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Hi Everyone,

Some of your may remember our friends have been expecting twins, while finally they were forced to meet the world, born yesterday around lunch time. Mum and babies (as yet un-named) are all doing well, and are very cute! Well we went to visit last night (I took my camera) but we got carried away nursing them and watching them get measured, etc that I didn't take any photos.

I did however have a question, due to earlier comments on the board about flash photography and very young babies. Is it safe to use flash (I only have the onboard speedlight, but still it is bright on little eyes). I had planned on using 2 or 3 tissues and a rubber band in a "ghetto DYI"
diffuser, it was the best I could think of when I was rushing out the door.

As I didn't get any shots, I lent my D70 and kit to the father so he could take some whenever he wanted (he only wanted to take jpeg, not raw.... ) but I think he was interested in quanity.

So is there any evidence that babies are harmed by the flash ? Would my make shift diffuser been enough to take the sting out the flash yet still deliver a bit more light on the babies ?

I thought I'd give you a mug shot of the two cuties off my wifes phone (eek).

Hi Alpha
the amount of flash photography I took when our twins were born (some 4 months ago now) was probably astonishing to most people (150+ photos on the first day ). However, I was lucky enough to own a SB800 at that stage,so all of it was bounce flash.

As for using the onboard flash, I'd think you'll be fine if they are sleeping (as their eyes will be closed) but direct bursts of light into their eyes might not be appreciated by both the bubbs & the parents. Maybe if you put a few layers of greaseproof paper (for cooking) or the like, as you've suggested, over the flash that may help. You'll just need to remember to compensate for the loss of light from the flash.

Another possibility is to get a 50mm 1 4 or 1.8 lens. Then you might even be lucky enough to have enough available light, without using flash at all

Good luck....

Hey... very good question! Ive got a SB600 and when taking pics of lil ones Ive just used bounced flash off the roof or else diffused flash.. and as far as Ive ever looked into it, nothing ever went wrong.. any doctors around here that could confirm that?

How young is "too young" for bright flashes, anyway?

I'm planning to attack my nephew quite vigorously with my new D70s when we go visit them in Geelong over Christmas.. He will be about 3 months old. That'd be old enough to subject to moderate usage of the on-board flash, surely? I'm hoping to have enough natural light (plus maybe a 50mm/1. not to have to use very much flash.

I have asked several doctors and nurses and there is no problems they eyes are fully formed and react the same as anyones eyes.
But it can still be annoying and disturbing, I would prefer to take shots by an open window or bounce flash.