Wee Lass
Oct, 2014Views
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken in our guest bedroom with a cheap portable studio setup In Belfast. I’m a self taught photographer, so every shoot is pretty much a new learning experience for me.Time
This is probably my favourite newborn image I have taken so far. A family friend came around for a visit and we decided that an impromptu photoshoot would be fun with her little one as it was a sunny autumn day. I quickly set up the studio and the child was an absolute dream to work with! Unfortunately two minutes after this photo was taken we had a “leak” which ended our photoshoot! This was taken October 2014 around 2pm.Lighting
The room that we were in faces to the east which provides good natural lighting for photographs. My wife held a silver reflector just above the baby to fill in the shadows. I also used a speedlite which I bounced off the ceiling.Equipment
This was shot with a Canon 100d/rebel SL, an 18-55mm f3.5 lens, a YN-560 III speedlite, and a home studio set up.Inspiration
I had been interested in photographing newborns as I had been inspired by many artists in the past. I also really wanted to be able to give our close friends some lasting memories of the new baby. I studied ideas on posing and how to have a successful session with newborns by watching Ana Brandt and her videos. These all combined really helped give me the confidence that I could accomplish the shot I wanted. Though it helps when the child is in good form!Editing
I did do some post processing such as converting to back and white and playing with the contrast. I also softened the child’s skin a tad more from what it already was and cleaned up and dry skin patches. Finally, I added just a hint of selective colour to the child’s eyes and made the eyes a little more sharp so it would catch the viewers eyes.In my camera bag
I have recentIy been upgrading my lenses so at the moment I carry my Canon 100d, 85mm f/1.8, 28mm f/1.8, YN-550 III speedlite and the Amazon basics monopod. I am really learning to love prime lenses as they force me to really consider the shot that I am wanting to take. I keep the speedlite and monopod with me just in case.Feedback
Study, study, study! If you can be mentally prepared for a session then things can go a lot easier for you. I watched multiple videos and read multiple articles on newborn photography and I still go back and refer to those before I go into my next session. I also found that you can’t always look in the viewfinder the entire time you are photographing, typically your’e playing peekaboo! Have one finger on the shutter at all times because you never know when that moment will happen. Most importantly though is to have fun! This is mostly a hobby for me and I allow my heart to get involved with it. Shooting for yourself or for your friends and family is a great way to photograph.
