Suggestions for Newbie Photographer with Newborn Shoot This Weekend

[born2teachsc]

I am what you would call a novice photographer. I have read bunches of books about photography and have a pretty good grasp of shooting pictures where I live and have been happy with the results of them. However, my sister just had twins and she asked me if I would be interested in visiting (4 hr drive..fun..)so I could take their pictures this weekend. She lives in a small apartment that doesn't really have good lighting though which is something I'm a little concerned with. A lot of her windows have that condensation moisture trap between them and just aren't ideal like the lighting I have where I live at the beach.
I have a starter camera, Canon EOS Rebel T3, just to get me in the door for taking pictures. I purchased 2 extra lenses to go with the kit lens: 75-300mm and 50mm f/1.8. I also have the Westcott 5 in 1 Reflectors and gray/white/black cards for custom WB. I made DIY props such as a backdrop stand and wood floor panel out of bead board, and I have lots of other props and blankets.

I'm thinking I need to buy something else for this weekend's shoot like a macro lens, pop up flash bounce/diffuser, and _______.

My questions are:

1. What do you suggest I buy and use for this shoot?
2. I've never used a macro lens. I've seen the tulip flower on the lenses that I have already and have put my camera in the setting same setting, but my flash pop up comes up and I just didn't know what suggestions there would be for that setting or if I should just never use it.

I think my nerves are just shot and I'm so scared of messing up that I'm forgetting everything that I've been doing since getting my camera. I worry I'll be using a tape measure to measure exactly where I should stand when taking a picture to get the correct depth of field/background fade. I just need some suggestions as a way of easing nerves.
Thanks so much!!!

 

[Designer]

Zanax.

Then rent, borrow, or purchase a speedlight that you can bounce off ceiling, walls, or a large white reflector. The built-in flash is not going to give very good results even if modified, due to the position of it relative to the lens.

So no tripod, then, huh? You are going to make your nerves even worse trying to watch the tape measure, the subjects, the lights, the reflectors, and it's going to turn into a nightmare. Rent, borrow, or purchase a tripod and inexpensive cable release as well. Then you can measure and then forget the measurement for the shot.

I can't envision using the macro feature, even if you use the lens for the portraits.

ps: Don't drive with the Zanax.

 

[Derrel]

Forget the tape measure. Renting, or buying, a bounce-able speedlight is a decent suggestion. If you put a speedlight in the hotshoe, and can angle/swivel the flash head so that it bounces off of a large white wall, or off of the 5-in-1 reflector, and can get what's called "a good bounce", you should be able to create some lighting that's from a large source, and which will be relatively soft lighting.

Twins means two babies, two sets of eyes, twice the movement of one baby...that's why flash would be helpful. At 400 ISO, bounce flash ought to enable to you set an f/stop of about nf/7.1 on the 50mm lens, and have enough depth of field to get the two babies into good focus at close-ish distances--PROVIDED that the camera back is more-or-less parallel to the way the babies are positioned. If they are laying down, on their backs, or are propped up on their backs on a wedge or pillows, and the camera back is more-or-less parallel with their bodies, then there will be enough DOF to get good,sharp focus.

Work towards making five or six GOOD pictures, not 50 to 100 crappy, average shots.

 

[manicmike]

If the ceilings are low enough, tape a business card at a 45 degree angle to your popup flash and bounce the flash off the ceiling.

 

[wyogirl]

Tips:
Keep the room hot, like 80 degrees hot so the babies are comfortable
Feed the babies right before the shoot
Let them get sleepy and then you can pose away.
A small bean bag chair makes a good baby poser if you put a rubber band around the excess bag and make it kind of firm, or as firm as a bean bag gets. Blankets make great backdrops for babies... lots of blankets that are double bed size, various colors and textures.
Use Puppy Pads under back drops if babies are diaper free... it makes cleaning up messes easier.

 

[born2teachsc]

Forget the tape measure. Renting, or buying, a bounce-able speedlight is a decent suggestion. If you put a speedlight in the hotshoe, and can angle/swivel the flash head so that it bounces off of a large white wall, or off of the 5-in-1 reflector, and can get what's called "a good bounce", you should be able to create some lighting that's from a large source, and which will be relatively soft lighting.

Twins means two babies, two sets of eyes, twice the movement of one baby...that's why flash would be helpful. At 400 ISO, bounce flash ought to enable to you set an f/stop of about nf/7.1 on the 50mm lens, and have enough depth of field to get the two babies into good focus at close-ish distances--PROVIDED that the camera back is more-or-less parallel to the way the babies are positioned. If they are laying down, on their backs, or are propped up on their backs on a wedge or pillows, and the camera back is more-or-less parallel with their bodies, then there will be enough DOF to get good,sharp focus.

Work towards making five or six GOOD pictures, not 50 to 100 crappy, average shots.

I have a tripod. Forgot to mention that. I can look into a Speedlight definitely. So there's no other lenses you think I should get? I was actually thinking of upgrading my camera but I don't think that would be good to get something new this late in the game. So explain this cable release bc I thought my camera being such a low level camera didn't allow for external remote uses. Are these recommendations useable still with my camera? Zanax yes. Driving no.

 

[wyogirl]

I think that shooting newborns with a tripod isn't practical, so you don't need a cable release. With newborns you have to move the camera and yourself way too much for a tripod to be of any use. If you use a speedlight, you should be able to get a workable shutter speed for hand held use.

Your camera with the 50mm 1.8 lens stopped down to about 2.8 should do a good job. The speedlight either pointed up at the ceiling or off a wall/reflector should work as well.
Expect to spend HOURS doing this though. You have two babies, both of whom will need fed, changed, cuddled etc all at different times.

