As a recent father and new owner of a Nikon DSLR camera, I have been taking hundreds of photos of our baby daughter! I have found this is not an easy process, not only does it take a lot of patience but a fair amount of know how.

Here are a few suggestions of what to do and what to avoid for getting the best shots.

1: One thing I quickly found out is how a flash can wash out a baby especially if they are on a similar colored blanket. So turn off the flash and use natural light; inside go near a window!

This shot was taken by a window.

2: Still having problems in low light? A lot of digital cameras have ISO Priority. In digital photography, ISO measures the sensitivity of the image sensor. Higher ISO settings are suitable for low light situations. Keep in mind the higher the setting (e.g., 1600) the grainer the image.

Photo was taken with an 800 ISO setting.

3: Try Black & White. I have always been a huge fan of B & W photography. With B & W photography textures, lines and shapes come forward with the contrasts between darks and lights.

This photo shoot is done!

4: The beauty of digital photography is you can keep shooting; you are bound to capture that smiling baby!

5: I found I was taking too many vertical shots, so remember mix it up with horizontal shots as well.

First trip to Lake Tahoe.

Check out more tips in the August issue of the Kodak Gallery Exposure.

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