What did I do wrong?? First shots of newborn

[RebeccaAPhotography]

Hi guys!


So my cousin Jeni was in town n she had a 1 1/2 week old baby so we got together to see what we could pull together. These pics are def unedited b/c I wanted you guys to see what the originals were and to give me tips on how to fix the god for awfulness! I've read to not use flash with a baby to keep the softness but it just did NOT come out right in these pics at all.

Please help me! My friend is due next week and we're gonna use her little boy in the next round!


PHOTO 1
f 5.6
ISO 6400
Shutter speed 1/60
Did use flash.

342 by Rebecca Andresen Photography, on Flickr
What I think I did wrong: My ISO is way too high!
I like: The only thing I like about this photo is its a cute position. Other than that the photo completely sucks
What I dont like: It's too noisy!
WhatI wanted: A cute pose of a newborn with a nice soft picture.

PHOTO 2
f 7.1
ISO 6400
Shutter speed 1/60
NO Flash.


330 by Rebecca Andresen Photography, on Flickr
What I think I did wrong: My f stop is too high, my ISO is too high and my shutter speed too low.
What I like: His positioning thats about it
What I dont like: Just about everything! It's too noisy, his skin tones, Mom refused to do no diaper (shes way to anal, i was like so what if he pees she didn't like that idea too much)
What I was going for: The typical soft newborn photo in a cute position.


PHOTO 3
f 5
ISO 3200
Shutter speed 1/80
No flash

131 by Rebecca Andresen Photography, on Flickr
Pretty much I have the same gripes as the other previous photos

PHOTO 4
f .5
ISO 3200
1/80
No flash


250 by Rebecca Andresen Photography, on Flickr

So like I said b4 I just wanted to show you guys my unedited stuff so I can learn to take a BETTER quality picture.

I AM A COMPLETE FAILURE at these photos and I am ready to be ripped apart! I really want to do better the next shot around so let me hear it!!

 

[OrionsByte]

It's okay to use flash - you just want a nice soft feel to the light which means you need a really big light source (apparent size) - like a big flash umbrella, or bouncing the flash off the opposite wall. If you point the flash directly at them it's going to be harsh and unattractive, but you need some sort of light.

Besides that, please please please be careful when posing babies like that - it's not natural for them and if their arm slips they could damage their neck. I read somewhere on here once that the safest way to do these types of photos is to have the mom (or someone) hold one side of the baby's head, take a shot, then have her hold the other side, take the shot, and then composite them later.

 

[tirediron]

Not a complete failure at all, but definitely a learning experience. I've not shot newborns, so I can't comment as to whether or not flash is appropriate, but like any other indoor portrait, you are going to have to use some sort of light, and I would think that coninuous lighting would start to get way too warm to make it practical.

I think you've pretty much nailed all of the issues with your self-critique, and the fact that you recognize that there are problems shows that you're in the right mindset to learn.

I think one strobe with a good SB or shoot-through umbrella would have turned these from a learning experience to some really nice photos.

Keep shooting!

 

[kirbym2]

What I like - Composition - Some might say "overdone" or cliche - but I think the parents will be happy. While you may want to strive to provide something unique, these types of images are popular for a reason.

Lighting seems to be the major issue - hence the need for such a high iso/slow shutter speed. Do you have a lens that opens any wider than 5.6? DOF becomes a challenge as you open up wider, but it also adds a softness that is appealing with newborn shots. I like number 4 the best. Only other critique would be around the background... too dark for my taste. I know what you were going for, but I think lighter would have been better in this scenario.

 

[RebeccaAPhotography]

Thanks!

I actually did have mom right there!! Lol! We pretty much did exactly what you said! Pretty much we would do 1,2,3, go! then hand on baby again! lol!! I'm a momma and a worry wart!

I had purchased a lighting kit but jeni came b4 the lighting did. The next shoot i'm doing in a couple of weeks I will def be using the kit, and backdrops and more props

I guess everyone has gotta start somewhere I just thought I'd have a better start ROFL!

