Camera Settings for Newborn Photography – Aperture for Digitals
Spring has finally sprung around here in Victoria, Canada and somehow the sunshine and flowers blooming always gives an extra spring in everyone’s step! How about you? Have you been busy with nose to the grindstone, or have you been able to carve out a little time to enjoy the changing seasons?
RELATED POSTS FOR BEGINNER NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHERS:
TIP #2 PROPER LIGHTING FOR NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHY
TIP #3 POSITIONING BABY FOR PERFECT DIGITAL BACKGROUND COMPOSITES
IMPROVE YOUR WRAPPING TODAY WITH THESE 5 TIPS!!
Camera settings for newborn photography
Today, we’re talking about aperture for newborn photography & why it’s important to change things just a touch for shooting for digital backdrops. Here’s why: Usually when shooting newborn photos it is recommended to keep the aperture wide open. This gives a lovely focus on baby’s eyes and nose and lips and then helps to blur (bokeh) the rest of the image softly into the backdrop. It’s really pretty and or course is great for most of your images. Some photographers shoot as wide open as F1.2. I choose somewhere between F2.8 – 3.2 the majority of the time.
However, when shooting for digitals, be mindful that the original digital layout I created is shot at F4.0 in order for the florals and wreaths and fluff to have a little more depth (greater area of focus). So if the newborn image you are looking to cut and paste into the digital layout is shot at 1.8 or wide open aperture the composite will not look as realistic as if you had taken the newborn image at the same aperture as the digital, F4.0. Does that make sense?!!
I suggest adjusting your camera settings to F4.0 to shoot for your digital layout then change out your lens & capture a few macro shots with your macro lens (Best Macro Lens for Newborn Photography). This will insure you capturing those sweet little lips and eyelashes & fingertips before you adjust your camera settings back to a lower F-stop.
I know I struggled a lot with the concept of aperture when I first started. The best way to get used to these changes in camera settings is to experiment! Practice a little on a doll or a teddy bear in one of your posing baskets and see what a difference the different aperture settings make to your photos. Then when you have your littlest clients into the studio you will feel confident knowing how to set your camera in order to be organized while shooting.
Be sure to stay tuned next week where we will begin our posing series. I will be starting with some of my favourites (that are easy for using with digital composites). Don’t hesitate to drop me a line via email to let me know how I can help YOU!!
If you haven’t already, come and join our Closed Facebook Group to learn tips & join our community to grow your photography business.
Talk again soon!
Amanda xo
RELATED POSTS FOR BEGINNER NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHERS:
TIP #2 PROPER LIGHTING FOR NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHY
TIP #3 POSITIONING BABY FOR PERFECT DIGITAL BACKGROUND COMPOSITES
Pingback: Your Guide to Shutter Speed | Newborn Digital Backdrops and Photography Backgrounds