Baby pics 1 - a learning experience begins

[Dave Humphries]

Prompted by the arrival of my first grandchild; born of my eldest daughter on the last day of January, here are my first attempts at photographing a baby.

It had been so long since I had used my D7100 that I had forgotten how and struggled as a consequence, thus some of these settings used may seem a bit bizarre, but also bear in mind that I was also somewhat awestruck by the occasion of first meeting another generation in the family, plus that being the primary purpose of our visit, rather than a photo session.

Excuses over, let's see and discuss some pictures - this is Chloe, at nine days old.

1. Asleep on Grandma/Nan (designation not yet confirmed)

Nikon D7100 + Nikon 50mm, f/1.4 50mm, 1/100s, f/2.8, iso 2000, Aperture Priority and Auto-ISO (410-2638)
Hit Kbd F11 and click image to see at 763px × 1,000px (recommended)


2. I'm soooo tired

Nikon D7100 + Nikon 50mm, f/1.4 50mm, 1/125s, f/5.6, iso 2000, Aperture Priority and Auto-ISO (410-2633)
Hit Kbd F11 and click image to see at 596px × 1,000px (recommended)


3. Comfortable

Nikon D7100 + Nikon 50mm, f/1.4 50mm, 1/60s, f/5.6, iso 2800, Aperture Priority and Auto-ISO (410-2638)
Hit Kbd F11 and click image to see at 1290px × 1,000px (recommended)


4. I'm awake, on my Dad's shoulder

Nikon D7100 + Nikon 50mm, f/1.4 50mm, 1/60s, f/5.6, iso 5000, Aperture Priority and Auto-ISO (410-2641)
Hit Kbd F11 and click image to see at 739px × 1,000px (recommended)


All were shot RAW processed in ACR and PS CC with Neat Image Noise reduction on account of the high ISO caused by lack of light.

My thanks in advance for any odd thoughts you might have, but I know they could be better.

What did I learn this time:

Need to get more light on the subject (a small 30cm/12 inch silver reflector was used to project window light on to Chloe's face for most of these)
Need more practice with lens and camera
Should have taken the bigger reflector
Open the curtains and/or shoot in a room with more light and brighter walls
Take more care to get exposure correct when shooting, most of these needed 1/3 to 1/2 stop boost in PP

I have since been back to shoot more of a 'photo session' and I'll post a thread containing the best of those soon.

Thanks for looking, Dave

[Shadowman]

Nice series, congrats.

[Sergio M.]

Congratulations, Grandpa.
I can't give any advice on this kind of photography but it's a great beginning as Chloe becomes your model.

Sergio

[Mike Buckley]

I wonder if the family has any idea how fortunate they are to have such fine photos documenting the life of the new arrival. I look forward to more of them.

Another easy and effective lighting option not included in your list is to bounce flash off a wall or ceiling.

[NorthernFocus]

Congrats, Dave, first on the grandbaby, then on diving into a new field. The first shot here is awesome. Enjoy!

[rpcrowe]

Great series of a very pretty baby. Congratulations!

[bnnrcn]

Congrats Dave A lovely baby and lovely images.

[DanK]

Great shots, and congratulations! This inspires me--I'm in the same boat (first grandchild, guessing at how best to photograph)--so maybe I will post a few as well.

[Tronhard]

I met my grand nephew recently and fell in love immediately. Nature makes these little tiny bundles of need SO cute it is hard to imagine anyone wanting to hurt them.

My GN's father is struggling with parenthood - still wants to do the things he always did - which take up half the weekend - and has become over-protective. They received a book with an Anne Geddes shot on the front. I understand she is an outstanding photographer specializing in expectant parents and babies. It showed a child around 6 weeks' of age curled into the parent. The child was unclothed and the dad refused to have it in the house, describing it as "porn". He then went to every screen that could access the internet and put a lock on it to stop the newborn from seeing any kind of dubious image... go figure.

I am NO expert on baby photography, but apparently newborns to about six weeks have a particular curling action that is nice to catch if you can do so. It may be to do with their inability to hold their head up that they flop so beautifully against a chest or shoulder. I was also told that close-ups of their feet and hands can make a good image.

Still, the main thing is to enjoy your latest generation and be a part of their lives, I think it gives everyone a benefit.

[Dave Humphries]

John, Sergio, Mike, Dan, Richard, Binnur and Dan and Trev,

Thank you all for the congratulations and kind words on these shots.

I wonder if the family has any idea how fortunate they are to have such fine photos documenting the life of the new arrival. I look forward to more of them.

Another easy and effective lighting option not included in your list is to bounce flash off a wall or ceiling.

Yes, I think they do Mike; Rebecca is a (somewhat lapsed) member here and she knows how hard it is, plus at the moment, she kinda has her hands full

We get some mobile phone pics every few days of milestones, but I hope to visit them again next week for another session.

Bounce flash is something I haven't done since film days, the only flash guns I have are manual only, but I'm sure I can learn that too. I have just had a look at DanK's thread and he uses bounce flash.

I was also told that close-ups of their feet and hands can make a good image.

Funny you should say that Trev; Rebecca sent me some example poses she wanted to recreate in our first session and they included these two, so I have already had a go at these

I'll add a link here to the 'next' thread when posted.

Once again, thank you to all, Dave

[IzzieK]

Not so fast...I've just got to this link in my drafts folder...anyway, whinging aside for being late to this post, I think you did a good job in all of them. Pink, so the baby is a girlie. I like #4 and the first one in all of these shots. The first one looks comfortable and the last one is exciting.

Being a first grandparent can be exhausting and exhilarating or overwhelming. Sometimes, frustrating, but those little bundle of joy grows up. Your job is to spoil her and let the parents try to undo that. It is funny...LOL

I'd like to see her progress as she goes along with your lives...

[Dave Humphries]

I'd like to see her progress as she goes along with your lives...

The next instalment is now available here: Baby pics 2 - the learning continues

Thanks, Dave

[IzzieK]

The next instalment is now available here: Baby pics 2 - the learning continues

Thanks, Dave

Thanks Dave...I'll go there in a minute.
Izzie