 

[RebeccaAPhotography]

What I like - Composition - Some might say "overdone" or cliche - but I think the parents will be happy. While you may want to strive to provide something unique, these types of images are popular for a reason.

Lighting seems to be the major issue - hence the need for such a high iso/slow shutter speed. Do you have a lens that opens any wider than 5.6? DOF becomes a challenge as you open up wider, but it also adds a softness that is appealing with newborn shots. I like number 4 the best. Only other critique would be around the background... too dark for my taste. I know what you were going for, but I think lighter would have been better in this scenario.

Yea lighting was my BIGGEST fight! I think thats what makes these so bad! Jeni came 2 weeks early as a suprise. The day she left was the day my lighting came in. My backdrops hadn't come in yet either. I had just a black cloth that she wanted. She didn't want any outside or with the log cabin wood I have in the house else where. or my beautiful 100yr old barn!

 

[Shadowbox]

I like the last photo but I would sub the material he is lying on with something which matches the baseball theme more. They conflict, I think that photo is definitely useable if it wasn't for that. Perhaps you can photoshop in something more fitting to the theme. It seems like you did good on that one with t he rule of thirds too. I would lighten it up in PP.

 

[RebeccaAPhotography]

Thanks! I havent even attempted to edit these. I know theres a way to fix things up its just gonna be a long tough mind numbing process rofl!! I do have others that are decent like the baseball one but I really wanted to put my worst ones up so I could get the critique I need to fix my problems.

Right now I currently have lightroom on my laptop and I just need to put my CS5 on my laptop. Lightroom ain't gona help these! I need the big boy program lol! and youtube tutorials!

 

[bennielou]

I like the posing. They are just way underexposed.

 

[willis_927]

If your going to use natural light you might need to find a room that is brighter. ISO 6400 is too high imo. I dont see a problem going under 1/80th either if you can hold the camera steady... depending on the focal lenght.

 

[g-fi]

Just a note, I would never have a mom take her hand off a baby in that position, even for a second to get the shot. This isn't criticizing you, but even just that second that their hand is off the baby can be a second too long. These shots should ALWAYS always always be composites, no exceptions. If you're having trouble creating a composite shot, hit up Youtube or flikr and check out how it's done, it's all about layers!

 

[willis_927]

Also I wouldnt say they are a complete fail. A bit of PS might go a long ways.

 

[GooniesNeverSayDie11]

Thanks!I actually did have mom right there!! Lol! We pretty much did exactly what you said! Pretty much we would do 1,2,3, go! then hand on baby again! lol!! I'm a momma and a worry wart!

The technique he was advising would allow you to not have to let go of the baby. Its just a good habit to get into if you plan on doing these types of shoots on a regular basis. Nothing would ruin your reputation faster than a baby accidentally getting hurt. I think Orion nailed it, you need to use some flash but use a large source. Off Camera flash with an Umbrella is probably the cheapest and easiest way to achieve this. If you do not have Off-Camera capabilities, but do have a hot-shoe flash that can swivel, you can buy a very large piece of foam core board or attach several together to form a large reflector ( or BUY a large reflector ) and bounce your flash against it. This will help to simulate natural light as if coming through a large window.Other than that, I would maybe get a little closer or change focal lengths in the first two. Too much dead space. Don't be afraid to get in tight. Even if you want to leave room for cropping, those two are still excessive and just throwing away megapixels.

 

[Mesoam]

sure looks like the stock flash, big no no...

 

[RebeccaAPhotography]

Just a note, I would never have a mom take her hand off a baby in that position, even for a second to get the shot. This isn't criticizing you, but even just that second that their hand is off the baby can be a second too long. These shots should ALWAYS always always be composites, no exceptions. If you're having trouble creating a composite shot, hit up Youtube or flikr and check out how it's done, it's all about layers!

OOOOOOH! I get it now! and thats an area that I do want to photograph in more! Thank you! I googled and youtubed, flikrd things and def get it more! thanks for reinsisting this i get it now