My First Attempts at Newborn - 5 Months

Hi all


I am new to the world of photography
I own a Nikon D5200 ( plus a 35mm lens, and a flash )
I also have just aquired a interfit mk2 light set up with extra large rectange softbox
I havent a clue what im doing regarding lighting so here are a few samples of my shots
All are my daughter! She is now 5 months old

Opinions and tips welcome!

( bear in mind i just play with settings and watch youtube guides as i cant afford a course!)



as you can tell i tried with a soft box on the last 3 photos, i have a large rectangle softbox set up to the right of Skye. the others used natural light

Nice job overall. The only ones that I just don't like are the selective color ones. The red is just to much and it draws the eyes instead of the very cute baby.

Nice job and I agree with Don. The selective color takes away from the subject. If this is what you like then thats your call. The color shots and the BW shots are really good and I like them.

thank you for your opinion!
im also not too keen on this style, however my mum n dad wanted a canvas doing so they have the one where she is peeping with the red headband!

thank you
im still learning, ive never had a lesson, i pretty much just fiddle with settings and look up on the web for advise!

Good photos and have to agree with Don and Kevin on the red.

yea i prefer plain old black and white, its my parents that wanted the 'colour-pop' effect!

Very nice job!!!

Pat in NH

Welcome to the forum Nice shots, I to agree about the red being over powering. Maybe could have reduced the saturation or vibrance alittle while still retaining the colour.

thanks again for the feed back.
i need some advice on softboxes and the stuido set up
im not very good with apature and light metering either

They are very nice....I have to say I am with the others.The red is way too much,however,if you take them pretty blue eyes and put them on one of the black and whites I think you would have a wall hangar.She is adorable,congratulations and start saving now for college ...My neice is having a baby in about two weeks,I am told she would like me to take some pics,so I will post them when I do...I am not a portrait guy(more wildlife/abstract stuff) but I have been reading(and looking) at pics about it...Thanks for sharing them

aww thanks for your comment
my advice in photographing babies is warmth!
the warmer the better! babies love to be snug and warm and another is to have lots of spare blankets!

The soft box really gives a nice light.

On the other hand, your logo could be smaller or made less opaque. I understand that you want your name on the picture, but to me, a signature should NOT distract from the picture's content. And for these I think it does.

OK, to start, I totally agree with Don and the others about the selective colour being a little too much. Distracts from otherwise great shots. (Your baby is adorable! )
For a beginner, and someone who doesn't have a clue about what they're doing...you're doing exceptionally well! Your instincts are proving to be very good! Keep watching those You Tube videos! It's working! lol
The use of a softbox was the right call. If you're on a budget, try this place for soft boxes and other lighting kit. I've been using them for years, and am extremely satisfied with their products and prices.
Buy Lighting & Studio Accessories, Cheap and Quality Lighting & Studio Accessories on Linkdelight.com

thanks alot appreciate the feedback

I don't want to overemphasize the selective color but when doing a monochrome, the viewers eyes tend to get drawn to areas of deep contrasts. Also try to understand better how ambient light, flash power, flash to subject distance and light source size affect the settings you would need to achieve what you want. It won't be easy but it is essential especially when using flashes with ambient light. I'm not an expert but I know that good exposure is imperative to make a great photograph. MHO. Finally, you are doing good and I can see you are inherently creative.



Typed with two fingers on a bright shiny doodad.

Is is this any better? Her name is Skye!
im still colour popping!

And another I took today

Beautiful shoot, what a darling little blue eyed girl.

The "rule" I was taught many years ago was to keep eye catchlights at 10 and 2 o'clock.

In January, our photo group had a presentation by Stacy Larsen, a newborn/maternity specialist, among other things, and it looks as though you've got some of the same techniques. Stacey did say she prefers to use natural lighting for her shots.

She has a blog, Blog | Stacy Larsen Photography and a website, Stacy Larsen Photography | South Tampa Photographer | Maternity, Newborn, Children, Family, High School Senior , if you so choose to visit to get ideas.

Very nice shots, though.

WM

Nice shots. I did my first newborn shots the other day. Baby was fussy and hard to shoot. I couldn't get a good shot.