Question
I accidentally used a flashlight to take three photos of a newborn who was only eight days old, while the baby was sleeping and had their eyes closed. What impact could this behavior have on the newborn?
Answer
It is recommended to use natural light when taking photos of newborns and to avoid using flashlights as much as possible. If flashlights are necessary, adjust their angle to reflect light onto the ceiling or side walls, or use a slower shutter speed and a wider aperture to capture ideal baby photos. Parents and photographers who have previously used flashlights to take baby photos do not need to worry excessively, but should be mindful of their future shooting methods. Since a newborn’s eyes are not yet fully developed, they are more sensitive to the strong light from electronic flashlights, which could potentially affect the retina. If the flashlight is less than one meter away from the baby, the damage to their eyes may be more significant. Therefore, it should be avoided to use flashlights at close range to prevent unintentional harm to the infant.