u/steveinatlanta

I used to do graphic design for a living and still like to work in that capacity. I decided to put some of the bottle and glass shots into some framework of how they’d look in ads.

The first set I started looking up etiquette rules around drinking. I came across how you’re supposed to hold your glass in the left hand.

For the Jack Daniel’s and Johnnie Walker ones, I downloaded a logo from brandsoftheworld.com

They’re just comps so no need to put all the extra stuff you’ll usually have to put in on a paying job.

This time I borrowed an empty Sir Davis bottle. Shot on pink seamless paper.

Sony A7iii
Sony 50 1.4

ISO100 f8 5 stop ND filter

3 Broncolor Pulso heads with P70 reflectors and a snoot
Broncolor StripLite

I’m really starting to get this gradient light approach working for me. These were empty bottles a couple were from the bar kid bartends. I’m purposefully shooting these tight and letting what depth of field I’m getting be. Personally think it’s the people who can shoot and frame their pictures compositionally thats going to stand out from mediocrity that abounds.

There was a good bit of photoshop work but that’s the nature of the beast. Best thing I learned this year is gradient photography. I’ve spent the past several years doing portraits and the lighting is completely different. So I watched a lot of tutorials after coming across this video that explained it to me, https://youtu.be/sKrKRjknpB0?si=ZfFO6PL3J77OkfUs

I’ve since subscribed to visualeducation.com and watched enough videos to be able to do these consistently. Used a Sony A7iii with 90mm macro. Three Broncolor lights, 2 Pulso heads with P70 reflector behind sheets of diffusion paper that’s readily available on Amazon. Also a hard StripLite from the 90s. I made the frame with some wood from Ace hardware along with the bits for the corners and a handsaw. BTS pic at the end.

Seriously, I couldn’t do these until last weekend. I was in the studio a few times last month getting my ass kicked before I started getting it.

I did these using two lights with scrims to give me gradient reflections. I clean up the obvious dust and other imperfections. One thing I’m wondering about is where the liquid moves around the glass and leaves residue. I try to get it wiped out really well before I push the button. Does have to be all removed? I feel like that’s the nature of real life and something that might not be in generated images.

Sony A7iii

Sony 50/1.4 and 90mm macro

Broncolor Grafit A4

2 Pulso heads sometimes bare other times with a P70 reflector behind the scrims and some with a square softbox overhead.

Been working on some beverages with some glasses from the house. Feedback is welcome. Thanks. Pretty chuffed with these.