Complete newbie

[julia4480]

HI everyone!

I just got my first DSLR and am thrilled to delve into the many adventures of photography.

I have a Nikon D3000 with the 18-55mm lens that comes with it. I have not yet purchased anything else mainly due to finances... so I am trying my luck with what I have for now

I have played with my new camera a little bit, am reading my DSLR cameras for Dummies book and have taken some nice little pictures of a friend's newborn.

My question is: Can I, with what I have, take some good newborn pictures at her home that look at least slightly like a professional job? I have some props, as I am also a nanny, but would like to hear any and all suggestions and tips you might have.

Thank you ever so kindly. I am sure I will be back soon with many other questions!

Julia

P.S. I do have a tripod!

 

[reznap]

Someone wrote a terrific thread on this sort of thing...

Ah found it.

http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/people-photography/190903-pullbacks-set-ups-hth.html

 

[suki]

But if you can't get the set up just yet (due to finances) you can still achieve beautiful pictures from home. A dear friend and local photographer of mine shot my son's newborn pictures from inside her home, using natural lighting. She used a bean bag, blanket, and a space heater to keep him warm.
This is one of her pics (Tonee Lawrence Photography)

With newborns, they're small enough that you can place them where the light is and use blankets, sheets, etc as backdrops and still achieve really nice pictures, you just have to practice. The last newborn shoot that I did for a friend had almost NO lighting in their house. They had one window and sadly because of the time of day it was pretty much useless. Even still, i was able to get a few good shots by just upping my ISO and doing some post editing.

Good luck and have fun, I absolutely LOVE newborn/infant photography!

 

[julia4480]

Thank you so much guys and keep it coming I love it!

Suki, how did you take the picture that is your little profile picture? I LOVE that.

I love babies, like I said I am a nanny and have little boys around who are tired of me with my camera LOL. So yes, so much fun!

Thanks again!

 

[suki]

lol, actually my oldest son took that picture since both of my hands were busy at the moment! It was taken with a point and shoot, then I edited in Photoshop Elements (cropped and put against the black background).

You can pick up a copy of Photoshop Elements relatively cheap, I bought version 6 when it was on sale at Best Buy for about $70 but you can also download GIMP and Picasa (sp). I actually will still use Picasa and my PS6 for editing more than Lightroom and CS4.... though, I haven't had time to learn Lightroom so i'm hoping once i have some time to learn it more then I can cut my editing time and get a better work flow process, lol!

 

[julia4480]

I haven't even heard of half of the editing software you mentioned. Hahaha... how do you guys put pictures up in your post?

Oh i have so much to learn.
:blushing: