Playing with my home studio set up

[ababysean]

My main goal here is to be able to photograph newborns, less then 2 weeks old....
I have one SB-600 mounted off camera, with a wireless trigger and shoot through umbrella.
I think I either need another light or something so I can get even lighting, but I'm not sure what.

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[Blake.Oney]

It actually looks pretty good. Newborn shoots look good with dramatic lighting, so the fall off from only having one flash should work just fine.

 

[Emilymarie]

Also, pull ur subject further from the backdrop so it doesn't look too flat

 

[ababysean]

cant. lol the wood floor is only about 3 feet long.
Not so good for the older kids I have (those are my kids) but it would be ok for newborns in baskets and such.

 

[ababysean]

 

[doziergraphic]

what about a reflector? That should be more than sufficient. I bought a piece of highly reflective White board from WalMart. Probably not as perfect as a $45 Circular 5-in-1 Reflector, but it would definitely cover what you're trying to do.

You might even be able to just use a $1.00 piece of posterboard found in any school supply aisle at walmart, kmart, etc.

just a suggestion. looks like you have plenty of light, just need a simple reflector.

 

[vtf]

Is your wallpaper sideways?

 

[ababysean]

Yes! lol I have to fix that.
It is actually my shower curtain while I wait on my fabric to come in the mail!

I'm thinking I had it too bright last night in the editing.....

 

[MohaimenK]

Good job C! Get white boards to use as reflectors if you need light. Try that route for now until you buy another flashunit

 

[ababysean]

Yes, reflectors were in the car and at 10pm, just wasnt worth it! haha

 

[NikonNewbie]

Ok please excuse this very dumb ? but I'm so very interested in this thread..after the light set up is in place...where would you put the white boards? where would you position them and how?

 

[ababysean]

depending on how the natural light is coming in, also will determine where to put the boards.
See how the right of the photos are darker? That is because where she decided to sit was a bit off from my light above camera.
So I need some fill light pushed back that way, so if she is off center from my ONE light, it would also help fill in the shadows.
Really it is just playing around and figuring out, posting pictures on forums like this to get advice.

****and I could be 100% wrong in everything I just typed, because I'm a newbie to indoor off camera flash also.

 

[Aayria]

Hey ababy =) I just have a second, but I wanted to say really quickly that I think your main light maybe be too close. It's looking "hot" on the highlights of your kiddos... The pictures are really sweet, but do you see the shiny parts of their faces/skin that are way brighter than the rest? I like dramatic lighting, but I think just moving your light back a bit would help immensly.

Looks like a fun set up, can't wait to see newborn pictures!

 

[ababysean]

+1
I agree.
I am going to move the sofa to the other wall so I can push the lighting back. Also I'm going to try just to bounce into the umbrella instead of pointing it right at her.
I just need some test subjects, I have to bribe my kids to do anything for me these days regarding photography.
That dress was for next year Halloween, I had to give it to her for the pictures. lol

 

[mwcfarms]

If you shoot through the umbrella and keep it closer doesnt that make it softer than moving in back. Thats what we were taught anyways. Closer and larger the modifier=softer more even light.