Pregnant bellies - please critique

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

01/21/2005 10:36:44 PM · #1

This is my first attempt at an 'arty' pregnant belly shot. Which do you prefer (if any) and what are your opinions on lighting, composition, etc?

Only 4 weeks to go now! :)

krazyivan

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

Canon EF 50mm f1.2L

01/21/2005 10:45:06 PM · #2

I like the B&W composition. IMHO I think that a side shot would have given the shot a better impact. I remember that when my wife was expecting, looking at her from the side was more dramatic than looking at her belly from the front.

Spork99

OM System OM-1

01/21/2005 10:49:02 PM · #3

I agree that a profile shot is more dramatic. The shirt pulled up over the belly doesn't add to the feeling either. Have you considered a (tasteful) nude? or some other way to get it away from the "flasher" feel?

Another successful pose I've seen is with the man hugging or laying his head on the woman's belly as if he's trying to hug the baby or listen to it in there.

Brad

Olympus OM-D E-M1

Olympus 40-150mm f/2.8 PRO M.Zuiko

01/21/2005 10:52:08 PM · #4

I think side shots seem to work better.
Did a spur of the moment shoot in my office one night with a couple that have been friends a long time as well as customers here. Did a few takes and ended up with this one as a DPCPrint as a gift to them, matted & framed.

(Spent some time in PS removing the stretch marks she was so concerned about.)

rmtm333

Nikon D70

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

01/22/2005 12:14:54 AM · #5

Hey Bears...When is your due date??? My wife and I are expecting February 23rd (our second).

Good luck and look forward to sharing a few pictures.

mpalitang

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

Canon EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 II USM

01/22/2005 01:03:45 AM · #6

I like the first one... it shows more of the belly!

But...

I really think you should try and get a side shot! This is the one shot I never got during my pregnancy and I wish I had captured how far out I went...

karmat

Apple iPhone 7

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

01/22/2005 01:26:38 AM · #7

I agree, a side shot would have more "umph" to it.

on the side -- Maybe we should have a big ole baby party here at dpc in February. I'm due Feb. 11, but the drs. are talking induction a week early, possibly.

01/22/2005 01:44:39 AM · #8

Originally posted by rmtm333:

Hey Bears...When is your due date??? My wife and I are expecting February 23rd (our second).

Ours is due on 26th Feb. Seems like it is going to be busy month for baby photos :)

riotspyne

Nikon D80

01/22/2005 01:59:51 AM · #9

I really like the tones and pose of the pic. I agree a prophile shot would be nice too with the same pose. To be honest though I dont like the towel or the shirt. I am very modest person too. Just tell her you will cut out anything she doesnt want in it. :) This would give it a more soft classic look in my very humble opinion. Thanks for sharing and congrats on the baby.

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

01/22/2005 04:38:39 PM · #10

Thanks for the feedback guys. I am going to try a few of the things you suggested and see how they compare.

In the meantime I took this one. The missus was a bit shy knowing this would be shared 'with the world' and unfortunately I think this comes across in the shot as she looks a bit 'stiff' to me. Hopefully as I take a few more she will relax a little.

Jacko

Canon EOS-20D

01/22/2005 04:48:00 PM · #11

You need more creative lighting. All you have there is a pregnant woman in what what looks like broad daylight. I can see why she would be uncomfortable. Maybe use some light coming through a window to highlight form. I'll try to find examples on the web.

You also need to use something else than pregnant belly as a title. Think about something to do with life.

brianlh

Canon EOS-450D Rebel XSi

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

01/22/2005 04:50:37 PM · #12

I liked the first picture you posted. As mpalitang mentioned, it shows more of the belly and therefore the hands are more of a complimentary feature than a distracting one. I agree with the others that you may want to try it without clothes. I think a similar straight on shot (nude, but cropped the same way more or less) would work. The most recent post looks a bit too unnatural for me and if she prefers not to do shots like this, there might be a better angle/crop/pose/etc for the side shot.

jpochard

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

01/22/2005 05:17:26 PM · #13

How great to be making memories of this special time! I'm glad your wife trusts you to do these shots...I think she'll be glad she did!

I prefer a less straight-on belly shot. There are lots of good sites you can find with some poses and lighting that might help. I've done a couple friends' maternity shots, but none yet comfortable enough to do a bare belly :( ! Here's some from my portfolio that I've gotten some good feedback on.

I've also see shots done with a more contrasty black and white look, and those are really nice. More similar to this by grigrigirl:

cloudsme

Canon EOS R5

Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM

01/22/2005 09:17:52 PM · #14

Some ideas to help. The first picture was a pregnancy in 2001. The next two are of her most recent pregnancy. Shot the last one with a timer.

cloudsme

Canon EOS R5

Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM

01/22/2005 10:12:58 PM · #15

bump for comments

cloudsme

Canon EOS R5

Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM

01/23/2005 04:59:51 PM · #16

bump

01/23/2005 10:01:07 PM · #17

I particularly like the second one with the small child kissing the belly.