Baby Photography: Kids Photography made easy

Online Photography Classes: Baby Photography and Kids Photography made easy.

Everyone loves babies. Everyone loves baby photographs. Soft and cuddly, with sparkling eyes, they are their mother’s pride.

But have you ever wondered how such images are created? Or, to put it another way, could you, the non-professional photographer, take such amazing pictures?

Photography is an art, and photographing babies is a special art, but with a little imagination and basic knowledge about lighting, it is not all that difficult. I’ll share with you a simple technique that will boost your rating as a photographer within your friends’ circle.

Lighting Guidelines
Lighting from the front (frontal lighting) can illuminate the subject very well, but it is considered as ‘flat’, or lacking in modelling. Side-lighting causes modelling (creates shapes); back-lighting creates shapes and separates the subject from the backdrop of a similar colour. Position your camera and the black backdrop as shown in the sketch. The angular light from the window will create the necessary modelling on the baby.

Ask your friend holding the baby to slowly move the baby’s position relative to the window light and stop when you feel that the lighting is good. Place the white reflector on the opposite side of the window light to reflect some light to ease up the shadows. With a little trial-and-error you’ll be able to “shoot like a pro”. It helps if the lighting is observed through the camera.

When taking the camera meter reading, I suggest you expose for the highlights. This guarantees that the highlights will not be overexposed. Take further shots by moving the baby’s position in relation to the window light. It is necessary to observe how the light creates the highlights and the shadows. Don’t be afraid to experiment. And remember, a baby’s soft hands and tiny toes look just as pretty as its plumpy face!

When taking the camera meter reading, I suggest you expose for the highlights. This guarantees that the highlights will not be overexposed. Take further shots by moving the baby’s position in relation to the window light. It is necessary to observe how the light creates the highlights and the shadows. Don’t be afraid to experiment. And remember, a baby’s soft hands and tiny toes look just as pretty as its plumpy face!

Note:
If you are using a studio flash with softbox (instead of the window light), be aware that strong pulses of an electronic flash can possibly harm a baby’s delicate eyes (even when its eyelids are shut)