First baby shots (5 pics)

[SezzySue]

I have never taken pictures of a baby before and I am looking for suggestions on how I could do this better.

This is the daughter of a guy I work with. She is a beautiful 3 month old newborn. She was not interested in smiling much so they aren't great. There are more if you go onto my photoblog. Thanks for looking.

1.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/SezzySue/IMG_1635-bweyes.jpg

2.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/SezzySue/IMG_1625.jpg

3.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/SezzySue/IMG_1654-bw.jpg

4.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/SezzySue/IMG_1637.jpg

5.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b249/SezzySue/IMG_1638.jpg

[In2Photos]

Sarah for a first time I would say you did well. It is hard getting a 3 month old to cooperate. Sometimes the best shots are not of them smiling anyway. A particular expression can light up a parents face that you would think is no good. Now for some C&C.

1. great pose but OOF. f/1.8 way too shallow for this shot.
2. same as number one, but f/2. Don't be afraid to push ISO up a notch or two and go to f/4-5.6.
3. The shallow DOF works here, but the sleeve is distracting at the lower right. Maybe add a nice vignette to reduce it.
4 and 5. are the best. Again be careful with DOF as if the baby moves just slightly you missed.

Good job and I look forward to seeing more.

[SezzySue]

#5 is my favorite. Thanks for the tips, I will keep that in mind. I have never changed the ISO from 100 and I am not sure how it takes mictures in there, I need to practice. I know what you mean about the OOF. There are only two with her smiling and I am nto a fan of either. How do I add a vignette

[ctymom]

Very nice shots. The 2nd one is a bit too blurry but the others are very nice. I hope you dont mind, but I played with one of the photos. (Your profile says image edits ok) It's a great shot ;)

[SezzySue]

can you tell me what you did? I love how bright it is but she isn't washed out. I would love to learn. I have PS CS2

[ctymom]

I will try to remember and explain what I did. I'm not great at remembering this stuff because I take it photo by photo. LOL

I ran an action I bought from Amanda's Actions (http://www.fallintoblue.com/actions/). It's a color pop. I adjusted it until I got a look I liked.
Then I played around with Level adjustments and then Curves. (I'm sorry that I dont have specific settings)
I also used the magic wand and selected the yellowish tones on the baby's forehead and slightly adjusted the coloring.
Lastly, I ran an USM filter to sharpen it. Keep playing until it's how you like it.

Hope this helps a bit. If you have any questions, feel free to ask :)

[Kristy]

I really like #2. I partial to side shots right now.. I love it when they aren't looking at the camera... babies have such beautiful profiles...

Some diaper only shots would be very cute at this age.. with some tulle all around, or put her in a tutu and topless lying on her tummy... also shots with baby and mommy looking at each other are priceless at this stage.

Great job for 1st timer. :)

[aladyforty]

I hope you dont mind but i had a half an hour to kill and saw your delightful baby and felt that this shot had real merit. I did five different edits, Im parcial to the soft look for these type of shots and there are a couple Ive done a vignette on. The back ground had a shadow down the side of the baby which i have cloned out and blended in with the rest of the background. Ive lightened up babys face as well and smoothed out the photo as well

Julie

Natural Portrait style

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v357/alady229/Baby_001.jpg

tried to geta dreamy look here

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v357/alady229/Baby_002.jpg

standard soft black and white shot

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v357/alady229/Baby_003.jpg


very subtle vignette using the same color as the background

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v357/alady229/Baby_004.jpg


Same again however used a blue to match her dress

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v357/alady229/Baby_005.jpg

[aladyforty]

these are very quick jobs, a lot more can be done with the background if you have time, have to go to work otherwise Id have spent more time on it. Also i do hope her eyes are this blue, i used the spounge on saturate for this to bring the color out in them, she is very cute. You did good for a first go.