tips for shooting birth pics with digi-cam

[TsMom]

Hi,

I just got a Canon Powershot A70 and I really like it, but I'm still learning. I'm almost 8 months pregnant and I've been wondering what the best settings are regarding ISO (options are 50,100,200,400), flash, and white balance for a delivery room type of setting. My husband will be taking the pictures, so I need to be able to set the camera to be ready-to-go for him. In case your not sure what I mean by delivery room setting, typically the room is dim, with a giant bright light used for the delivery. My camera

When I had my first baby, the pictures turned out pretty well just shooting 400 speed film with my little automatic Canon 35 mm, with flash. But I'm wondering if how to get good or better pics with my new camera.
Here is a scan of that first pic.

http://tinyurl.com/24qcp

TIA
LaWanna

[Schmoopy]

Good luck with your photos!!!! We were so wrapped up in the action we forgot to take any pics! lol.

Is your album public, i tried the link and it didn't work for me.

Stace.

[Margie]

ooohh, i hope someone has some great advice for you. wonderful idea to prepare now! personally i try to stay away from delivery rooms, ouch! our "birth" pics were all in a dimly lit orphanage and he was 20 months old already!! :D so no advice from me, just wanted to say kudos for preparing!! Ü

[u.k. lady]

I would suggest that you find out what kind of lighting the delivery room is first .Go ask at the hospital if your not sure. Do they have tours for new mums?you could ask them to set the room up with the lighting to see what it will be like then take some shots choosing the different iso options and white balances to see which option looks best.Failing that, I am going to say use your automatic mode so your Dh is comfortable .Dont miss the moment, sometimes we get so caught up trying to get that photo, that we miss the moment and your's will never be repeated with your baby again, so enjoy, and if you manage to get some great photos, well that's a bonus too :D

good luck
Jacqui

[Fidelis]

Oh how exciting for you & your family, I wish you well with the birth of your baby & expect to see our gallery here @ DSP flooded with cute pics of your new addition!

OK camera settings. If you really want to shoot in manual mode then I would definately check out what type of lighting is going to be available (as U.K Lady as already suggested) in the delivery room so that you can balance the lighting accordingly using WB on your camera. For your film speed I would suggest probably iso 400 but again it depends on how light the room is or how dark! But if you really want to concerntrate on the capturing the special moments in the run up to delivery & so that your husband doesn't feel under pressure you could just stick your camera on auto. Infact if you do get the oppourtunity to go on a hospital tour of the delivery suite (we do over here in the U.K) then you could always take your camera with you & do a bit of a recce & take some practice shots to give you an idea of what the final images might look like.

I wish you well & goodluck!

Emma. :)