Cake smash...

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Deleted member 88367

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Hey guys, my first post in here so hi.

I've got a cake smash to do on the weekend and I'm kinda stressing out as to if I want to do it or not. I'm mainly a landscape guy but I'm only doing it really to help them out. I have all the equipment except a backdrop and flooring. Where is a reasonable place to get these from? Regards to flooring, what do you use? I'm assuming it's not the back drop as this would get pretty messy. Lastly, what size back drop would you use?

Thanks in advance
 
I use a background bought off Amazon which really worked when I did one for my sister in laws grandchild

I put a piece of clear Perspex on the background “floor” to protect it and reflect a little
It looked really effective and they were very pleased. The whole look wall etc and floor is one background very clever and only about £8 or so

579F516A-6C37-4055-A8E0-72176AC6DBB2.jpeg
 
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I like that look, simple but very effective. I've gone with a similar style off Amazon, but a brick wall in the back (couldn't find a plain one). That perspex idea is actually decent! Where did you buy that from?
 
Joseph89 said:
I like that look, simple but very effective. I've gone with a similar style off Amazon, but a brick wall in the back (couldn't find a plain one). That perspex idea is actually decent! Where did you buy that from?
Click to expand...

From a safety point of view you should consider makrolon rather than generic perspex, perspex when it breaks, shatters and generates many sharp shards, makrolon doesn't! makrolon is significantly stronger than glass (200x) and would be my preferred choice for this type of application.
 
Joseph89 said:
I like that look, simple but very effective. I've gone with a similar style off Amazon, but a brick wall in the back (couldn't find a plain one). That perspex idea is actually decent! Where did you buy that from?
Click to expand...

Mine was amazon uk

I can post the background to you if you would like?
Perspex any diy store
 
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Well, I did the cake smash this morning. What a disaster!! I don't want to make excuses but not all was my fault. How ever, what was my fault was the backdrop. I couldn't get it flat/smooth, even though I spent ages ironing it. The baby as expected was moving everywhere and lifting the base. Could really of done with a solid base that would of kept the bottom flat and let me pull the back up tight. I think I'm done with baby portraits, I just need a studio. Some where I can have a fixed prop and lightening. In truth, I only wanted to baby portraits because I was using it as a stepping stone for weddings. Dissapointed
 
Mark Dell said:
Mine was amazon uk

I can post the background to you if you would like?
Perspex any diy store
Click to expand...

What size did you buy out of interest? Did you buy one panel or merge two or more together?
 
Hi there. Sorry you don't feel it well. If your anything like me, you'll be your own worst critic. Great that you had a go and pushed yourself out of a comfort zone. Which I seldom do. Really good you came back to report the outcome too.

Gaz
 
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Personally I think cake smashes are one of the most stupid things I’ve seen In the past few years.
Is it just me that thinks teaching a child to be destructive is wrong?
Also imagine what happens if the child goes to a birthday party and smashes the other child’s cake because that’s what they were taught to do.
 
It’s not really something that takes my interest. It’s just commercialised like most things these days, like baby showers. I’ve definitely learnt from today and that is that equipment is key!
 
Bigfungun said:
Personally I think cake smashes are one of the most stupid things I’ve seen In the past few years.
Is it just me that thinks teaching a child to be destructive is wrong?
Also imagine what happens if the child goes to a birthday party and smashes the other child’s cake because that’s what they were taught to do.
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Not exactly helpful to the OP...

For what it's worth, I don't like them either, but sometimes you have to put your principles aside when a paying customer comes along. Don't sweat the small stuff. :)

I actually don't do them anymore, simply because of the mess to clean up afterwards... but, when I did do them, I used seamless paper... far less hassle.

Jelly Smash by Beth Botterill, on Flickr

Portrait by Beth Botterill, on Flickr

Tutu and a Cake Smash by Beth Botterill, on Flickr
 
sunnyside_up said:
Not exactly helpful to the OP...

For what it's worth, I don't like them either, but sometimes you have to put your principles aside when a paying customer comes along. Don't sweat the small stuff. :)

I actually don't do them anymore, simply because of the mess to clean up afterwards... but, when I did do them, I used seamless paper... far less hassle.

