Photographing Babies with an OctoDome and Strobe

Using an Umbrella as the Key Light

We started by positioning the infant on a seamless white backdrop, wide enough to allow the child plenty of movement. We asked Mom to sit close to her son, but just out of the frame. This way she could help us to position him and then quickly remove her hands before we took the shot.

For our first shot, we positioned a Photoflex 60" Convertible Umbrella with a Photoflex StarFlash 650 to the left of the camera at about 45 degrees to the child (figure 1). Mom helped us to sit him up, and our assistant made some funny faces to get his attention. As soon as the child looked towards the camera we took our first shot (figure 2).

If this is the wonderful type of portrait you are looking for, the StarFlash 650 strobe with an Umbrella attachment is the right equipment for you.

USING STROBES: Anyone who has tried to photograph an infant in the studio probably knows the value of strobes. One of the major advantages of strobes versus continuous lights is their ability to freeze action. Another advantage is that a strobe allows for much greater depth of field, which is very useful when the subject is inclined to move around, in and out of the plane of focus.

For this lesson we chose the StarFlash 650 because we wanted a little bit of extra power to allow for faster recycle time (another vital issue when you don't have time to wait for that perfect moment to come around again). For more information about using the Photoflex StarFlash, check out the lesson titled, "Photoflex StarFlash - Basic Startup." This shoot could also be done with a StarFlash 300.

Using the OctoDome: small as the Key Light

As you can see, the result (figure 2) is good using just one umbrella. The light is relatively spread out, reaching both the subject as well as the backdrop. The angle of the light in relation to the baby creates good modeling on his face. Nevertheless, we felt this lighting to be far from ideal especially for an infant. First of all, the quality of the light is still harsh and creates a high contrast causing bright highlights and deep shadows. To improve on this result, we wanted to make the light softer and to gain more control over the direction of our light source.

To do this, we decided to swap out the umbrella for an OctoDome: small, which is designed to soften the light considerably and is widely recommended for portraiture. We set up our OctoDome with the same StarFlash 650 that we used in the previous step and positioned it at the same 45-degree angle to the subject (figure 3). The result (figure 4) shows how the 3 ft. OctoDome has softened the light allowing for a much smoother gradation across the baby's face. Also notice that the light is no longer reaching the background. This is important, because it allows the background to be treated separately from the subject.

Again, this is a great shot, so if you feel this is the type of portrait you are looking for, the StarFlash 650 with the OctoDome: small is the right equipment.

Switching to the StarFlash 650 5-Foot OctoDome Kit

While we were happy with our results using the 3 ft. OctoDome, we felt there were still a few improvements to be made. The main problem we noticed right away is that the light source was now much smaller. This became a real issue when our model decided (very spontaneously) to reposition just outside of where the light was hitting and then to do his best "cute face." To solve this problem we decided to try a larger soft box, which would allow the baby a larger area to move around in and still be fully lit.

For our next shot, we pulled out a StarFlash 650 5-Foot OctoDome Kit, and positioned it in place of the OctoDome: small we were using before (figure 5). Our photographers got the baby's attention with a rattle toy in one hand while looking through the viewfinder. As soon as our model looked up, we took the shot (figure 6).

In the resulting image (figure 6), the light is even softer creating beautiful, almost painterly modeling across the baby's face. Most of the shine and bright highlights on the baby's face, which were there even with the 3-foot OctoDome, have now disappeared. The background is still in shadow and there is now plenty of room for the infant to move around within the path of the light.

Here’s the shot we were looking for, and if you agree that this is the type of portrait you are looking for, the Photoflex StarFlash 650 Mercury 5-Foot OctoDome Kit is the equipment you want.

The images below (figure 7) are a comparison of the three light modifiers we used so far. These are the 60-inch Convertible Umbrella (left), the OctoDome: small (middle), and the OctoDome: medium (right).

Adding a Fill Light

Satisfied with the quality of our key light-only shot, we decided to take our baby portrait to the next level by incorporating a fill light. To do this, with attached our small OctoDome (used as the key light in previous steps) to another StarFlash 650. Using our flash meter and the proportional dial on the StarFlash, we dialed in a power ratio of 1:2. This means that our key light (the 5-foot OctoDome) was set to put out twice as much light as the fill light. This also translates to a one-stop difference in the amount of light being put out by each strobe. We set our fill light just to the right of the camera pointed directly at the baby (figure 8).

In the result (figure 9) notice how the second light has filled in the shadow side of the baby's face with beautiful soft light, without over-powering the key light. Now our portrait has a much more natural, balanced look.

Using a StarFlash 300 in a WhiteDome nxt: medium

The image above (figure 9) could very well be considered a final shot and we could have safely stopped there. Nevertheless, we wanted to see if we could improve this portrait even more by adding another light to fill in the background and add a little bit of light extra light on the infant from the top.

To do this we set up a Photoflex StarFlash 300 in a medium WhiteDome nxt on a boom and positioned it slightly behind and directly above the infant. The WhiteDome nxt is an extremely useful soft box designed with translucent sidewalls as well as a translucent face. Any of the sidewalls can be blocked off with black Velcro panel attachments for more traditional soft box use.

We blocked off the front side of the WhiteDome nxt (the side facing the camera) and pointed the soft box so that most of the light would fall onto the backdrop directly behind the infant (figure 10). By now, our infant was getting a little bit tired of seeing flashes go off and huge lights being moved around. After positioning our final lighting setup, we decided to take a break and let everyone, including our star model, unwind a little bit. We also took this opportunity to try on a few hats and to think about other ways to pose the baby besides the seated position repeated in the shots above.

For our final shot, we picked a blue baseball cap to match his outfit. This time, he was not as cooperative for the seated pose and preferred to crawl around, so we let him do just that. Thankfully, our 5-foot OctoDome was large enough to spread out the light, allowing some extra room for the baby to crawl.

After a few awkward shots of the baby crawling and rolling over on his back, we finally captured our end result (figure 11). Notice how the WhiteDome nxt has filled in the background, creating a smooth, even tone from front to back. Also, notice how the extra little bit of light coming from the top has helped to define the baby giving him much more presence in the shot.

At this point, our star model decided that enough was enough and he refused to take any more pictures. Thankfully, we already had the shot that we were after, so we decided to test the same lighting concept, this time with his older sister. We had her lie down on the seamless backdrop in the same place as her brother and took a few shots. The image shown on the left (figure 12) is one of the better shots we took. Notice how the WhiteDome has added a little bit of light to her hair making for a very nice, finished look.

As you can see, the right lighting tools and a some basic knowledge of portrait lighting can go a long way towards creating gorgeous infant portraits. Remember that the larger the soft box, the softer the light. Also, using a larger box allows the baby a lot more movement with in the frame. Most of all, just remember to be patient, keep the lighting simple, and have fun!