Need better lighting for baby pictures... Will this work?

LOL

sorry, but that is hilarious.

reefvilla wrote in post #17096171
This all sounds great but I'm just wanting to take some nice candid shots with even lighting, not a full on "session".
I really just need to learn how to use my flash. I'm using an older 430ex ii but I just ordered a 600ex-rt so that will give me some motivation to figure it out.

Well then bouncing flash will be your greatest help Aiming at the ceiling turns the ceiling into the light source (very large source). Aiming at a wall turns the wall into the lights source (large source but be careful of the color pick up). Shoot RAW and worry about WB later Putting a flash on a stand aimed at the ceiling will make an immediate difference for the better

BrickR wrote in post #17096264
Well then bouncing flash will be your greatest help Aiming at the ceiling turns the ceiling into the light source (very large source). Aiming at a wall turns the wall into the lights source (large source but be careful of the color pick up). Shoot RAW and worry about WB later Putting a flash on a stand aimed at the ceiling will make an immediate difference for the better

Bouncing works good if we are in her room but usually we are downstairs in a room with a palette wall, two rusty corrugated metal walls and a black ceiling.... hard to get consistent shots down there.
This is why I bought the 600ex... I'm thinking maybe I can use it as the master and fumble around with placement of the 430ex as a slave. And when I say Fumble, I mean... guess, pray, hope, and luck into a decent shot!

I am a strobe guy but I would say start with window light. And if you need anything more, a simple umbrella or softbox is plenty.

Yep using the 600 Ex and the 430 Ex II would work. You should be able to nail a 1 to 2 lighting ratio. You could always throw in a reflector if needed if you go the window light direction.

reefvilla wrote in post #17096285
Bouncing works good if we are in her room but usually we are downstairs in a room with a palette wall, two rusty corrugated metal walls and a black ceiling.... hard to get consistent shots down there.
This is why I bought the 600ex... I'm thinking maybe I can use it as the master and fumble around with placement of the 430ex as a slave. And when I say Fumble, I mean... guess, pray, hope, and luck into a decent shot!

You're missing the point - the effect you're aiming for is about big soft light (given you can't bounce off the walls / ceiling) it doesn't matter if you're using a 430, or a 600 speedlight or a 1200w/s strobe, the principal is the same, you'll have to find a way to make it big and soft. The cheapest is probably a large brolly box, but as others, I'd be utilising the window light.

Phil V wrote in post #17096536
You're missing the point - , I'd be utilising the window light.

No, i get it, i know i need bright diffused light. My whole problem is i get decent pics with my cell phone so i expect pics with a DSLR to be amazing.....guess that comes down to user error.
Also, I don't have a window on that side of my basement so i can't use that for light.
I didn't buy the 600ex because i thought it would "fix" my issues.... just an upgrade from the 430.

Don't get me wrong, i get good pictures without a flash, and some good with, i just want to learn how to step it up a little and learn how to use a flash properly.

Here's a few from today with the 70-200mm and a bounced flash. This is upstairs in her room.... Much better than down stairs.

To the right of her head is a black wood bed frame...

IMAGE LINK: http://s33.photobucket​.com …ia/a_zpsa018c0f​c.jpg.html

IMAGE LINK: http://s33.photobucket​.com …ia/b_zps542740b​7.jpg.html

Much better results. Don't forget that you don't always have to bounce off the ceiling. I'll often bounce where the wall and ceiling meet to get some direction to the light.

Here is a shot I took just over a year ago:

reefvilla wrote in post #17096761
No, i get it, i know i need bright diffused light. My whole problem is i get decent pics with my cell phone so i expect pics with a DSLR to be amazing.....guess that comes down to user error.
Also, I don't have a window on that side of my basement so i can't use that for light.
I didn't buy the 600ex because i thought it would "fix" my issues.... just an upgrade from the 430.

Don't get me wrong, i get good pictures without a flash, and some good with, i just want to learn how to step it up a little and learn how to use a flash properly.

Decent pics on your cell phone screen or decent pics from your cell phone when you look at them on your computer screen??

BrickR wrote in post #17097223
Decent pics on your cell phone screen or decent pics from your cell phone when you look at them on your computer screen??

Right, I know they wont be good at full size but they look good on the cell phone.
What I meant is that the lighting of the pictures looks good on the cell phone pics....even and not harsh or blown out.

reefvilla wrote in post #17096761
No, i get it, i know i need bright diffused light. My whole problem is i get decent pics with my cell phone so i expect pics with a DSLR to be amazing.....guess that comes down to user error.
Also, I don't have a window on that side of my basement so i can't use that for light.
I didn't buy the 600ex because i thought it would "fix" my issues.... just an upgrade from the 430.

Don't get me wrong, i get good pictures without a flash, and some good with, i just want to learn how to step it up a little and learn how to use a flash properly.

I assume you have windows somewhere in the house? Move the baby close to the window.

Get a bean bag, put some nice cover/backdrop on it. Put baby on it. Pose the baby, better if on tummy and not on back as in your shots.

Here I used just the crib, took out the front sliding part. One light in a small softbox.

bobbyz wrote in post #17097750
I assume you have windows somewhere in the house? Move the baby close to the window.

My whole point to this thread is trying to get light where there is none.

Yes I can move to another room but I am wanting to catch the moment where I am. The pics I posted above are in her room, upstairs, where there is a 72" double window, so that room is Fantastic. I'm just trying to figure out the lighting in my dungeon and originally thought if I had an LED panel on it might help out.
Now, with the help of everyone here, I am leaning towards buying an umbrella or soft box