WIFE GOING INTO LABOR!! HELP!!! [Archive] - Canon Digital Photography Forums

iqbal624

6th of May 2009 (Wed), 22:23

Alright... so My wife is starting to have contractions and they are somewhat hit or miss timing-wise. I think we're going to have this baby tonight... Darn baby has to come at night right? :)

So lighting will probably just be normal hospital lighting... there are windows in the room but my wife has really fast labors so I doubt we will make it til the morning.

I have my lenses in the sig. What lens would you have on the cam?
I ofcourse plan to be there for my wife but after the baby comes out, I have the green light to take drippy pics of the baby.

I am torn between the 50L and the 24L. The 85L is also an option.
I want to stay away from any flash (hence why i've invested in these lenses :) )

Any and all opinions would be appreciated. I don't want to switch lenses right away so it's one lens for the birth pics (right after not of the actual birth)

Thanks in advance. BTW, Hoff, I really liked your birth pics!

squashed

6th of May 2009 (Wed), 22:26

This ranks in the top 5 for STRANGE questions...... 50L would be my choice... :)

cosworth

6th of May 2009 (Wed), 22:27

take the 24

iqbal624

6th of May 2009 (Wed), 22:29

i'm going to take both (actually all) :) but for the birth... i'm so torn...

mattograph

6th of May 2009 (Wed), 22:30

24 --- wider the better for the fun stuff........ Hospital rooms look cool wide.

mattograph

6th of May 2009 (Wed), 22:30

Oh, and good luck and congrats!!!:)

Chet

6th of May 2009 (Wed), 22:31

Go Wide at 16. ;) Early congrats to you and the misses. Good luck!

Jesse Webb

6th of May 2009 (Wed), 22:31

This ranks in the top 5 for STRANGE questions...... 50L would be my choice... :)

What are the other Top 5?

I agree on the 50L as the 85L might be a little long on a 1D3. 24L too for wider shots or 16-35L if enough light.

PM Hoff to see what lenses he used. Oh wait, wife in labor...maybe too late for that! Congrats :)

FlyingPhotog

6th of May 2009 (Wed), 22:37

heycow

6th of May 2009 (Wed), 22:39

My wife is 8 months pregnant. I can say with 100% certainty that if I were on PoTN when she goes into labor would mean both of us would be doubled over in pain... :D

I'd say definitely the 16-35, but it'll depend on how big the delivery room is and where you're standing. Can't ever be too wide in a small cramped room where backing up isn't an option.

jongobongo

6th of May 2009 (Wed), 22:42

i'd go with the 16-35 and 50
my wife did a birthing shoot once... she took shots of everything, even the placenta (client wanted it) :oops:

iqbal624

7th of May 2009 (Thu), 00:54

Thanks for your opinions guys... seems like a false alarm... guess i get to try again tomorrow...
keep the opinions coming! :)

heycow

7th of May 2009 (Thu), 08:56

Thanks for your opinions guys... seems like a false alarm... guess i get to try again tomorrow...
keep the opinions coming! :)
More time to buy extra gear!!! :D

Trainboy

7th of May 2009 (Thu), 09:14

This is vying for the most ridiculous thread I've seen.

heycow

7th of May 2009 (Thu), 09:26

This is vying for the most ridiculous thread I've seen.
It's really not. We're doing a tour of our birth center this week and I'm already planning on bringing my camera to see if the 24-105 will be wide enough for me to use. Hey, you only get one chance (per kid) so planning/thinking ahead is very important.

Playm

7th of May 2009 (Thu), 10:55

It looks like you've got an opportunity (time!) to take some practice shots.

Figure that a delivery room isn't much larger than the average bedroom. Use you bedroom to try out a few different lenses & lighting scenarios to see what you might need .. I suspect the biggest problem would be determining your lighting. Hopefully, they'll let you take your camera into the delivery room during your tour of the birth center. ASK the tour guide if they have any idea how previous fathers got good exposures. .. It's free to ask.. and you never know, maybe you'll get some useable information. (or perhaps one of the people on the tour would have experience)

Just like your wife probably has items set aside to take to the hospital, you, too, should be prepared with your 'grab and go' bag. I think you've seen how *urgency* can cause confusion and maybe just a wee bit of panic. (maybe write down what you think will work so you won't forget when adrenalin fogs your senses during the birth) LOL .. .... btw, congratulations on the new baby. .. Infant photos will be your next mission!

heycow

7th of May 2009 (Thu), 12:03

Oh believe me when we get closer my camera will always be in the bag ready to go. As it is it's almost always ready to go. I only have one kid so far (that I know of :D) but as I've been taking a daily photo of her since the day she was born, I'm used to taking photos of kids in tight, boring, cluttered spaces. :D

I think I'll probably just slap the 24-105 on since I have no personal problems using bounced flash on babies (only applies to my babies, I always ask about other kids first).

