Baby Portraits

[KevC]

Heya,

So far, I have:

Canon EF-S 18-55/4.5-5.6 : General fun lens. Wide angle.
Canon EF50/1.8 : Portraits. Everything from tight headshots to full body.
Canon EF35-105/3.5-4.5 : General lens with reach.

I'm getting a CZJ Sonnar 135/3.5 prime for those outdoor formal portraits that have beautiful bokeh.

The next lens on my list is probably the CZJ Flektogon 35/2.4. I don't have a normal prime. That's basically the only reason I want this one. Should I get it?

I want to do some baby portraits for my friend. I'm thinking this Flektogon might be a good indoor portrait lens.

My friend's apartment is very small, and I feel that using the 50 would be too long for nice shots. Here is my planned layout for shooting.

http://img132.echo.cx/img132/5624/babyportraitsetup8cu.jpg

1. My 420ex mounted on a self made softbox (assistant holding it, or mounted on tripod/chair/table)
2. Camera with 35/2.4
3. Reflector (thinking of white styrafoam)
4. Table w/chair. Mother and daughter will be sitting here. White linen drooped on table.
4. Backdrop. More white linen.

The biggest thing I'm worried about is focussing indoors. I'm considering turning on all the lights to focus, then drop off the lights to rely on the speedlight for light.

This is the closest thing I have ever come to a studio. I may also consider bringing a flourescent lamp to light up the backdrop. But I'm afraid of colour balance issues.

Do not worry, I'm not charging this lovely couple for this, I dare not call myself a pro yet. I'm just asking for help in this issue.

Thanks.

[smittymike19]

not for nothing, but have you considered using natural light? i find it to always be more flattering than flash (and easier). take em down to a nice park near sunrise/sunset. plus you may get soem nice candids. Dont forget to get fingers and toes!!! holding hands pictures are a favorite among moms.:)

[Ken Fong]

Adding to smittymike19's comment...
Window light is also very soft and remarkably controllable with your drapes. You can also add the reflector, but it may not be necessary for a more dramatic look.

[Merle]

The high Key style of portraiture is very dramatic and with babies and mothers along with soft filtration you will be able to create some very sellable images.

Normally this style of portraiture requires a good deal of lighting as you will run into problems with light fall off. I do not know the math, but I have found in my studio that with the light source in the general area of the photographer at f8 the light fall off from the subject to the background located about 6 feet behind the subject you will have about 1 stop less light falling on the background than the subject. In other words the white linen that you will be using to rest your baby on will be white while your background will be gray. Do a Google search on High Key Portraiture.

If your lighting equipment is limited try doing a Low Key Madonna portrait using a 3 to 1 or 4 to 1 lighting ratio on both the babies and the mothers faces along with soft filtration. SPECTACULAR !
You may also wish to do a Google search on Low Key Portraiture.

KevC, I have been reading many of your posts and you seem eager to learn, keep up that good attitude and you will learn fast.;) :) :D

Good shooting to ya !!
Merle

[KevC]

Thank you for the compliment Merle. I am very willing to learn, and school just finished this year so I'm ready to shoot shoot shoot.

I will Google for both High and Low key. It seems like the High Key Portraits are the ones that everyone wants. Hehe. I'll try to do some Low key though, before I invest in some Alien Bees or another dedicated flash.

Thanks for all the replies. I think I'll get some black linen and a large window to work with for now. Maybe a white piece of styrafoam as a makeshift reflector.