I have taken on the task of setting up a garage studio to photograph my kids (ages 2 1/2 and 5 months). The setup consists of a white backdrop with two halogen lights on stands to light up the background and subjects. I have an N90s, SB-26, SC-17 for off-camera flash, Cable Release and tripod. I will be shooting B&W film. Regarding equipment and materials: What B&W film will produce quality 8x10 prints with no grain? [I do not shoot with B&W very often.] Given the film choice, will any pushing or pulling be required? If so, how much? The processing and printing will be done by a lab. I do not have a Darkroom. I live South of San Francisco, CA, so any local or mailorder lab recommendations are also welcome. What lens to use for portraits . . . 85mm, 105mm, 135mm, or 80-200mm?

Regarding technique: Given a particular lens choice, what will be the optimal f-stop to keep subjects in focus and background out of focus? I suppose this would include suggestions as to subject/background distance, as well as subject/camera distance. What is the typical studio setup? Any concerns for onboard flash -- compensation, rear sync, std TTL, etc? Should I worry about bracketing my shots? If so, how much . . . 1/3, 2/3, etc? To use the tripod or not to use the tripod? I have a Tilt & Pan head, which will be difficult to use, but my subjects will not be running around (at least the 5-month-old), so it might not be that bad. Should I worry about using any filters? What about clothing color choices -- Are there any I should avoid?

As you can see, some of these questions are basic, others are not. I have good experience with my equipment and take pictures regularly. Having said that, I have not had the time (for obvious reason) to do extensive experimentation. I am hoping this community can speed up my learning curve. If anyone can think of any other things to worry about or advice, feel free to jump in.

Thank you, in advance, for any/all responses.

Cheers, Joe

-- Joe Ratti (joe_ratti@yahoo.com), March 30, 2001

Answers

Since you won't be developing yourself, you'd probably be best off using Ilford XP-2 or Kodak TCN-400. Actually these films are ok for your small format because these films use dyes instead of grain. So your enlargements will look "sharp". I like the moderate focal length lenses, 85 and 105mm. Use large apertures to keep only your subject in focus ... f/4 or larger. You might want to visit the Calumet store in San Francisco if you have questions about lighting. They are very helpful.

-- floren (flcpge@yahoo.com), March 30, 2001.

Whew! Joe, that's a lot of tough questions. I don't know if we can even start to answer everything. It would probably take a whole book to cover all the areas you've asked about. That's why I'm going to suggest that you start by checking out the books at your local library, camera store, and book store that cover the basic techniques of portraiture. Kodak has some books on the basic portraiture and lighting as do a number of others.

Beyond that, the only suggestions I can offer without getting too deeply into the complex technicalities of lighting setups are simple ones. Don't push or pull your film. Expose it normally, develop it normally, and control contrast by controlling your lighting. Don't operate your camera or flash in any auto-exposure mode. Auto- exposure will produce inconsistencies and errors in exposure that can easily be fatal (to the images, not the camera operator). If the lighting is properly controlled, there will be no need to bracket exposures. And, finally, get all of this worked out before you try photographing the kids. To be successful here, it is going to take a little research, experimentation, and practice. But, it can be worth all the trouble. Good luck!

-- Ken Burns (kenburns@twave.net), March 30, 2001.

The best advice I can think of is: Keep it simple! Kids are hard enough to photograph as it is. Test your set-up to get your exposure right, set the lights so you have a broad area of correct lighting, place the little darlings somewhere in the middle, and shoot like it is going to be outlawed tomorrow. Use a wide aperture and selective focus to keep the attention where it should be, and by all means, KEEP THE EYES IN FOCUS!!! No matter how artistic your lighting, if "the windows of the soul" are not sharply focussed, he whole thing will not work. Notice Yosef Karsh's portraits. Powerful stuff, and the eyes are ALWAYS in focus.Have Fun! CC

-- Carl Crosby (Humminboid@aol.com), April 08, 2001.

Joe,

I've been photographing my children for 14 years now. I average about two rolls a month. I've gone a different route. Instead of trying to reproduce a "studio" look, I've gone to natural light inside the house. Natural window light is much more pleasing and enduring to me than studio flash. I wish I had examples on the web that I could let you look at but for now I've chosen not to put my kids pictures out on the web.

I use a 50mm lens and high speed (400 or 800 ASA) film. The Kodak T- 400 CN mentioned above is great stuff. I have a 20x24 inch enlargement that looks terrific.

I like the 50mm lens because, for tight portraits, I can stand/kneel close enough to them to reach out and fix their hair, or shirt, or something and still be in position to grab the shot. (50mm lenses are typically fast enough to shot in available light also.)

I don't find the "shorter than normal portrait length" of the 50 to be a problem with kids. Their features are small enough that noses etc. don't look too long. Actualy I think it tends to give a nice, round, feel to the pictures.

My advice in a nutshell:

1. Get close, then get closer 2. Turn off the flash and move over by the window 3. Shoot lots of film

Good luck, you will never regret the effort you spend taking photos of your kids.

- Jay

-- Jay Johnson (jay_johnson@delmia.com), April 11, 2001.

I would also recommend the XP2 approach (use chromogenic b&w) unless you're doing your own printing. Also, highly recommended is the new Portra 400BW chromogenic film that prints very good b&w via standard minilabs.

as far as kids go, don't forget a wrangler! That's the person (probably your wife) who stands behind you and draws the kids attention back to the photographer (young kids have an attention span measured in milliseconds).

without a *lot* of practice your studio shots will only look like the average walmart studio shot. go for the original compositions in the relaxed atmosphere of your house or outside in the open.

best of luck

-- Shourya Ray (sray@shouryaray.com), May 02, 2001.