When #2 comes I'll be doing two simultaneous daily photos...Should be interesting!

(BTW iqbal624, sorry for going a bit off of your original topic.)

shannyD

7th of May 2009 (Thu), 12:19

i would go with the 24.. only for this reason.. i think youll be a lot closer than you think. and i think the 50 or 85 (beautiful lenses by the way) might be a little too long.

i think the 24 will allow a nice perspective, and be able to get more of the moment.

just my two cents.

shannon

johnlo

7th of May 2009 (Thu), 12:26

Congrats! I had my point and shoot w/ me when she was in labor.. and i totally forgot about my camera. so never got one right after he came out. But two hours later I did use the 24-70 and got one that ended up to be the announcement card later. which was email out to all my friends two hours later... yes i had my laptop with me. :D

bring the 24. dont go any wider, you wont need it.

WATEVER YOU DO... DO NOT USE FLASH ON THE BABY YET!!!!!!!

heycow

7th of May 2009 (Thu), 12:30

WATEVER YOU DO... DO NOT USE FLASH ON THE BABY YET!!!!!!!
Not trying to start an argument, but this is nonsense. Make a personal decision about your child, but this is not based on any science. A flash is MUCH less powerful than the sun, and only lasts for a split second.

I speak from personal experience using the flash every single day since the day my daughter was born. She has the craziest night vision ability and her normal vision is also perfect.

Just one link from a doctor (an ophthalmologist actually), not a photographer:
http://carefirst.staywellsolutionsonline.com/Library/AsktheExpert/Children/72,ATD011008

In2Photos

7th of May 2009 (Thu), 12:34

More time to buy extra gear!!! :D
Yeah, like a flash! :lol: I went with a 24-60 and a 430EX. Loved the results!

http://www.pbase.com/madawson/delivery

WATEVER YOU DO... DO NOT USE FLASH ON THE BABY YET!!!!!!!
That is bogus info. If you don't want to use it that is fine, but there is no support behind you from the medical field.

shannyD

7th of May 2009 (Thu), 12:34

heycow

7th of May 2009 (Thu), 12:39

Yeah, like a flash! :lol: I went with a 24-60 and a 430EX. Loved the results!
I need to add it to my sig, but I have a 580EX w/FlipIt (best modifier ever IMHO). I use it every day since most of my shots are either at night inside or outdoors for fill. It's held together with Gorilla Glue and gaffer's tape (seriously) so hopefully it doesn't die on me. :D

In2Photos

7th of May 2009 (Thu), 12:42

yeah but he already said that that he didnt want to use flash in the original post.

im personally not comfortable flashing in most situations.. i really enjoy the look and feel of available light. ( thats just me though) i suck at flash.
No better time to learn than the present! ;) Why use available light when you can make your own light? :lol:
I need to add it to my sig, but I have a 580EX w/FlipIt (best modifier ever IMHO). I use it every day since most of my shots are either at night inside or outdoors for fill. It's held together with Gorilla Glue and gaffer's tape (seriously) so hopefully it doesn't die on me. :D
I use a 430 and a StoFen (I can hear the moans now :rolleyes: ). As long as you know how to use the tools you have the results speak for themselves. :D

DunnoWhen

7th of May 2009 (Thu), 12:49

I'd vote for going out for a round of Golf.

shannyD

7th of May 2009 (Thu), 12:52

i will one day be better at it.....but for a special moment.. i wouldnt want to a miss a shot that i know i could have nailed with ambient light... by flashing.

but then again.. i suck that bad at flash.. i have a 430 ex. and a stofen thing too. but i dont like the stofen thing.. i have been using bounce cards, and even a mini soft box ( and i kinda like that thing too )

but i think the OP has a great set up, and some excellent lenses to choose from.

shan

heycow

7th of May 2009 (Thu), 12:53

I use a 430 and a StoFen (I can hear the moans now :rolleyes: ). As long as you know how to use the tools you have the results speak for themselves. :D
Couldn't agree more. StoFen, FlipIt, index card, or natural light. Whatever works, works. :D Delivery room is not a good time to learn something new. With baby #1 I tried to use no flash and the photos were awful. Thank goodness the P&S knew to use flash and I got some keepers there.