Jelly Smash by Beth Botterill, on Flickr

Portrait by Beth Botterill, on Flickr

Tutu and a Cake Smash by Beth Botterill, on Flickr
Click to expand...

What did you use for lighting? I know I'm fairly new to portraits but I'm getting heavy shadow from my flash
 
Phil V said:
What are you doing to soften the light?
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I’ve got a flash diffuser and that’s pretty much it. I bought a cheap lighting kit on amazon just to get me by. Thing is, it’s not quite powerful enough I don’t think. Any suggestions?
 
Joseph89 said:
I’ve got a flash diffuser and that’s pretty much it. I bought a cheap lighting kit on amazon just to get me by. Thing is, it’s not quite powerful enough I don’t think. Any suggestions?
Click to expand...
How many lights are you using?
 
Brazo said:
If your willing to post the shots that would be useful, where did you have the lights positioned?
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For sure. But i tried earlier but it wouldn’t send. I’ll try again in 2 minutes. I had them positioned directly to the side at about 4 foot high
 
It's saying "security error. Press back and refresh the page". Any ideas?
 
Joseph89 said:
What did you use for lighting? I know I'm fairly new to portraits but I'm getting heavy shadow from my flash
Click to expand...
I use a 1.2m octa ... and sometimes I'll bounce some extra light back in off a reflector with a second flash...
 
Could you recommend a good budget light then please?
 
I have a flash, think it’s a Yungnuo 568? I could be wrong but I’m pretty sure that’s what it’s called. Is that all you would use?
 
Any know how I can upload a photo? It’s sayjng security error... Really want you guys to critique my shoots
 
Joseph89 said:
Any know how I can upload a photo? It’s sayjng security error... Really want you guys to critique my shoots
Click to expand...
attaching a file from your PC ....
If attaching a file direct from your PC / device, into a thread.
this must not exceed 1024px on the longest side or 500Kb
otherwise it will fail to up load.
Opera Snapshot_2018-06-18_124702_www.talkphotography.co.uk.png

From your TP Gallery

https://www.talkphotography.co.uk/t...o-and-insert-an-image-from-your-tp-gallery.8/

From Flickr

https://www.talkphotography.co.uk/tutorials/inserting-images-from-flickr-updated-22-08-15.7/
 
  • She needs to be facing other way
  • Shadow from flash
  • Back drop wasn’t tight
  • Legs cropped out
 
Joseph89 said:
  • She needs to be facing other way
  • Shadow from flash
  • Back drop wasn’t tight
  • Legs cropped out
Click to expand...
Some suggestions for next time...

Shoot shoot shoot.... don’t wait for that perfect frame and then shoot... it rarely works like that. Take loads of pictures and law of adverages you’ll get what you’re after and probably some unexpected surprises too!

Move her away from the wall and bounce your flash off of what you can. A light wall, ceiling, reflector or even a big white sheet.

Forget the backdrop if you can... use a bare wall and your own floor if you have a hard floor.

Shoot wider and crop in.

Edit: apologies, thought you were using flash...
 
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I shot this at 17mm but on a crop sensor. How wide do you usually shot? I have a 11-22mm but that might be too wide...
 
I would use one flash as the key light and then either a reflector or flash on lower power as fill. Personally I find reflectors limiting so I’d prefer a s cons flash as a kicker or fill light. I would also use a third to light the back drop but this works better when using white as it helps blow it out.
 
Joseph89 said:
I shot this at 17mm but on a crop sensor. How wide do you usually shot? I have a 11-22mm but that might be too wide...
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The very good advice from sunny side up was to shoot wider not wide angle. This can also be achieved by walking backwards. It’s going to depend how close you are to the subject. Personally 17mm on a crop is 25-26mm on full frame and for my liking that’s too wide. I’d prefer getting some distance and using a more flattering focal distance whilst still leaving room to shoot wider and crop.
 
Ah my mistake! So shot further away but use more zoom. Got ya. Well I’ve got to retake it as I couldn’t give her these pictures. Lucky to really have a 2nd attempt but I’m going to make sure I do it right this time
 
That’s an excellent album and shows what can be taken with very basic equipment. However if your going for the bright studio portrait look then you would have to at least add some lighting to that iPhone.
 
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