Indirect flash + newborns

[VladDracule]

Hello all, my cousin just went into labor today! yay!

i have a simple question, is bouncing a flash still not recomended with newbornes? i know a direct flash is a no no but what about indirect? also should i trust auto metering or set to a low power and adjust other camera settings to compensate?

[tim]

Everything i've read says flash is fine for newborns. I would probably bounce the light as well. I wouldn't trust just what people say on a forum though, google and read multiple sources so you're sure in your own mind that what you're doing what hurt the baby.

[pgruiz123]

Isn't indirect flash bounced flash?

[tim]

Isn't indirect flash bounced flash?

Yes.

[JeffreyG]

It's not like they go into convulsions or whatever.

I have four kids, so I've shot a lot of babies. For sure if when I'm in the LDR nobody is in the mood for a few bursts of flash. Low key and fast primes are the way to go there. Since this is a cousin I assume you won't be in the LDR (yeesh!)

Once you are in a regular hospital room or back home you can generally get ahold of more light or go ahead and use flash. If they baby doesn't like the flash then you get some screaming and stuff, but newborns just don't have the chops to scream for a long time. A little cuddling and they are usually good to go.

Here are a couple examples in a normal hospital room to show how bright. I also shot a few in there with flash to stop down more for some groups. I'd use ETTL, BTW. No sense fiddling with manual flash while trying to visit and chat and shoot etc etc unless you are really used to working that way.

[brianch]

i would still set the flash to low. just get a large aperture lens, that way you can take the shot and not have to worry about hurting the babies eyes. i've seen professionals take pictures of babies using umbrellas but only on low power and a more even flash to ambient ratio.

[VladDracule]

the only prime i have unfortunetly is a 50 1.8 which has been seeming to have focus issues, im gonna give that a shot and then use my 28-135 for other shots incase the 50 1.8's shots come out oof

[bobbyz]

Bump up the ISO to say 400 or higher. use something like f2.8. Flash power will be very low at those settings.

Ask the doctor about flash, most probably they will say nothing wrong with it.

Here is my 1 week old son. I used lot more power at the time.

http://www.bobbyzphotography.com/img/v1/p846533812-3.jpg

Here he is at 2 months. I used 550ex in small softbox but set to something like 1/32 or lower.

http://www.bobbyzphotography.com/img/v4/p88236956-4.jpg

With newborns, they will be sleeping most of the time. So eyes will be closed. If you want them to shoot with eyes open, remove their clothes.