How do YOU light your child photography?

Mattel Barbie Photo Designer Digital Camera

03/22/2005 10:11:33 AM · #1

I'm curious... those who have ventured into childrens photography, how do you light them?

I ask because I've got a photo shoot coming up this weekend. And up until now I've only really "played" with some kid photos. I've had a couple (emphasis on 'couple') of successes, and I've also had some dismal failures. I'm hoping to avoid the latter...

I believe my main problem in the failed attempts was "flat lighting". I used two studio lights that were just too evenly set. There was no contrast to the scene. I have since changed to using 3 lights. One for the background, one main light on the subject, and a fill light.

So what do you use? And would you care to show some examples?

Here are a couple I've posted before ... These were done with only two lights, but I at least avoided the flat lighting of previous sessions.

nsbca7

03/22/2005 10:20:59 AM · #2

Originally posted by dwterry:

I use available light only, so suggestions from me on studio lighting are not worth much. I do see other major flaws in you portraits though that I would like to point out. I can see the material of your backdrops. They should be a well bokahed blur, which would mean either moving the backdrops further back away from the subject or opening up the aperture a bit. Just my oppinion.

03/22/2005 10:24:31 AM · #3

Originally posted by nsbca7:

I can see the material of your backdrops. They should be a well bokahed blur, which would mean either moving the backdrops further back away from the subject or opening up the aperture a bit. Just my oppinion.

Absolutely, I agree.

My problem is one of space. My wife "relegated me" to a tiny room in the house with very little front to back distance. So the subject is *much* too close to the background.

I haven't decided yet where to do the photo shoot this weekend, but I won't be shooting in my little room.

03/22/2005 10:27:17 AM · #4

Those pictures are very good. I like the candid shot with the flowers. Very pretty. I guess some advice would be, mess with the lighting as much as you can while taking photos to get the feel of it.

Here are a few shots I have taken in the last month.

The first photo won a photogenic contest about 2 weeks ago.
These shots were taken with 2 alien bees..one with a softbox and the other pointing at the backdrop.

These pictures were taken with natural lighting and I flash pointed at the ceiling.

elsapo

Canon EF 50mm f1.2L

03/22/2005 10:28:19 AM · #5

couldn't you just use Gaussian Blur on the background?

Message edited by author 2005-03-22 10:28:49.

ebertdj

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 17-35mm f/2.8L

03/22/2005 10:30:34 AM · #6

This shot was with 2 umbrellas at different power settings and a back light umbrella..

And this one done moments later same set - just a snoot

Mattel Barbie Photo Designer Digital Camera

03/22/2005 10:31:43 AM · #7

Originally posted by nsbca7:

It doesn't always have to be out of focus. I like the head shots with an out of focus background but I really think the second picture is fine. If you look up studio shots you will see that sometimes they use the background as sort of a prop.

nsbca7

03/22/2005 10:47:19 AM · #8

Originally posted by Sonifo:

Originally posted by nsbca7:

I use available light only, so suggestions from me on studio lighting are not worth much. I do see other major flaws in you portraits though that I would like to point out. I can see the material of your backdrops. They should be a well bokahed blur, which would mean either moving the backdrops further back away from the subject or opening up the aperture a bit. Just my oppinion.

It doesn't always have to be out of focus. I like the head shots with an out of focus background but I really think the second picture is fine. If you look up studio shots you will see that sometimes they use the background as sort of a prop.

Yes I see that a lot at many portrait studios and I have always thought it looked tacky. If it was slighly blurred you would still have the patterns of the backdrop without being able to really tell it was a backdrop. Or at least not being able to see the texture of the material.

03/22/2005 10:56:12 AM · #9

Originally posted by nsbca7:

Originally posted by Sonifo:

Originally posted by nsbca7:

I use available light only, so suggestions from me on studio lighting are not worth much. I do see other major flaws in you portraits though that I would like to point out. I can see the material of your backdrops. They should be a well bokahed blur, which would mean either moving the backdrops further back away from the subject or opening up the aperture a bit. Just my oppinion.

It doesn't always have to be out of focus. I like the head shots with an out of focus background but I really think the second picture is fine. If you look up studio shots you will see that sometimes they use the background as sort of a prop.

Yes I see that a lot at many portrait studios and I have always thought it looked tacky. If it was slighly blurred you would still have the patterns of the backdrop without being able to really tell it was a backdrop. Or at least not being able to see the texture of the material.

To each his own.

