Drinks photos

[saber]

Hello all,

Check out this guys site pictures of alcohol drinks: http://www.east3rd.com/photos/archive/alcohol

They are really awesome. I found the site through www.photofriday.com as a noteworthy.

Now I've been trying to get such photos with the same almost the same equipement.
Canon 350D (rebel xt) - he uses a 300D (Rebel)
Canon 50mm 1.8 mk II - Same as his

Also used a canon speedlite 430EX, but somehow I don't seem to get the photos as crisp as he does. Does anyone have an idea how he does it? I'm starting to believe he uses a macro lens instead of a 50mm 1.8 MK II. Only such a lens will capture such detail.

Anyone an idea?

For your information:
Both photo's are 100% crops and shutterspeed 1/80s F/10.
I tried faster shutterspeeds, larger F-stops and smaller ones...

/Frank

[andiesmith]

for the bottom on try bouncing your flash

[srwatters]

It's all about diffusion of the light. You need a light tent to surround the object. I also think there's a bunch of photoshop work going on in his shots.

I keep reminding myself that at least 50% of the image work is done AFTER you press the shutter. Some will disagree and say they can get it done in camera, but I'm skeptical.

[andiesmith]

I will be one to disagree with that statement since we weren't allowed to use PS in school, and had to get shots like those. its all about learning the equiptment.

[srwatters]

Originally Posted by andiesmith

I will be one to disagree with that statement since we weren't allowed to use PS in school, and had to get shots like those. its all about learning the equiptment.

That may be true in school where time doesn't cost money. But as a business person, wouldn't you agree that getting the job done faster is more profitable? If I can use an acceptable lighting setup that takes a few minutes to set up rather than tweeking the lights for hours to get the perfect in camera image, would I not be able to make more $. I know that when I shoot boring circuit boards for my company, I can use a 15 minute setup and crank out objects of various size and colors quickly then depend on Photoshop adjustments to make them all look consistently good, I get more net dollars in my pocket.

I guess I should have clarified my reasoning for the post processing statement. And it doesn't necessarily apply to 'art'.

[andiesmith]

mmm.still not 100% sure. I would rather spend 15 mins setting up a couple extra lights, than 15 EXTRA mins in PS.
It's not that i don't use Photoshop, it's that i would rather do less in it

[srwatters]

If anyone can produce shots like the original poster linked in camera only with 15 minutes of setup, I bow to their superior talents and knowledge. Seriously it would take me hours working with the lights, gels, diffusers and camera settings to even get close to what was produced.

I'm not saying it can't be done in that much time. Just not by a hack like me.

[andiesmith]

i was just throwing out times! i think it comes down to a prefernce of work on the front end ot back end....since it all gets charged to the client.

I've seen your work, I am sure you could set it up in less time than you think

[boomerd35]

I've bookmarked that site. There's lots of other categories there to get some creative ideas from. Thanks for posting.

Troy T.

[Redmouse]

Frank, look into simple alternative lighting such as a desk lamp or natural lighting. You an add a colored gel for the lamps to give it more robust coloring or alter it completely. Food and drink shots are typically done with back lighting. At least that's my preference. You could also invest in an off camera flash cord. Try different angles. Light the glass/bottle from the bottom.

All those images on that site you can duplicate with the gear you have now. Just forget what you learned in school and think outside the box. Good luck!

[The Loft Studios]

Originally Posted by saber

Hello all,

Check out this guys site pictures of alcohol drinks: http://www.east3rd.com/photos/archive/alcohol

They are really awesome. I found the site through www.photofriday.com as a noteworthy.

Now I've been trying to get such photos with the same almost the same equipement.
Canon 350D (rebel xt) - he uses a 300D (Rebel)
Canon 50mm 1.8 mk II - Same as his

Also used a canon speedlite 430EX, but somehow I don't seem to get the photos as crisp as he does. Does anyone have an idea how he does it? I'm starting to believe he uses a macro lens instead of a 50mm 1.8 MK II. Only such a lens will capture such detail.

Anyone an idea?

For your information:
Both photo's are 100% crops and shutterspeed 1/80s F/10.
I tried faster shutterspeeds, larger F-stops and smaller ones...

/Frank

First off, on camera flash won't work.
These are Commercial Product type images that were shot In-Sudio using a multitude of Light Modifiers (grids, boxes, reflectors, etc.....) Try back lighting as well as lighting from underneath. Try drilling holes in your table top set up and use a highly reflective materials such as aluinum foil to put on the back of the glasses and/or bottles. I'll see if I can dig up some examples of my old commercial stuff that I use to shoot on 4x5 and 8x10.

[The Loft Studios]

Here are some quick illustrations I found on the internet.....
Also, a macro lens would help.

[josphy]

I'm no expert on lighting AT ALL, but those don't look all that elaborate to me. Most look like they could have been shot with one usually very soft light only. Looks like some colored gels were used here and there. I think the fact that they are mostly very abstract is making them seem more complicated than they are.

[andiesmith]

you can probably do it with three lights and some gels

[josphy]

http://www.east3rd.com/view/archived/384

Looks like a gridded or snooted strobe w/ an orangey gel fired onto the background from above I think. Bottle is backlit from the light reflecting off the background.

http://www.east3rd.com/view/archived/277

Looks like another snooted strobe fired at an angle down onto whatever the glass is sitting on contra to the camera. Might need a piece of black card in front to help define the edges of the glass with black.

http://www.east3rd.com/view/archived/340

Looks like very soft backlighting.

http://www.east3rd.com/view/archived/299

This one is definitely only one light. Kind of odd too because you'd think he'd have a little light from behind upper right to define the edge of the lime.