First baby AND first lighting shoot!!!

[nvrl8]

Hello!! Wow, I have been so busy and definitely not on here enough! I would like some help to know what I did right and wrong and suggestions for improvement. It was my first time using my lighting AND photographing a baby so I was worried sick. A sample pic is attached and here's a couple links to a few more:

http://www.naturalvisionphoto.com/photos/109543336-S.jpg

http://www.naturalvisionphoto.com/photos/109543880-M.jpg

http://www.naturalvisionphoto.com/photos/109544344-M.jpg

http://www.naturalvisionphoto.com/photos/109543255-M.jpg

[shilophoto]

Wow I love them ! I can’t believe this is what you got for a first time! What do you use for lights?? I’m truly impressed!

[nvrl8]

Wow, thanks for the compliment. I was so scared my lights wouldn't get here in time for the shoot so I could practice. They got here on a Friday, the shoot was Saturday morning. I stayed up late for 3 hours practicing on my daughters doll!! hahahaha I had never touched a studio light. It took me forever to set up and then remember people's advice from here.

I purchased the Alien Bees "Beginner Bee" package
and also the "Background Bee" package...this is the specifics
http://www.alienbees.com/packages.html

I am still scared to death of the lighting. I might have just got lucky that I didn't totally botch it. I need models that have more than a 20 minute attention span to practice on (referecing to my kids, 15 and 10)!!

[Dale Siscoe]

Awesome captures, the lighting is right on the spot for me, very well done, lighting still scares me too. D.

[shilophoto]

WOW, I've got to get a loan lol

[::Lisa::]

Wow extremely beautiful shots!

Can you tell me where you put your lights? I'm still having issues with my setup :(

[StroupePhotography]

I love the " From God " shot. You did great.

[NickSimcheck]

Wait until you get the first pee-pee in your studio, then you'll really be worried sick.

[PhotoScout]

Looks like you did very well being your first experience with lights. I'm still not very good at setting up studio lighting even after having my strobes for about 15 years (They're like brand new still :)). May owners who have the Alien Bee lights have been very happy with them and have shared wonderful images lit by Bees.

[nvrl8]

Thanks so much!! No criticism out there? I love the compliments, but surely I could have done something better.

Lisa, yes I'd share it with you no problem but it was just A LOT of trial and error. I told the lady right up front that she was my first live subject and to be patient. I wasted about 10 shots is all before I got it okay. My AB800 was set up high to my right (at about a 45 degree angle from the center point between me and the subject) and then the AB400 was in about the same position to the left of me...I had to play with the 400 to fix the shadows as good as possible. The 800 was easy, but the 400 was a little more difficult. The subjects were about 5-6 feet away from the background for a stark black look. I wish I would have had one more AB400 for a backlight or at least a reflector stand to bounce the 800 off on to the subject and then have the AB400 facing the subject from behind at a low intesity. I don't know...heck, it's all just trial and error for me. I just did a self portrait for my website 5 minutes ago. I might get brave enough to put it on here...but I hate pics of myself!! I used a timer adn a big box to set the auto timer....LOL

[CheetaPita]

hehe i know youre looking for constructive criticism....but i honestly cant find anything wrong with these. these are lovely

[TSEE]

WOW, what are you complaining about girl, those look good!
Mom should be VERY happy with those. My only nitpick would be the blackout you did on photo #1 (link), the hands holding the baby, it was like an inversed circle...I think I'd prefer to black out everything BUT the hands instead of doing that, to me it just looks odd. But other than that it looks good, be proud of yourself, you did a good job!

[Mum2J&M]

Which lens did you use?

[lowcrust]

Sorry that I can't be of any help, these shots are way to good for me to criticize in any way!