 

[pixmedic]

just come back in 5 years when they can follow directions. :mrgreen:

seriously though, flash and a bounce card will work wonders.
I use a Rogue Flashbender. you can get them in a few different sizes and hey are extremely versatile.

 

[born2teachsc]

I might need that 5 years to feel comfortable and be able to afford everything. Ha! So what Speedlight is best to use? I read mixed reviews about the one endorsed for my camera and then there's the Japanese's versions. If I use a speed light with my reflectors, I won't need to put the diffuser on anymore? Guess I'm trying to think what to do with that. Also will the fact that my camera doesn't have spot metering be an issue? I was looking at flash meters and thought of this question which was why I just asked. Y'all are great! I'm excited and nervous at the same time.

 

[Designer]

I have a tripod. Forgot to mention that. I can look into a Speedlight definitely. So there's no other lenses you think I should get? I was actually thinking of upgrading my camera but I don't think that would be good to get something new this late in the game. So explain this cable release bc I thought my camera being such a low level camera didn't allow for external remote uses. Are these recommendations useable still with my camera? Zanax yes. Driving no.

I admit to not being terribly experienced at photographing newborns, but I was thinking that if the camera and flash are not moving anywhere, you could concentrate more on the poses. The same for the cable release. You should consider that accessory because they are inexpensive and useful for many situations. Consult your owner's manual as to what cable to get and where it attaches. If the answer is "no way, Jose", then you'll have to press the shutter using your own finger. (bummer)

Just because I would use a tripod doesn't mean everyone should. Newborns don't (can't) move much anyway, so set up your shot, make minor adjustments to the poses, step back, and snap one off when it looks right.

The 75-300 lens is not going to be very useful for this session. I'd use the "kit" or the "50". Actually I'd probably use focal lengths of less than 50mm, so the 18-55mm would be my first choice. That and the speedlight.

And Zanax. (though not really)

 

[Designer]

I might need that 5 years to feel comfortable and be able to afford everything. Ha! So what Speedlight is best to use? I read mixed reviews about the one endorsed for my camera and then there's the Japanese's versions. If I use a speed light with my reflectors, I won't need to put the diffuser on anymore? Guess I'm trying to think what to do with that. Also will the fact that my camera doesn't have spot metering be an issue? I was looking at flash meters and thought of this question which was why I just asked. Y'all are great! I'm excited and nervous at the same time.

A flash meter would be nice, but you would have to learn yet another thing. I don't recall what camera you have? If your speedlight supports iTTL, (intelligent through the lens), then I wouldn't worry about setting the flash power.

The flash directed toward a reflector is better in many ways than a diffuser on the flash. What you are aiming for is the light source being LARGE, as in; the biggest area that is available, so bounce it off the ceiling, a wall, or any large white card. I have several large sheets of "foamcore". You could also get a white posterboard. Perhaps you could ask the mom to hold it, but you'll have to keep telling her to turn it a little this way or that. Most people will not have the patience to do it in just the right way. The other way is to simply tape it up onto something tall, like a stepladder, or whatever. If the walls and ceiling are painted yellow or green for instance, then you'll be glad you have a white posterboard with you.

 

[born2teachsc]

I might need that 5 years to feel comfortable and be able to afford everything. Ha! So what Speedlight is best to use? I read mixed reviews about the one endorsed for my camera and then there's the Japanese's versions. If I use a speed light with my reflectors, I won't need to put the diffuser on anymore? Guess I'm trying to think what to do with that. Also will the fact that my camera doesn't have spot metering be an issue? I was looking at flash meters and thought of this question which was why I just asked. Y'all are great! I'm excited and nervous at the same time.

A flash meter would be nice, but you would have to learn yet another thing. I don't recall what camera you have? If your speedlight supports iTTL, (intelligent through the lens), then I wouldn't worry about setting the flash power.

The flash directed toward a reflector is better in many ways than a diffuser on the flash. What you are aiming for is the light source being LARGE, as in; the biggest area that is available, so bounce it off the ceiling, a wall, or any large white card. I have several large sheets of "foamcore". You could also get a white posterboard. Perhaps you could ask the mom to hold it, but you'll have to keep telling her to turn it a little this way or that. Most people will not have the patience to do it in just the right way. The other way is to simply tape it up onto something tall, like a stepladder, or whatever. If the walls and ceiling are painted yellow or green for instance, then you'll be glad you have a white posterboard with you.

ok I think I am starting to get a better idea now for this shoot. So just to clarify, as well as come to a close, if I use a speedlite should I not plan on placing the babies near my sister's crappy window? I just have haven't really integrated a flash I just always bumped up my ISO so I'm a little nervous that's all. I guess when I have so many pieces like white/gray cards, reflectors, and poster boards I get confused with what to use and when to use it. I have only taken one photography class and am planning on taking another one in a month. My sister just had to have the twins early. Haha

 

[born2teachsc]

And when you say reflector have the speedlite bounce off my reflector, that wouldn't be a soft box would it? I have the 5 in 1 reflectors that are like gold, white, silver, and black. Just making sure I got it right.

 

[Derrel]

And when you say reflector have the speedlite bounce off my reflector, that wouldn't be a soft box would it? I have the 5 in 1 reflectors that are like gold, white, silver, and black. Just making sure I got it right.

YES...a reflector could easily be the 5-in-1 reflector with the silver side facing the flash which is angled so it bounces off of the reflector, and the light hits the twins.

Try and loosen up...the idea is to get the babies cleaned up and positioned in a nice, toasty warm room, so that they are "on display" on top of some fur throws or blankets or whatever, and are "peaceful"...then take some pictures of them.

Don't stress too much over this. You have a d-slr...you can shoot and review photos almost instantly, and see what you are doing, right or wrong.

 

[Designer]

Also, be sure to capture the RAW files. Shoot both JPEG and RAW. You can make better adjustments on the RAW file should they need it.