Flash photos

[cgipson1]

Low budget.. you can go with 3rd party flashes. Full manual mode is the most accurate in flash use.. you just have to learn to use it that way. It is really easy.

Good
Amazon.com: Yongnuo YN-560 Speedlight Flash for Canon and Nikon: Camera & Photo

Better
Amazon.com: Yongnuo YN-560 II Speedlight Flash for Canon and Nikon. GN58.: Camera & Photo

There are lots of others.. but these do work well and are inexpensive. The Yongnuo's have optical slave triggers so will go off when they see another flash go off. I would start with one... and get another after master that one.

Light modifiers.. you can get a cheap set to play with and upgrade later if you want... umbrellas do work well, and are the cheapest.

These are good!
Amazon.com: Westcott 2332 43-Inch Collapsible Umbrella Flash Kit: Camera & Photo

These are Junk, but would work....
Amazon.com: CowboyStudio Single Flash Shoe Swivel Bracket Kit with 1 Mounting Bracket, 1 Umbrella, and 1 Stand Stand: Camera & Photo

I would stay away from constant light kits.. they are cheap, usually junk, and they do not provide enough light for people photography (require long exposures).... unless you spend major bucks!

will these still work off camera with a wireless trigger like this Amazon.com: Yongnuo 2.4GHz Wireless Flash Trigger/Receiver and Shutter Remote for Canon 1D/5D/7D/10D/20D/30D/40D/50D DSLR: Camera & Photo

Wireless triggers would work great... sure... but as I mentioned, they have Optical Slave Trigger capability also! Make one go off... they all go off! The wireless are more convenient though... I would recommend that!

 

[cgipson1]

do you have a window? That is what I would use You don't NEED all that stuff to take a decent pic. Especially since it is your baby and you will have all the time in the world to wait around for perfect light! Rather than spending $$$ on lighting I would invest in a nice lens with ability to use a wide aperture.

These aren't the best examples in the world but I have only done one newborn shoot at it was months ago. Taken using window light:

Natural (AMBIENT) light is nice when you have it.. but what about shots at night? Or on a really cloudy day, when it is DIM inside? Flash allows shots ANYTIME!

 

[cgipson1]

I am going to order them from basically wherever someone tells me is the best place to, B&H or Adorama would be fine since my local shop kinda sucks. Speaking of which... I just went down there and they had a Nissin speedlite and they told my Nissin makes canon and Nissin brand is much better.... do you know anything about this?

Not sure if Nissin makes Canon or not.. but I do know that Nissin IS NOT BETTER! lol!

Adorama, B&H, Amazon (usually the better stuff is from Adorama or B&H through Amazon, anyway!)

 

[sactown024]

Low budget.. you can go with 3rd party flashes. Full manual mode is the most accurate in flash use.. you just have to learn to use it that way. It is really easy.

Good
Amazon.com: Yongnuo YN-560 Speedlight Flash for Canon and Nikon: Camera & Photo

Better
Amazon.com: Yongnuo YN-560 II Speedlight Flash for Canon and Nikon. GN58.: Camera & Photo

There are lots of others.. but these do work well and are inexpensive. The Yongnuo's have optical slave triggers so will go off when they see another flash go off. I would start with one... and get another after master that one.

Light modifiers.. you can get a cheap set to play with and upgrade later if you want... umbrellas do work well, and are the cheapest.

These are good!
Amazon.com: Westcott 2332 43-Inch Collapsible Umbrella Flash Kit: Camera & Photo

These are Junk, but would work....
Amazon.com: CowboyStudio Single Flash Shoe Swivel Bracket Kit with 1 Mounting Bracket, 1 Umbrella, and 1 Stand Stand: Camera & Photo

I would stay away from constant light kits.. they are cheap, usually junk, and they do not provide enough light for people photography (require long exposures).... unless you spend major bucks!

will these still work off camera with a wireless trigger like this Amazon.com: Yongnuo 2.4GHz Wireless Flash Trigger/Receiver and Shutter Remote for Canon 1D/5D/7D/10D/20D/30D/40D/50D DSLR: Camera & Photo

Wireless triggers would work great... sure... but as I mentioned, they have Optical Slave Trigger capability also! Make one go off... they all go off! The wireless are more convenient though... I would recommend that!

yes but if i didnt have a trigger and used the optical slave trigger i would need at least 2 flashes right? and one would have to be on the camera.

 

[MLeeK]

I am going to order them from basically wherever someone tells me is the best place to, B&H or Adorama would be fine since my local shop kinda sucks. Speaking of which... I just went down there and they had a Nissin speedlite and they told my Nissin makes canon and Nissin brand is much better.... do you know anything about this?

the baby is due thursday haha C-section due to breached position.

