Suggestions for Child photo using home lighting?

[robh]

I am very, very new at photography, but just bought a Canon Rebel XT and am in love with it. It has brought out the creativity in me, that's for sure. But my question is this. My wife wants me to take a picture of our son for his 4 year old picture. We usually get them done professionally, but with 4 kids, it is getting expensive. So I was wandering if any of you have any sample photos, or suggestions for lighting using ordinary household items such as lamps, halogen lights etc. Also, background ideas?

Thanks,
Rob

[my3peas]

Do you have a north facing room with large windows? The natural light coming in those windows is great. I'm still new to shooting indoors, but I've learned that natural light really does wonders. The problem with the lamps/lighting is that they can tend to be really warm (I guess, not a problem if you are shooting RAW).

Is it warm enough to take the kids outside?

Welcome to the board!

ETA: Sorry this is a kind of short answer, my little ones are calling :) And someone with more experience will chime in soon I think :)

[Casper]

Hi Rob,

The People section of this forum is full of great ideas, photos and photographers.

I also like this blog, http://strobist.blogspot.com/ (start at Lighting 101).

Have fun and post some of your shots.

Steve

[robh]

Actually, I do have a north facing window that is large. Problem is, it is in my dining room. Unless I can come up with some crafty way of making a backdrop, I don't know how to do that. For more clarification, I do have the Canon 50mm f/1.8 lens that I think would be the best one to shoot with.

We just had a blizzard that dumped 14 inches of snow 2 days ago. So unfortunately, going outside for this occasion, won't be possible. (Got plenty of good shots out in the snow though).

Thanks for the quick reply, and I hope that the other experts will chime in once they wake up today!!

Rob

[ChuckW]

The north facing window is an inexpensive alternative and should work out very well for you. One additional thing that you can do is get yourself a sheet of white foam core board and have your wife hold it to provide a little fill light on the side of your subject opposite the window. If you feel it necessary to use a backdrop because the wall or furniture in the room will be distracting most any sheet or drapery that does not conflict with your son's clothes will work. The secret is getting enough separation between your son and the back drop so that he does not seem to merge into the background and so that every wrinkle and crease in the backdrop shows up. A larger aperture helps in this regard.

[brad]

Window light is great.. you can do all kinds of things with it.

I wish I'd added a reflector to this one to lighten the shadow side a bit more... reflectors can be anything.. even a cookie sheet covered in tin-foil.


Snowy conditions can make for some great soft light.. especially if its still cloudy..


And you can get some REALLY good light from any window.. doesn't have to be north facing.. this window lit photo, the window was facing Southwest around 4pm in November. A reflector was used for it.. shot in a hotel room..


The important thing to remember is that really good images can be made without a lot of expensive equipment.. experiment.. you're shooting digital, its not like it costs you anything but time if it doesn't come out right... and you gain experience with every time you snap the shutter.

[robh]

Chuck and Brad. Thank you so much for the comments. Those helped out a ton. I was hoping I wasn't going to get laughed at for not having the professional equipment and trying to go the diy route. But you guys made me even more excited to try this out. I will definitely post what I end up doing. The added picture samples that you provided were a great visual and the stories behind them helped a lot. The last one was my favorite and exactly what I am going for!!

Thanks for the advice, and welcome any others as well before I try. I work at FedEx Kinkos where we have 30x60 foam core that I know I could borrow from the store.

You guys are awesome!!

[carrbowl]

Rob...Don't go outside!!!!!!! My sister sent photos and the wind will knock you kids into Lincoln!!! You could try using a bedspread, quilt or sheet that doesn't look too busy as your backdrop. With your 50 1.8 you should be able to blur the backgroud pretty good. I've done that before and it works well. Good luck and stay warm!!

[robh]

Ok, here are a few test shots. The one that is bluer, is the natural light. The other one is using Photoshop, and the bw one I just thought was cool. Please, critique me as hard as you can. I would love to be able to get some thoughts and ideas of anything I could do differently.

[brad]

Look at your last one and compare it to the first... his head is turned slightly into the window there and because of that, the shadows changed and became less harsh... that's the look I'd be working at getting.

[Casper]

Rob check this link for some tips on Rembrandt lighting.

http://shootingthekids.dpblogs.com/2...mbrandt-light/

I would have your son turn his head in ways other than directly facing the camera (the mug shot).

He reminds me of when I had hair and cowlicks!

Steve

[mramos]

Originally Posted by brad

Look at your last one and compare it to the first... his head is turned slightly into the window there and because of that, the shadows changed and became less harsh... that's the look I'd be working at getting.

What Brad said. You either have to turn his head a little more towards the light or add a reflector to the other side if you dont want so much shadow. A reflector can be some white posterboard or foamcore board.

[robh]

It's funny that you mention that, because I did use a piece of 24x36 white foam core on the left side. Either it was too far away (3 feet or so) or the exposure would have been even worse without it.

But I am confused. There was mention of Rembrandt Lighting in one of the posts, (although these aren't the perfect use of it,) but most of the other posts talk about having more even lighting. So which one should I be going for, the Rembrandt Lighting, or the full face exposure?

Thanks so far for all the tips. My son was a trooper, but didn't want to sit still anymore. I will have to try again on a different day!!

[brad]

One of the components of Rembrandt lighting is the main light is on the side of the face farthest from the camera.. which only describes the last of the photos of your son.... the others are split light.

You could combine what Miguel and I are saying as well.. and move that reflector closer in AND turn his head more toward the light... but if you want Rembrandt, you'll have to lose the reflector. (Rembrandt usually isn't used for boys or young children, though.)

[mramos]

Sometimes the reflector will be just outside of the camera view. Here is a couple I did similar to your setup, but my daughter was about 45 degrees to the window. Didn't have a reflector, but I have a set of about 3 large windows on one side of the wall, and all the other walls are white. You can see the window catchlights in her eyes.