newborn photography should I use a flash or not use a flash?

[countrybutterfly]

Some people say the flash is bad for newborns. I am wondering if I shoot through umbrella and put it to side if it would still be too much of bouncing off wall? or should I get a light?

 

[John_A_G]

there are no issues with bounced/diffused flash and newborns. As long as you're not subjecting them to an hour long shoot with 500 flashed shots or blasting them strait on with flash from 2 feet away, you'll be fine and so will they.

 

[dad_of_four]

there are no issues with bounced/diffused flash and newborns. As long as you're not subjecting them to an hour long shoot with 500 flashed shots or blasting them strait on with flash from 2 feet away, you'll be fine and so will they.

+1

Although I might choose a slightly higher ISO and/or wider aperture to get more ambient light, and less flash.

 

[John Deerfield]

to get more ambient light, and less flash.

What if the ambient light sucks?

 

[iMac therefore iAm]

can handle supporting the weight of both the camera and flash, then yes, I think they should use the flash - the sooner you start them in good photography habits the better. ;-)

Some people say the flash is bad for newborns. I am wondering if I shoot through umbrella and put it to side if it would still be too much of bouncing off wall? or should I get a light?

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[countrybutterfly]

Well I was thinking if I shoot through the umbrella wont that soften the light alot and wouldn't be as harsh on the babys eyes?

 

[countrybutterfly]

Also heres something else to think about. If im doing newborn photo shoots. And not using flash. How do I accomplish this with a black background. Because black backgrounds the shutter needs to be high and room not so bright. You almost have to use a flash dont you? And thats a popular newborn photo shoot. Can you do it with natural light or do you have to use a flash/light.

 

[acsmith]

Well I was thinking if I shoot through the umbrella wont that soften the light alot and wouldn't be as harsh on the babys eyes?

Shooting through an umberella will reduce the intensity of the flash which would theoretically be easier on the eyes but in a earlier DPR posting on this subject good medical opinion was that flash would not harm newborn eyes. The umberella will soften the light (separate charactristic from intensity) which could vary well improve the photos.

A. C.

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[learnerguy]

For my newborn baby in April and the first initial months, I used a white 35mm film canister cut to size of my D3100 flash. You can get the canisters in a photo lab where they make prints. I picked mine at a local walgreens. Thats the best diffuser to use.

 

[AnandaSim]

Also heres something else to think about. If im doing newborn photo shoots. And not using flash. How do I accomplish this with a black background. Because black backgrounds the shutter needs to be high and room not so bright.

You're mixing up a few things.

A black background absorbs light. Yes. But the baby's skin does not absorb light like black cloth - the baby's skin is the baby's skin - you expose for the baby's skin

Flash is a burst of light. Ambient light is roughly the existing light but it does not have to be. You could go to eBay or the neighbourhood lighting store and get daylight colour big watt bulbs and put them on light stands. Suddenly you have a lot of light and it is not flash.

You can also reflect light from the sides using white or metallic reflectors.

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[Barrie Davis]

There is NO issue with photographing newborn babies with flash. It is safe.

Your concern does you credit, but stop worrying, please.

[Jeeze! I wish this nonsense would go away and STAY away! We have had this scare-mongering about little babies' eyes and flash for 50 years that I know about, despite all the pædiatric experts stating repeatedly that there is no problem, no danger.]
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"Ahh... But the thing is, they were not just ORDINARY time travellers!"

 

[acsmith]

The film canister cut intensity but did little or nothing toward changing the characteristics of the light because it did not increase the size of the light compared to the subject. It is also unlikely that it directed enough light at the ceilings and wall to significantly diffuse the light.

Repeat after me: "Lagre light source = soft light, small light source = hard light."

A. C.

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[Barrie Davis]

The film canister cut intensity but did little or nothing toward changing the characteristics of the light because it did not increase the size of the light compared to the subject. It is also unlikely that it directed enough light at the ceilings and wall to significantly diffuse the light.

Repeat after me: "Large light source = soft light, small light source = hard light."

A tiny diffuser will not necessarily reduce intensity, either.

Within the limits of its available power, in Auto/TTL modes a flashgun will automatically increase intensity to compensate for the losses caused by putting a translucent obstruction in front of it. Under these circumstances all the diffuser will do is slow down recharge, increase battery consumption, and possibly overheat the flashgun if it is persistently fired immediately the ready-light comes up.
--
Regards,
Baz

"Ahh... But the thing is, they were not just ORDINARY time travellers!"

 

[cberry]

Go somewhere it doesn't.
Location, location, location....
IMHO, bad ambient light is usually in not so nice scenery...
cb

 

[Red13]

Practice with dolls before you attack a baby. I find, newborns soft, flash harsh and melding the two will take some forethought and planning.

Mike

 

[Barrie Davis]

Barrie Davis wrote:
Don't take my word for it. Check out this short documentary film.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpSDZQwGRM0&feature=related
--
Regards,
Baz

"Ahh... But the thing is, they were not just ORDINARY time travellers!"