newborn shots

[dk]

I sure need some advice. I haven't been able to find specific info on photographing newborns anywhere and so here I am soliciting your help. I'm using a D70 with my newly acquired Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 (love the lens especially the price; $129 USD). I don't have PhotoShop and so I'm very limited on PP.

Here are two pics; the first seems a bit flat. I bounced the flash and converted it to B&W because the baby's skin tone is very red.

The second pic I'm happier with but still looking for help; this is my first newborn photo session.






Thanks for your help.

dk
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[Glen]

DK, both look red to me, red X's. Maybe your photo host is being uncooperative?

[dk]

Thank you Glen for your reply. I should qualify my original post by saying Sophia is a very red-skinned little girl.

If anyone would like to go to my smugmug site at http://www.dkphotography.smugmug.com you can view the EXIF and perhaps help me fix the red and other problems. BTW, I'm returning on Saturday to shoot more.

Thanks,

dk

[Geoff]

Dk - you've done well.
The first image I would have gotten in much closer, in my opinion (and it's only that) I would have gotten in a lot closer and eliminated all the space to the left of the shot... The Mum's hand looks a bit too dominating for the uniqueness of the image...It is tho a special moment.


The 2nd image is good but I agree about the element of red in the bub's face..mind if I have a play with it? Nice shot tho definately.

You've started off well.

[dk]

Geoff,

Please, be my guest.

dk

[Geoff]

I just bought back the red from it a bit...don't know if it's actually improved it or not. Food for thought..

[Geoff]

Also something that I have become increasingly aware of as I've started out...carefully be aware of your backgrounds...this is sooo imperitive and has proven a challenge for me...just step back a bit before you shoot and think about what will be in the background. A very wise member from this forum has suggested I do this very thing and it not only makes me think of the background but leads my mind onto other crucial factors for a reminder, i.e lighting, position etc etc etc....

[Geoff]

Geoff,

Please, be my guest.

dk

You live in a suburb in the USA that's named after a foreign fork?!?

[dk]

That looks better. Did you use PhotoShop? Some day when the money starts rolling in I'll buy PhotoShop but then I'll have to learn how to use it. Heavens mate, I'm still trying to figure out how to use my SpeedLight.

Spanish Fork named for a Spanish explorer looking for a route to California. It really is a beautiful place. We live just beneath the Wasatch Mountains, part of the Rocky Mountains, and south of another utensil; American Fork.

Thanks for your help.

dk



Here's a better crop of the first pic. I still am puzzled why it appears so flat. I'll start noticing the background with greater care; good advice. Thanks again for your help.