Anke

7th of May 2009 (Thu), 13:01

+1 vote for best POTN question ever :D

Hopefully you made a choice and we have pics by now :)

In2Photos

7th of May 2009 (Thu), 13:06

Couldn't agree more. StoFen, FlipIt, index card, or natural light. Whatever works, works. :D Delivery room is not a good time to learn something new. With baby #1 I tried to use no flash and the photos were awful. Thank goodness the P&S knew to use flash and I got some keepers there.
For baby number 1 I used a P&S and didn't care about photography. :( Baby number 1 got me into photography. :lol:

tomd

7th of May 2009 (Thu), 14:12

These false labor contractions are known as Braxton Hicks. If she is for sure having a baby soon, she will cuss, swear, throw things and tell you to put that #%&^@ camera away and help. Then when you try to help like rubbing her back, holding her hand, etc., she will tell you to get away from her! That is the time to get the camera.

shaftmaster

7th of May 2009 (Thu), 15:06

I have about 5 weeks before our baby boy #2 arrives, but this time around I'll have a DSLR and a couple decent lenses to work with. I'm planning to bring my 430EX but will try ambient light shots before the actual birth to see if I'll need to use it.

iqbal624

9th of May 2009 (Sat), 01:43

Sorry guys... no baby yet! :)
We did get to go out and try out my new strobist setup and we got a couple pics of her preggo self. I will put those up tomorrow as I have really been busy trying to finish up work so I can be ready as possible when this baby pops out!

Today she's eaten pineapples, spicy food, Eggplant Parmesan, gone for a walk, and sex but no baby...
Hopefully he'll be out soon... We'll see what happens.
I'm thinking the 24L will probably be lens for the deal but... the 50L may be used soon after. the 24L will probably let me catch everything without "backing up." I don't want to miss a shot because I am too close in...
Also bringing the focus tubes for the close up hand and feet shots... :)
hope I atleast get one good shot with all of the stuff going on...
I'm trying to level set my expectations... The thought even crossed my mind to take my strobist setup, That might be a little TOO much... :)
And trust me, I've had my "baby bag" AKA Camera gear packed for a while now... :)

tomd

9th of May 2009 (Sat), 07:17

Best wishes to you and your family. Keep your POTN buddies posted.

kenettson1

17th of May 2009 (Sun), 00:18

I packed both my DSLR and the P&S with empty cards and full batts in the holy-crap-we're-having-a-baby-grab-that-bag bag. Then, I brought in the P&S for the delivery because I didn't want any clunky DSLR getting in the way and I didn't want to be hidden in a viewfinder while everything was going on.

It worked great. Then for the next few days I got good pics of my son with the DSLR while we were still in the hospital. My wife also appreciated this approach.
P&S
http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m259/kenettson1/P1020253.jpg

20D (at the time)
http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m259/kenettson1/IMG_0915.jpg
Good luck!

heycow

17th of May 2009 (Sun), 00:22

Hmmm...of course now I'll need a new P&S...... :D

Congrats, where are the pics??? :D

iqbal624

18th of May 2009 (Mon), 22:23

Just had the baby about 1.5 days ago. here are some pics...
no PP just put them up so family and work could see...
Still at the hospital! :)
http://web.me.com/iqbal624/Site/Welcome.html
Would love some feedback!

iqbal624

18th of May 2009 (Mon), 22:25

Here is a link to just pics.
Again haven't done any post processing.
Was thinking of going all B+W..

http://gallery.me.com/iqbal624#100010

Again, Would LOVE Feedback!

heycow

18th of May 2009 (Mon), 22:53

Great shots. I LOVE the super shallow DoF on some of them. So it looks like the 35L got most of the work.

I think the mix of B&W and color work well. Personally I think B&W delivery shots generally look really good and documentary-like, but the color ones are more personal and show the warmth of the birth.

I really like 7, 13, 14, and 16, but they all do a great job of capturing the feeling of the moment.

Why does the last one show f/1.0??? :)

iqbal624

18th of May 2009 (Mon), 23:31

hmm that's wierd... don't have a 50 1.0 :). in lightroom it shows 35mm at 1.4...
It was really funny. I traded my 24L for the 35 and picked up the 5d just earlier in the day! i had my 16-35 loaned out to my friend for the day as my wife was put on bedrest and we didn't think she was going into labor from what the doc told us. the 35 was my widest lens and on the 1d it was a 45...
It all still worked out well though.
I think anyway! :)