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

If you have flash like 430ex, that is plenty IMHO. Get Qbox24" or its replica from eBay. Or something like photek softliter. That is it. No need to buy 600rt whatever. Trust me.

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.

If your cell phone is like mine it does automatic HDR most of the time. As a result my cell phone pics have great dynamic range. They still can't be blown up like a dslr photo due to the tiny sensor size but they look great on Facebook. It is potentially a valid comparison but somewhat unfair to the DLSR that is not doing auto HDR and aggressive noise reduction in camera.

bobbyz wrote in post #17097921
If you have flash like 430ex, that is plenty IMHO. Get Qbox24" or its replica from eBay. Or something like photek softliter. That is it. No need to buy 600rt whatever. Trust me.

+1 on this. Inexpensive softbox like the Photek Softliter provides beautiful soft light in a collapsible form factor only slightly more bulky than a plain umbrella. Very versatile. As mentioned, it works perfectly well will my 600EX-RT or my $70 Yongnuo 560II. It's the modifier that counts here. Not the flash.

bobbyz wrote in post #17097921
If you have flash like 430ex, that is plenty IMHO. No need to buy 600rt whatever. Trust me.

I know this. That is why I was originally wondering about an LED panel, which is way less power than the 430EX ii, to add a little light.
I bought the Canon 600EX because I would like to experiment with lighting and learn how to use a flash or multiple flash setup so instead of going to the 580 I just decided to buy the 600. I also bought a Ray Flash 2 just to play around.

Ok... Received my 600EX and Ray Flash 2 today so I tried them out...
I bought the Ray Flash for some product pics at work and it seems to do a good job.

No editing except for resize....

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Ray flash is okay for certain looks, but its always going to be flashed looking and will give you alien baby catchlights when you shoot straight on. You need to take a breath and learn how to do proper lighting and not try to avoid it or buy your way into it. Look at strobist and Neil V's tangents blog to start with. You really need to be open to new ideas rather than trying to squeeze your opinions into the advice you are given.

gonzogolf wrote in post #17098930
Ray flash is okay for certain looks, but its always going to be flashed looking and will give you alien baby catchlights when you shoot straight on. You need to take a breath and learn how to do proper lighting and not try to avoid it or buy your way into it. Look at strobist and Neil V's tangents blog to start with. You really need to be open to new ideas rather than trying to squeeze your opinions into the advice you are given.

The Ray Flash is not for baby pics, it's for work, and it works much better than I expected.
I really thought through this whole thread I was and am trying to learn?... And buying new equipment doesn't make me think I will somehow know everything about photography.
I'm here to learn and try new things and if you read through the post you will see I am doing that.

reefvilla wrote in post #17098942
The Ray Flash is not for baby pics, it's for work, and it works much better than I expected.
I really thought through this whole thread I was and am trying to learn?... And buying new equipment doesn't make me think I will somehow know everything about photography.
I'm here to learn and try new things and if you read through the post you will see I am doing that.

I read through it and was struck by the fact that your replies tended to ignore the advice in favor of what it is you thought you want to do instead of genuinely listening to the advice with an open mind. If I'm wrong with that I apologize.

^ I would say you are spot on.

scorpio_e wrote in post #17099122
^ I would say you are spot on.

Can You guys point out what i said that leads you to this opinion?
I AM trying to learn because i'm on here asking questions.

Man, i just read through this whole thread and i really don't see what your talking about. Maybe its just me or the way i come across but i started off asking about an LED panel...took the advice that its junk and not what i need... then followed up later that i will think about a softbox. In the mean time i am reading as much as i can about lighting and learning as i go. My new flash will help me learn to Use a flash properly since my old 430 has a messed up battery door and doesnt work all the time.

All i really want is to get wonderful shots of my baby without using a flash and without having to set up a studio. Just quick snaps of her precious smiles to preserve the moment.


Thanks for all the help you guys have offered and i'll try to be better with my next thread... (that is my humor if it comes across wrong)

Maybe they meant the advice about reflectors, which you ignored most of the time. Even though you keep saying that you don't really want to use a flash...

I like the final baby shot. A little soft, not sure why. I would also use higher ISO to bring in more ambient.