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX Aspherical DF for Nikon

03/22/2005 10:57:12 AM · #10

I always use natural light whenever possible. Why set up a studio to recreate the light that's usually coming through your kitchen window? (for instance).

Apple iPhone

03/22/2005 10:57:31 AM · #11

Originally posted by nsbca7:

::puts on Mom look::

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

03/22/2005 11:02:43 AM · #12

Originally posted by GoldBerry:

I always use natural light whenever possible. Why set up a studio to recreate the light that's usually coming through your kitchen window? (for instance).

Sometimes natural lighting isn't available. Consider a cloudy/rainy day. Some folks don't have the big windows to get a good shot with natural lighting. It is always good to use both. Take advantage of technoligy. :-))

jmoore

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

03/22/2005 11:11:03 AM · #13

Use natural light!!!! I specialize in children and find that it is much easier for them because they have some room to wiggle and it is not so intimidating. It you want great shots the children have to be as comfortable as possible. I have a lot of tips for you, but too many to list. Please check out my website and if you have questions email me or call
//www.jamiemoorephotography.com

colda

Nikon D800

03/22/2005 11:18:48 AM · #14

Originally posted by jmoore:

Please do list tips :)

03/22/2005 11:25:16 AM · #15

Originally posted by colda:

Originally posted by jmoore:
I have a lot of tips for you, but too many to list.

Please do list tips :)

Ditto! I'm sure a lot of people would love your tips. :-)

03/22/2005 11:26:47 AM · #16

What lenses do you have, David?

les0910

Canon EOS-5D

03/22/2005 11:41:26 AM · #17

Because kids move around so much, I try to light the area as though I was photographing a group. I use a large umbrella or natural light for fill (my preferred way, however, you need to have a lot of window light to do this), two lights on the background, and an umbrella for the main light. I use a light meter to check exposure, set custom white balance, take a few practice shots, check the histogram, and make adjustments.

You can see my studio set-up here.

I hope this helps. Good luck!

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

03/22/2005 12:11:18 PM · #18

Originally posted by Sonifo:

Originally posted by GoldBerry:
I always use natural light whenever possible. Why set up a studio to recreate the light that's usually coming through your kitchen window? (for instance).

Sometimes natural lighting isn't available. Consider a cloudy/rainy day. Some folks don't have the big windows to get a good shot with natural lighting. It is always good to use both. Take advantage of technoligy. :-))

I did say "whenever possible" :-). And cloudy days produce some of the most vivid colors. I prefer to shoot on a cloudy/overcast day actually.

Canon EOS-20D

03/22/2005 12:30:36 PM · #19

Originally posted by jmoore:

You have some really great stuff there. I suspect many people would appreciate you posting your tips here.

Originally posted by les0910:

You can see my studio set-up here.

I hope this helps. Good luck!

Thanks for posting the photo of your studio. I am always interested in people's set-ups as I am just beginning to learn about studio lighting myself.

03/22/2005 12:31:53 PM · #20

Originally posted by Sonifo:

What lenses do you have, David?

I prefer to use my Tamron 28-75 2.8. But I just bought the Canon 20D with the 17-85 IS so I'll probably play with it this weekend just to get a feel for the quality I'm getting out of it.

I also prefer to shoot portraits on the longer end of the lens, but the "in studio" shots I did forced me down into the wide angle range of my lens (below 50mm) just to get everything in the frame. (another disadvantage to such a small room)

03/22/2005 12:46:02 PM · #21

I did some outdoor portrait-style shots this weekend with both my 70-200 F2.8L and my 28-105 F3.5 and the latter is just terrible. The difference between the two was unmistakeable...I know people who get very good results from the 28-105 but I think mine has seen better days.

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

03/22/2005 12:52:24 PM · #22

By the way, thanks Sonifo and ebertdj for posting shots and jmoore for the link to your website. Those were awesome.

I'd love to see more. (everyone: please feel free to jump in and share)

dsidwell

Canon EOS-5D

03/22/2005 01:05:17 PM · #23

When I take photos of kids, I run around with them on the playground. As long as they know I'm shooting, I can usually get them to "hold still for a sec!" I also hang out around where the best light is on them.

I only have one example online right now:

Message edited by author 2005-03-22 13:08:15.

Imagineer

Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

03/22/2005 01:16:14 PM · #24

I'm interested in this thread and will browse everyone's posts thoroughly later.

My kid shots are limited mainly to candid moments using natural light, so the set-ups are useful here.

- window light

- sunlight

- artificial + natural + fill flash (covered with tissue to dampen)