999?fp=1

benrose

Nice to bump into this thread.. im going to be a dad late this september and i cant wait to take pictures of her.. this thread will surely help a lot.. uhm, everyone used a "lights tipper" before? would it be an effective way to bounce the flash?:)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3215/2520307427_1c0ec721f2.jpg