I have bought photo outfits like the cute hats nd diaper covers etc, and some cheesecloth wraps, no teddy bears : / I plan to get some baskets/crates and faux fur this weekend and some sort of floordrop weather it is a fluffy blanket or an actual floordrop.

so 2 flash is out of the question right now since I am buying a 50mm also.

so it sounds like i would need a setup like this:

speedlite
wireless trigger
reflector (stand for reflector?)
softbox or umbrella to shoot through
stand for my speedlite and softbox (does one stand do both?)

list is probably wrong again haha... let me know if i got it right

I'll go pull you a list from Adorama in a minute. I happen to know their stuff better than B&H, but either one is going to be the same.
You have the right list so far here. The YN speedlights are probably out of the question seeing how they usually come from outside the US and you aren't going to get them in time to do newborns. It can take up to a month.

 

[MLeeK]

What camera brand?

 

[cgipson1]

I am going to order them from basically wherever someone tells me is the best place to, B&H or Adorama would be fine since my local shop kinda sucks. Speaking of which... I just went down there and they had a Nissin speedlite and they told my Nissin makes canon and Nissin brand is much better.... do you know anything about this?

the baby is due thursday haha C-section due to breached position.

I have bought photo outfits like the cute hats nd diaper covers etc, and some cheesecloth wraps, no teddy bears : / I plan to get some baskets/crates and faux fur this weekend and some sort of floordrop weather it is a fluffy blanket or an actual floordrop.

so 2 flash is out of the question right now since I am buying a 50mm also.

so it sounds like i would need a setup like this:

speedlite
wireless trigger
reflector (stand for reflector?)
softbox or umbrella to shoot through
stand for my speedlite and softbox (does one stand do both?)

list is probably wrong again haha... let me know if i got it right

I'll go pull you a list from Adorama in a minute. I happen to know their stuff better than B&H, but either one is going to be the same.
You have the right list so far here. The YN speedlights are probably out of the question seeing how they usually come from outside the US and you aren't going to get them in time to do newborns. It can take up to a month.

many places stock the Yongnuos.. including Amazon (in stock with free 2 day shipping for prime members!)

 

[sactown024]

I have a canon T2i

It would be nice if I can get the Yongnuos, then i could buy 2 and they sell a double trigger set pretty cheap.

 

[jaicatalano]

That first photo ROCKS. It almost makes me want to have another baby. Almost.

do you have a window? That is what I would use You don't NEED all that stuff to take a decent pic. Especially since it is your baby and you will have all the time in the world to wait around for perfect light! Rather than spending $$$ on lighting I would invest in a nice lens with ability to use a wide aperture.

These aren't the best examples in the world but I have only done one newborn shoot at it was months ago. Taken using window light:

 

[MLeeK]

These are cheap options. If well cared for they will last a long time, but be aware they are not top of the line.

To mount your speedlite to the stand Adorama Universal Swivel Holder - Umbrella Bracket 781404 This will also hold your shoot through umbrella
Stand Adorama 7.5in Chrome Kit Light Stand w/ 1/4in Thread STAND8
Shoot thru Umbrella Adorama U40T 40in Translucent Umbrella U40T
Trigger/receiver Flashpoint 4 Channel Radio Remote Control, 65ft Range MT04

Total on that $78.10 Plus shipping/tax

Still need to order a speedlite.

 

[MLeeK]

This amazon seller says the YN to you on Wed 8/15 if ordered in the next hour or so
Amazon.com: Yongnuo YN-560 Speedlight Flash for Canon and Nikon: Camera & Photo

 

[cgipson1]

This amazon seller says the YN to you on Wed 8/15 if ordered in the next hour or so
Amazon.com: Yongnuo YN-560 Speedlight Flash for Canon and Nikon: Camera & Photo

That is the older version of the Yongnuo.. they redesigned it to make it easier to use.. the 560 II. Highly recommend that one... (in my post above!)

 

[sactown024]

wow thats fast shipping on those speedlites, are they good flashes?

thanks for the list thats really cheap for all that stuff, tempted to order it now lol! how does this trigger compare to the one you listed, only asking cause it comes with 2.
Amazon.com: CowboyStudio NPT-04 4 Channel Wireless Trigger for External Speelights with 1 Trigger and 2 Receivers (NPT-04+extra receiver): Camera & Photo

 

[MLeeK]

Those are the Yongnuo speedlites we have been talking about all along here.
The trigger set you found is fine!

 

[sactown024]

Those are the Yongnuo speedlites we have been talking about all along here.
The trigger set you found is fine!

do you think a boom arm is necessary at this point or can i afford to hold off on that, assuming I would buy 2 of those flashes.