Baby portrait

[surenj]

Unfortunately wasn't allowed to use flash. Is it really harmful to use flash at this age? I wonder what Anne Geddes uses?

Anyways... As always appreciate your C&C.

[MATT]

Lovely image. Soft tones compliment the newborn.

I am told flash can damage there eyes. Not sure about when they are closed but???


MATT

[mikephotog]

For my sins I spent many years shooting babys in a studio and never had any of them go blind on me lol. Given that the flash would be equal to or less than outdoor daylight then im guessing that whoever said "no flash" has also told the parents not to take the baby outdoors. For some years now I have worked as a clinical photographer, shooting many retinal images on both midriatic and non midriatic retinal cameras and the flash on that certainly causes no harm. I've also asked many doctors and ophthalmologists and they have said there is no evidence to support any claim of harm due to flash. Lovely shot and I like the treatment.

[W00DY]

For my sins I spent many years shooting babys in a studio and never had any of them go blind on me lol. Given that the flash would be equal to or less than outdoor daylight then im guessing that whoever said "no flash" has also told the parents not to take the baby outdoors. For some years now I have worked as a clinical photographer, shooting many retinal images on both midriatic and non midriatic retinal cameras and the flash on that certainly causes no harm. I've also asked many doctors and ophthalmologists and they have said there is no evidence to support any claim of harm due to flash. Lovely shot and I like the treatment.

I agree.

Plus if you just bounce the flash (if you can) then it is even less intense to the baby.

[MATT]

For my sins I spent many years shooting babys in a studio and never had any of them go blind on me lol. Given that the flash would be equal to or less than outdoor daylight then im guessing that whoever said "no flash" has also told the parents not to take the baby outdoors. For some years now I have worked as a clinical photographer, shooting many retinal images on both midriatic and non midriatic retinal cameras and the flash on that certainly causes no harm. I've also asked many doctors and ophthalmologists and they have said there is no evidence to support any claim of harm due to flash. Lovely shot and I like the treatment.

Well that seems to clear that one up...

Regards
MATT

[Reschsmooth]

For my sins I spent many years shooting babys in a studio and never had any of them go blind on me lol. Given that the flash would be equal to or less than outdoor daylight then im guessing that whoever said "no flash" has also told the parents not to take the baby outdoors.

I never argue with those who know more than me (hence I am not very argumentative ), but I would have thought there was a big difference between ambient, outdoor light and a pulsed single point of light, with respect to any effect on the eye/sight of the baby? Particularly in TTL mode with the pre-flashes? Does that mean that light is light, irrespective of the size of light source and duration of the light?

[surenj]

Thanks for your answers guys...

I was thinking of using the Golden eagle soft box

If the "flash is harmful" idea is true, then what do the famous baby photogs use? Continuous lights?

[zafra52]

I've never heard of not using a flash because it harms the baby. The poor thing looks exhausted from the experience and even a elephant stampede near by wouldn't wake him/her up. It must be a different reason! Gorgeous photo though regardless of the flash.

[Mitchell]

As the forum's resident ophthalmologist I can only agree with mikephotog - there is no problem with using flash for the eyes.

We shine equivalently bright lights directly and constantly into a dilated pupil to see what if there are any problems inside the eye. A flash by contrast is short and only a small amount of the total light will make it through the pupil.

Flash away Suren - nice shot - have you performed different curve adjustments on bub and the background? Does bub share your genes?

[surenj]

Thanks for your expert opinion Mitchell! I totally forgot about what you do for a living

have you performed different curve adjustments on bub and the background? Does bub share your genes?

Ahem.. I kinda did much more than curves on this picture. Cloning, desaturate, channel mixing, added butterflies and ducks ?maybe softening as well...not sure about exact workflow but only took about half an hour so not too intricate.

This one is related but does not share genes Therefore I won't be able to convince them that my big softbox or small 430EX just fine and dandy... But then when I get my own...........