Black & white newborn pics

I get asked a few times on how to create the black and white newborns I post. So, I thought I would give a complete breakdown of the process.


1. This is a picture straight out of the camera. There is nothing done to this pic. This is all natural light, taken using aperture priority, ISO 400, f8, -2/3 ev and 1/10th of a second - obviously using a tripod....one of my essential tools for shooting newborns. I could have easily put the ISO up to 1600 and shot at a higher shutter speed, but newborns don't typically move, so I like to keep my ISO low.

Great tutorial...thanks.

Thanks very much for this. Subscribed!

Great, i've always wonderd how these are done and know i know, would this be the same for white, would you adjust the white balance or is there some sort of white point to get the background very white.

Thanks. will try and post my attempts

What kind of fabric is the father wearing here? Is there a black backdrop/fabric that works better than others?

Thanks so much for this tutorial. I should be trying this in 10 days or less when my little one finally arrives

elio79 wrote in post #12159158
What kind of fabric is the father wearing here? Is there a black backdrop/fabric that works better than others?

It is like a simple black fleece blanket.....you can get them anywhere....Walmart, etc. I like this one because I don't get any reflections back, it washes nicely (after every shoot), and its warm.

tatkome wrote in post #12159172
Thanks so much for this tutorial. I should be trying this in 10 days or less when my little one finally arrives

Can't wait to see them.