Flash and babies eyes

[yb98]

Do you know if there is any danger on the babies eyes (0-2 years) when using flash ?

[tony fanning]

I think you are pretty much safe there.I would be more concerned with the modeling light being too bright (squint) or continuous lighting sources.

[PhotosByEric]

Since I just became the father of twin boys 2 weeks ago I had the same question. After reading all the books I could find here is what I came up with:

Bounce is better

Try to be at least 36" away when using direct flash

Unless you firing off 600 flashes an hour you're not going to cause damage.

Now most of this came from the book "What to expect the first years" but pretty much everything else I read backs this up.

Of course now that I replied I have to post a pic of said twins:

http://photosbyeric.smugmug.com/photos/56800462-M.jpg

Hope this helps,

Eric

[MotionEffects]

Since I just became the father of twin boys 2 weeks ago I had the same question. After reading all the books I could find here is what I came up with:

Bounce is better

Try to be at least 36" away when using direct flash

Unless you firing off 600 flashes an hour you're not going to cause damage.

Now most of this came from the book "What to expect the first years" but pretty much everything else I read backs this up.

Of course now that I replied I have to post a pic of said twins:

http://photosbyeric.smugmug.com/photos/56800462-M.jpg

Hope this helps,

Eric


Congrats on the twins!!! They are very cute!:D

[bolantej]

I think bounced light would be much better technically, as well as for safety.

[spencer87]

im not sure if it so much a safety issue as it is a comfort issue for the baby. when my niece was born i was asked to bring my camera for some newborn and family shots. I brought the fastest lens I own (nifty fifty) and did my best without a flash.

[cdifoto]

Bounce it and you'll be fine. Better results from bouncing, and less discomfort for the baby. Once he/she gets older, you can flash the hell out of them direct outside for fill and they'll even find it amusing. My 19 month old nephew giggles when I use flash. He watches for it when he poses...and stands there confused if I shoot without flash because he expects it.

[yenoram]

I asked the same question of my doctor when my son was born 10 years ago and I can still hear his laughter. I don't know about where you live but many hospitals in part of the world also have paid photographers that come in and take "baby's first picture" and the ones I saw were using flash for the ghastly mug shots they were flogging. If using flash was harmful I would have expected a doctor or two to voice their concerns. In any event, follow the advice of the previous posters and either bounce your flash or don't use flash at all.

[Bruce Watson]

If it was, my grandson and God-daughter would both be blind by now!

Mind you, they wince when they see me coming with the camera..............

This reminds me of Hunter's (grandson) birth; within two hours of his coming into the world, there were digital pictures emailed to relatives all around North America.

What amazing times we live in.

[Nabil-A]

I think the general rule of thumb as i have applied many a time during my newborn shoots, is keep the light soft.

This can be via softbox, diffusion material, bounce flash etc.

Direct flash for short periods and not continuously is okay, but the end result is less flattering shots.

So save yourself the headache, go soft and so provide more comfort for the baby and obtain better shots.