How to achieve these shots

Sorry I appreciate you must all get a lot of these……

My girlfriends cousin is going to be having a baby next year, this will be there second baby, and I wanted to give them a present (as well as a bit of practice )

I would like to achieve shots like these: http://proudtointroduc​e.com …ld-photographer-children/

I was thinking two stands holding up a black bed sheet, maybe with some continuous lighting, or I have two manual flashes with triggers, but without umberellas or soft boxes?

What would be the best approach?

Thanks in advance.

Are you talking about the pics with the all black backround?

Apologies my browser didn't load all the other images last time! Yes just the black and white one with the black backdrop.

Im not sure either. Ive been trying to recreate this as well with off camera flash and a "distant" backround. It works really well outside where there were no walls but its a smidge chilly out to be doing maternity shots.

With a black fleece blanket as a background and a softbox, you really don't need any distance from the sheet to the arm/baby.

Here is one with an umbrella, so the light was spread out much more and less directional:
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=955642

Thats fantastic and the results look great! I do have another question though, being new to flash and strobes, how do you judge the power needed for a "correct exposure", via the histogram and screen? Or by light meter?

Thanks for your input.

I tend to watch the screen and usually get it within a degree I can live with. You can also set up to allow your camera to show any hot spots (highlight alert) and dial in the flash that way - trial and error. Even easier would be using a light meter, but I don't have one.

Thanks for the pics. I tried a few shots tonight with a black blanket but I couldnt get a well exposed subject (camera bag or wife) without the texture in the blanket showing up a white glow. Any tips in getting a good exposure without blowing out the black?

JakAHearts wrote in post #11262612
Thanks for the pics. I tried a few shots tonight with a black blanket but I couldnt get a well exposed subject (camera bag or wife) without the texture in the blanket showing up a white glow. Any tips in getting a good exposure without blowing out the black?

I must admit this was going to be my next question? I'm more worried about spill on to the background, or is this solved in PP?

Thanks once more for the valuable contribution.

Have a look half way down the page here. It gives the before and after shoots with the Aperture 3 settings. As you can see, I was under exposed by 1.43 (less because I had to use the recovery slider), not great, but I shoot raw and do not have a problem processing it. What I was watching in the camera was the arm on the right, it was closest to the light and pretty bright. If you turn up your black point, it will take care of the black blanket.

https://photography-on-the.net …ead.php?t=68436​0&page=180

sf1 wrote in post #11264340
Have a look half way down the page here. It gives the before and after shoots with the Aperture 3 settings. As you can see, I was under exposed by 1.43 (less because I had to use the recovery slider), not great, but I shoot raw and do not have a problem processing it. What I was watching in the camera was the arm on the right, it was closest to the light and pretty bright. If you turn up your black point, it will take care of the black blanket.

https://photography-on-the.net …ead.php?t=68436​0&page=180

You sir are a gentleman, thanks for taking the time for your detailed replies!

mattyb240 wrote in post #11264433
You sir are a gentleman, thanks for taking the time for your detailed replies!

Or a lady...

But yes, thank so much for your help!

One more question (for now haha) What is the ambient light like in the room/studio when doing these shots? Ive been trying to keep it "dark" but then focusing is difficult. Ive resorted to using a flashlight to get focus and then turning it off for the shot.

mattyb240 wrote in post #11264433
You sir are a gentleman, thanks for taking the time for your detailed replies!

Your welcome.

JakAHearts wrote in post #11264696
Or a lady...

But yes, thank so much for your help!

Your welcome, and its Shane....definitely a guy.

JakAHearts wrote in post #11264704
One more question (for now haha) What is the ambient light like in the room/studio when doing these shots? Ive been trying to keep it "dark" but then focusing is difficult. Ive resorted to using a flashlight to get focus and then turning it off for the shot.

Small room with a small window providing some light and a lamp on - like most bedrooms - so focusing was easy. Thats why the speedlight was set to 32nd power from about 4 feet away.