Filming my wife while she is giving birth. How?

[evgeninikolov]

Hi, my wife is pregnant and the Big Day is coming soon.:hv20-smilie70: She wants absolutely that I film her while she is giving birth - here in Germany, where I live, it is allowed so technically it should not be a problem.

I'm not quite sure if I will be in a mood to shoot a movie when my babies are coming to the world (we expect twins) but anyway I want at least to have some idea about the possible artistic approach.

Did someone already shoot baby birth? Where can I find some examples - I tried with Youtube but with no success. I suspect there should be some guidelines about camera position, framing etc.? Although we intend to keep the film only for ourselves I would like to shoot it in such a way that it does not look too direct and tasteless, and maybe then I will manage to edit it so that our close relatives and the children, when the grow up, can see it as well.

[skiltrip]

I think this would be a hard task. The event itself should be pretty emotional, and you're going to want to have your undivided attention on what's happening, and see it with your own eyes, but instead you'll have to be focusing on your camera angle and be watching the birth of your kid thru a 2.7" LCD screen.

If it were me, and my wife wanted me to tape the event, I'd get a tripod that can get up pretty high, put it in the corner at least 7 feet up, point it down so you're catching your wife's face, your reactions at her side, and the actual birth at the same time. Might want to get a wide angle lens depending on the size of the room.

This way, you don't have to be in the mood to shoot footage, cause I know I wouldn't be at all. Set it and forget it.

AND FINALLY... Congratulations!!!!!!

[Daiky]

I don't have any experience at all on this subject. But I would give the camera to a family member or a close friend. Say you want to him/her to capture the tension a few minutes/hours before and the joy a few minutes after. And you should just enjoy that moment together. Just my opinion :)

If you want to capture the moment itself, as said above, a tripod and a long shot would do the trick. Put it to the side of the room at the top side of the bed, pointing downwards. Insert a full battery and tape, and let it run.
Because I'm sure your wife wants to see your face too when watching it again later, hehe

congrats (x2) :)

[SenorKaffee]

Don´t do it - you can either be the spectator or be really there in the situation. As the other posters say, get a close friend or relative to do the job - this way you can really share this moment and have both your reactions on tape.

And - Herzlichen Glückwunsch zum Nachwuchs. :D

[Ian-T]

I agree with the tripod solutions. I've been through this twice myself (two little girls) and I know my mind would not be on what I am filming. All my attention and focus was on my wife and newborn. You would never be able to concentrate. Tripod with wide angle lens.

...and congrats

[unk]

Hey I have one due on the 4th and my HV20 will be here tomorrow.

I taped my 3yr olds birth with my vx1000. I filmed all the way up until it was time to start pushing, then set the camera on a table, and just recorded pretty much sound and a view from the side not catching any other (stuff) After she was out and the baby was handed to mommy I picked the camera back up and captured some pretty special moments, like her eyes opening for the first time.. it was pretty incredible. So I plan on doing the same thing, and not look like a paparazzi or something.

[lordtangent]

I think the advice to have a family member or friend do the shooting is good.

My sister had her baby and her hubby got a few shots, but you could tell he was distracted. I mean, really, would you rather be able to pareticipate or be a photographer? He made the right choice, but then there weren't too many pictures since he didn't have a back up plan.

The problem with trusting friends/family is the issue of thier skill level. Even with a "fool proof" point and shoot cam in full auto it's too easy to make crappy video. Make sure you pick a camera person who has some skill.