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BnBdreamin
Gonna be a BIG Bro in April!
Member since 10/06 5913 total posts
Name:
Denise
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Cake smash test pics... could use some photog/background/lighting tips...
I plan on doing DS' cake smash after his birthday but I played around when the paper came in. Bri's post with her pink paper gave me some ideas but I thought I'd see what else may help.
I'm using "true blue" taped against a wall with plexi glass on the floor. It is much darker and more bright than I thought. I also just got today "chestnut" which is/should be a dark brown that I may use instead (some of the pics on the blue make him look pastey pale blue green!).
My thing is, I really want to get his eyes crisp and blue and clear. I'll admit that I do not know my camera (Nikon D60) and speed flash (SB-600) as well as I should so I tend to be an "auto" shooter.  I just find it so daunting to pick up the book but I'm sure I'll get so much better if I do! Anyone have a quick setting suggestion/tip?
If I get closer to natural light and maybe not even use the filler flash, would I get a more pale background color?
Here are few unedited (except for smudging out the plexi line in some) test shots. I get a different color every time. Image Attachment(s):
Message edited 6/15/2010 11:06:36 PM.
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Posted 6/15/10 11:03 PM  |
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BnBdreamin
Gonna be a BIG Bro in April!
Member since 10/06 5913 total posts
Name:
Denise
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Re: Cake smash test pics... could use some photog/background/lighting tips...
And what "tool" do you use to blend in the plexi line? I am so not versed in photoshop so all I did was smudge it a little.
While I had the paper out, I did a little Father's Day shoot. Still not crazy about the coloring, I always go to black and white. 
Thanks for any suggestions!  Image Attachment(s):
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| Posted 6/15/10 11:05 PM |
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BnBdreamin
Gonna be a BIG Bro in April!
Member since 10/06 5913 total posts
Name:
Denise
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Re: Cake smash test pics... could use some photog/background/lighting tips...
Oh and what's the rule of thumb with the plexi reflextion and cropping? I feel bad cutting off DS' head in the reflextion but I just cannot keep it all in all the time.  Is it okay to cut it off?
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| Posted 6/15/10 11:08 PM |
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ABCiverson
<3 my family
Member since 1/06 7465 total posts
Name:
Amanda
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Re: Cake smash test pics... could use some photog/background/lighting tips...
Try to keep him at least 2-3 feet from the backdrop, just move the whole plexi too. I personally use the clone tool to get rid of the plexi line, there might be an easier way.
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| Posted 6/15/10 11:24 PM |
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4PsInaPod
My Loves <3
Member since 7/07 10079 total posts
Name:
D
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Re: Cake smash test pics... could use some photog/background/lighting tips...
i have no answers....but is that a mini leather recliner? b/c that might be just the cutest thing ever!!!
Message edited 6/15/2010 11:28:15 PM.
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| Posted 6/15/10 11:26 PM |
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Bluepixie
Mamarazzi
Member since 6/07 2618 total posts
Name:
Laura
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Re: Cake smash test pics... could use some photog/background/lighting tips...
Awesome shots. Love the ones of him in the chair!
It looks like you have a big window (maybe a slider?) on the left of him (to his right). I'd put a white, trifold board (the kind you get for science projects) to YOUR right to bounce the light up onto that side of his face..
Also, don't be afraid to put your camera on a manual setting (try Aperture priority. That one is the simplest if you're afraid of going ALL manual).
You could use your SB600 as the extra light if you need to. Just make sure the flash head is turned around BEHIND you so it's bouncing off the ceiling and not hitting him straight on.
I can play with the pics a little in PS if you want when you're done.
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| Posted 6/16/10 6:35 AM |
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Bluepixie
Mamarazzi
Member since 6/07 2618 total posts
Name:
Laura
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Re: Cake smash test pics... could use some photog/background/lighting tips...
Posted by BnBdreamin
Oh and what's the rule of thumb with the plexi reflextion and cropping? I feel bad cutting off DS' head in the reflextion but I just cannot keep it all in all the time. Is it okay to cut it off?
Generaly, you shouldn't "chop' off any limbs in photos - but if it's a reflection, I don't think it matters. You can see his feet reflected and that's the cutest detail. If, say, he was looking DOWN at the cake - you might want to make sure you can see his reflection in the plexi then. Otherwise I wouldn't worry it about. 
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| Posted 6/16/10 6:39 AM |
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BnBdreamin
Gonna be a BIG Bro in April!
Member since 10/06 5913 total posts
Name:
Denise
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Re: Cake smash test pics... could use some photog/background/lighting tips...
Thanks! I'll try again with him further from the backdrop. And I just found my camera manual so I'll try to read up on some settings!
Do you think plexi or no plexi for the cake smash?
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| Posted 6/16/10 9:07 AM |
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KennysMommy
Never knew LOVE like it before
Member since 3/10 2640 total posts
Name:
Danielle
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Re: Cake smash test pics... could use some photog/background/lighting tips...
