PreNatal photos

[thedutt]

My wife is pregnant (27 months) and I have been tasked by her to take her prenatal photos every couple of weeks :-). I have come to realization that this is not an easy thing to do by any stretch of imagination. Both me and my wife a bit on the healthy side, and I am seeking advice from the pros here on what would be the best way to take the photos. Flickr search has given some ideas, but not quite as practical.

My current setup includes: 20D, sigma 30mm f1.4, newly aquired canon 50 1.4, canon 70-200 f4, canon 85 1.8 on the way and sigma 500DG Super. I am a lighting illiterate, so after some research just ordered a 530 EX ,so with my sigma 500DG, I now have the abilty for a 2 flash setup. (Can you tell I am buying the gear before the baby comes?;0) )

Any technique recommendations? Any must reads? Thank you in advance for your thoughts.

[Al Buckner]

Originally Posted by thedutt

My wife is pregnant (27 months) ....

You must be real excited about this pregnancy.... but 27 MONTHS seems a little unusual !!!

[thedutt]

lol... cannot type.. it is 27 weeks :)

[krodgers]

i think you have some good equipment to perform the shot. just browse the internet on some other pregnancy pictures for some shot examples.

[LWimages]

I just did one with only one 580EX, powered manually with a Elinchrom Skyport. Shot through an umbrella, on a light stand on camera left closer to me. I was lucky that there was a huge glass door from the left side closer to the black backdrop as well and enough light from the right.

http://flickr.com/search/?q=Jennifer...99873420%40N00

So, with your equipment, you can put your 430EX on a light stand with a shoot-through umbrella and adjust the power accordingly or use TTL with the Sigma.

[thedutt]

Originally Posted by louis24x7

I just did one with only one 580EX, powered manually with a Elinchrom Skyport. Shot through an umbrella, on a light stand on camera left closer to me. I was lucky that there was a huge glass door from the left side closer to the black backdrop as well and enough light from the right.

http://flickr.com/search/?q=Jennifer...99873420%40N00

So, with your equipment, you can put your 430EX on a light stand with a shoot-through umbrella and adjust the power accordingly or use TTL with the Sigma.

Thanks Louis, Your photos look great.... Ok a super newbie question.. any recommendations on umbrela/ light stand? not looking for the high end gear, just something that would be enough to get by with...

[LWimages]

If you're near a camera store, just get the small shoot through umbrella and any cheapie light stand would work, since you'll be working indoor. Maybe get one that can stand a bit taller than your wife.
My umbrella cost $25 http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...te_Satin_.html

The light stand was $80 http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...ght_Stand.html

And I got one of these to put the umbrella and flash on the light stand http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...hoe_Mount.html

[thedutt]

Thank you Louis! I will check it out at the local store this weekend.

[rott]

Originally Posted by louis24x7

And I got one of these to put the umbrella and flash on the light stand http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...hoe_Mount.html

Hey Louis, I bought that exact model and promptly returned it due to a problem I had with it. The "set screw" that applies pressure to the metal tripod post in that unit would not tighten down enough to keep the thing from swiveling freely. In other words, a light breeze or a slight bump and the umbrella was spinning. Did you not experience this? I suppose if all the shoots are indoors with no wind and nobody near the stand it wouldn't matter, but this bugged me about that particular adapter.

[roshani]

Hey louis,

Great photo's. Curious, is your lightstand pretty portable? I have been thinking about getting one, but want one easy to lug around.

[LWimages]

Yes it is.
It is actually about the same size as my background stand.
I also have a Photoflex light stand that's shorter that is more portable.
If you're coming to the Richardson garage shoot, I'll bring both of them.

[roshani]

I'll be there, look forward to checking out both stands!