New litter advice needed

[RichSoansPhotos]

Not that I need to look after them, but need advice on whether it is safe to use flash photographing a new batch of litter that were born just yesterday

I am a little bit apprehensive about photographing new born kittens. They are so so cute, and feel I can't really move them in case I do harm to them, in some cases leave them where they are for a natural pose

So any help is welcomed

[bayberry]

If it's well diffused or bounced it should be okay. I wouldn't fire a bare flash right at them however.

[RichSoansPhotos]

OK, what about AF assist beam, is that safe for the new litter?

[bayberry]

OK, what about AF assist beam, is that safe for the new litter?

Should be fine, it's not nearly as powerful as the flash. Their eyes aren't even open yet, so they already have a pretty powerful diffuser of their own in place.

[RichSoansPhotos]

OK, thanks for that

[Meanderthal]

A general suggestion, if I may: once the kittens (or puppies) get mature enough to know that you are there, and that you have a special relationship to them, act with absolute confidence in their presence. Any apprehension on your part may attach to whatever they were experiencing at the time. I recall asking my mother, when I was 3 years old, "Mother, what is that boom boom?" Mother answered simply and comfortably: "It's just bombs". I slept like a baby through all the distant boom booms. So it may be with kittens and flash, vacuum cleaner, dropped dishpan ...

[in2fx]

If it's well diffused or bounced it should be okay. I wouldn't fire a bare flash right at them however.

I agree

I have taken quite a few photos of kitten litters within the first few weeks of their existance and mosty try to use natural light so as not to surprise them and have managed to be quite successful (in my opinion anyway lol)