I have the same camera as you (D60) and found that the aperature setting is pretty good if you aren't ready to go fully manual just yet. I also play with the WB on it too - but find I'm using auto for that and adjust afterwards.
I would use the plexi for the cake smash to keep the paper from getting "wet" and discoloring.
ETA: I don't know why I didn't finish my thought about the WB but here it is: You might want to set the WB on custom if using the blue paper to make sure DS doesn't turn blue/green like you mentioned. You can use a plain piece of white paper to do it. It should help.
Message edited 6/16/2010 12:33:07 PM.
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| Posted 6/16/10 12:29 PM |
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sweetie
Member since 8/06 1730 total posts
Name:
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Re: Cake smash test pics... could use some photog/background/lighting tips...
don't know anything about taking pics but I love the last pic in the recliner!!!
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| Posted 6/16/10 12:47 PM |
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BnBdreamin
Gonna be a BIG Bro in April!
Member since 10/06 5913 total posts
Name:
Denise
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Re: Cake smash test pics... could use some photog/background/lighting tips...
Posted by DPerotti
i have no answers....but is that a mini leather recliner? b/c that might be just the cutest thing ever!!!
Not a recliner... just a leather wingback chair from Target! 
Thanks everyone. I'll see what I can do with the WB.
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| Posted 6/16/10 4:07 PM |
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Lola
LIF Adult
Member since 1/07 1854 total posts
Name:
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Re: Cake smash test pics... could use some photog/background/lighting tips...
Great pictures!! I love the b&w Father's day one. I'm going to attempt to do my own cake smash pictures soon. We should ask Michelle for help on Friday. Where did you get the back drop paper from?
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| Posted 6/16/10 4:47 PM |
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Superkat
More a stranger than a friend
Member since 5/06 9730 total posts
Name:
K
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Re: Cake smash test pics... could use some photog/background/lighting tips...
The lighting is one of the first things that needs to be fixed. The babies face is too dark. You need to bounce the flash too.
Also, make sure when you are focusing, that you are on the baby, not the floor or toy etc. You want the face to be sharp, more than say his belly. Keep working on it!
This website is great for "tips and tricks" on improving your skills
http://digital-photography-school.com/
Message edited 6/16/2010 5:06:24 PM.
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| Posted 6/16/10 5:04 PM |
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BnBdreamin
Gonna be a BIG Bro in April!
Member since 10/06 5913 total posts
Name:
Denise
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Re: Cake smash test pics... could use some photog/background/lighting tips...
Posted by Lola
Great pictures!! I love the b&w Father's day one. I'm going to attempt to do my own cake smash pictures soon. We should ask Michelle for help on Friday. Where did you get the back drop paper from?
We should! I got the papers from two different places I think. I did a google for savage seamless paper colors and decided which color I wanted. Then I googled with the color name and size "savage seamless paper true blue 53" and clicked "shopping" and bought the best price. I got the brown through Amazon from Adorama Camera and the blue directly from B&H photo. Both came very fast.
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| Posted 6/16/10 8:37 PM |
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BnBdreamin
Gonna be a BIG Bro in April!
Member since 10/06 5913 total posts
Name:
Denise
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Re: Cake smash test pics... could use some photog/background/lighting tips...
Posted by Superkat
The lighting is one of the first things that needs to be fixed. The babies face is too dark. You need to bounce the flash too.
Also, make sure when you are focusing, that you are on the baby, not the floor or toy etc. You want the face to be sharp, more than say his belly. Keep working on it!
This website is great for "tips and tricks" on improving your skills
http://digital-photography-school.com/
Thanks. I'll have to try to "focus" on the focus! Maybe I'll try some on manual and see what happens. As far as lighting, I have no other equipment but the speed light so when you say "bounce" it, do you mean off a wall or ceiling. I try to keep it pretty much behind me depending on what I'm doing. I'm all over the place sometimes. I'm up, I'm down, horizontal, verticle, so I keep spinning the flash. Should I just back out the frame and keep it steady and just crop after? That's where I get intimidated on manual settings because I'm never shooting from the same place twice. I'd never keep up.
I can try relocating closer to more natural light. I just have to figure out how to hang the paper. I have a railing in a split level and not sure if it's high enough for all the shots I have planned. But I'll try this spot when I open the chestnut paper.
Thanks for the site rec too. I'll have to check it out some day when I have time. I'm so not a reader!
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| Posted 6/16/10 8:44 PM |
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BnBdreamin
Gonna be a BIG Bro in April!
Member since 10/06 5913 total posts
Name:
Denise
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Re: Cake smash test pics... could use some photog/background/lighting tips...
Oh... anyone have any good tricks to reinvent DC's smile when you take pics? I can get smiles from Nolan all day long with physical contact and play but put a big black camera in front of my face and I get a sitting duck! I'm all out of noises and exciting shaky toys! I may have to bring in a helper like my sister or someone. DH would NEVER have the patience for this!
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| Posted 6/16/10 8:46 PM |
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