flash on newborn?

[sgogula]

We are expecting baby next month and I need your suggestions on what pictures to take in the hospital on Day 1.

My ideas are:
1) baby on weigh scale.
2) One with nurse.
3) with Mom.

Is flash harmful to the baby?
Last, What is the maximum aperture i can use to get enough DOF?

[egordon99]

I believe flash is fine for newborns, but I didn't start flashing my little guy until week #2. For the first day, I just used my two primes wide open and said "heck with DOF"...I believe I was at ISO800 and my shots came out pretty good.

[derick]

I won't use flash for the newborns. Many doctors say fine, but I won't try it. I used highest ISO and wild open to take pictures for my kids, I got some very good.

[hairy_moth]

You have nothing to loose by taking the flash with you to the hospital. If you don't want to shoot head-on, you should be able to bounce it off the ceiling without blinding the child.

That way you can always make your final decision on flash or high ISO when you get there.

[heycow]

Flash is safe for newborns, but if you or the parents aren't comfortable with it, just don't use it. I've used flash on my daughter every day since she was born for a daily photo, and other than the twitching, blinking and bleeding eyes, she's just fine. :D

[RDKirk]

The effect of radiation on flesh is cumulative, just as it is on film and a digital sensor.

In other words, let's say the the flash has a duration of 1/1000 and gives a proper exposure at f/8 for ISO 100. Now, go outside in the sunshine, and you'll find that an equivalent exposure would be 1/100 at f/16 for ISO 100--which is four stops less than the flash exposure. Wow, seems like that flash puts out a lot of light! Maybe it's dangerous!

But to match sun exposure to that flash exposure only takes 1/60 second of sun exposure. By the time you get the baby from the hospital door to your car, you've given him the equivalent of hundreds of flash exposures.

The intensity of the flash is not relevant--the effect of radiation is cumulative. If the flash causes any damage, 1/60 of sunlight causes as much.

[TMR Doctor]

Good Idea. i think it is better do not use the flash.

[bobbyz]

Good Idea. i think it is better do not use the flash.

Why?

[JeffreyG]

Flash will not harm a newborn, but if you are using flash in the labor and delivery room you will want to limit the number of shots you take.

The LDR will be somewhat dark, and taking several dozen shots with blasts of flash will not be soothing. The mother might just ask you to stop.

I have typically used fast primes in the LDR for the birth of my children. Take the flash, but look to shooting fast aperture and high ISO first.