1st Baby Pics C&C Please*

BNHPhotography · Nov 13, 2011

This was my first experience as a 'photographer' with an almost newborn baby. Maci is 3 weeks old, her mom, one of my good friends, couldn't meet me any earlier to get newborn photos.

1.

2.

On this one i wish i would've had a better setup to take pictures. We used a recliner and the 'backdrop' was getting wrinkly, and falling down.

MTVision · Nov 13, 2011

The 1st one looks a little soft and the b/w conversion could use a little work. I like how you didn't do any skin smoothing - you can see all the wonderful skin imperfections that all newborns have! Wish her eyes had a little more detail.

The skin color looks a little off (probably due to the background color). The sleeve of the outfit being OOF is a little distracting. I think this shot would have been better with the whole body - I'm sure you have shots like that anyways. They are still cute shots and I'm sure mom will love them!

cpeay · Nov 13, 2011

Looks to be a bit out of focus. Very cute baby!!!

BNHPhotography · Nov 13, 2011

I turned the clarity down. i was going for a soft angelic look on #1, and failed, miserably. If i'm looking for that 'angelic' look in PP how do i achieve it?

MTVision · Nov 13, 2011

BNHPhotography said:
I turned the clarity down. i was going for a soft angelic look on #1, and failed, miserably. If i'm looking for that 'angelic' look in PP how do i achieve it?

Dod you turn the clarity down for the whole image?
You could, in camera raw or Lightroom, use the adjustment brush to paint on the reverse clarity but only on the skin. You don't want the eyes soft. Try messing with the b/w to fix the muddy look and then I think you'll have the look you want!

BNHPhotography · Nov 13, 2011

Will do, and yes i did. I used the 'soften skin' brush on her skin and turned the clarity, and contrast down. I didn't want a really 'harsh' black and white conversion, but muddy is muddy. I'll play with it and see what i can come up with!

MTVision · Nov 13, 2011

BNHPhotography said:
Will do, and yes i did. I used the 'soften skin' brush on her skin and turned the clarity, and contrast down. I didn't want a really 'harsh' black and white conversion, but muddy is muddy. I'll play with it and see what i can come up with!

Not sure what program you have but you could try a gaussian and/or surface blur on the skin and adjust it until it looks right.