liamphotoatl Loc: Atlanta, Ga

I shot this yesterday for my final portfolio class finishing my Bachelors in photography.

Bacardi 151

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Congrats and good luck. Nice shot. Isn't it rum and coke? I would have shot with with the coke on the right. My 2 cents.

liamphotoatl Loc: Atlanta, Ga

True but since I am Type 2 Diabetic, I use Diet Coke

Dik

Can you imagine either Coke or Bacardi using this photo for an ad? I don't think so.
How many shots did you take to get this far?
How many times did you show the shot to someone and then reshoot, with improvements?

Reshoot before submitting!

Use the longest lens you have in order to get the maximum working distance. The perspective will be better, (tops and bottoms will be closer to parallel).

Make sure your camera is square to the back edge of the background or your background horizon and your liquid horizons won't match (that's a problem in your shot).

Lower the camera so the center of the lens is at the same height as the word "Bacardi", then tilt the camera up enough to encompass the view desired, and straighten the verticals in PP.

Rotate the Coke bottle so Coke is centered.

Move the Coke bottle to the right of the Bacardi so the picture reads as Bacardi & Coke, rather than Coke & Bacardi. Keep part of the Coke bottle behind the Bacardi bottle.
If you can get part of the Coke label to read through the rum, that would be great.

Prep the Coke bottle so that it looks cold. Mask the bottle at the liquid line, then spray light coats of matte lacquer or dulling spray until the bottle looks lightly frosted. After it dries, use an eyedropper to apply Karo clear syrup to simulate large water drops on the bottle, and a fine mist spray of water just prior to shooting will complete the "cold look".
Adding a few ice chips and some condensation runoff at the bottom of the Coke bottle would be worth another grade upgrade.

Position the shot glass in front of and covering parts of both bottles.
Instead of the plain white background wall, I would print a black to white gradient on matte paper and use that, white at the top. The reflection will be light in front and dark in back, concealing the horizon line.

boblacour

This is the most helpful comment/review I've seen on this forum in a long while. Great job !

Dik

Thanks boblacour, let's hope the OP reads it.

ahudina Loc: Browns Point, WA

Totally agree regarding the extremely helpful review. If he follows through he will go from a D (generous) to an A.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

The liquid colors look off as well. The shot glass liquid appears (much) darker. And, as I said when this was posted in the main section (where I also suggested the OP post it here), the current arrangement leads the eye to the coke bottle. I agree the shot glass has to come forward as well as Dik's other suggestions. Another idea would be an exterior or bar scene background to give context and create a story or even a de-focused picture from a party or gathering. Or better if you have a picture of the room where this class is held, that could be fun!

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Helpful? Yes! But perhaps we are all missing the point when it comes to food and beverage photography. Of course, the technical points of proper styling of the subject and the props are important with all the tricks of the trade etc.

The problem with this image is simple. It does no entice the viewers of the eventual advertisement to buy or drink the product. There is nothing appetizing or thirst inducing in the shot! There is no pizzazz or fizz- what is needed especially in the case of a mixed drink with a carbonated beverage.

So...we have the components of a cocktail but the shot glass shows only the rum. The product identification of the Coke bottle is poorly represented- the logo is off center. The rum bottle is poorly represented as well. When the bottle is transilluminated, the back label shoud be removed so you don't see the back of the of it in the frontal view.

If the themes is indeed Rum and Coke- you goot show the actual drink. In a real life situation a stylist may be on set to create and dress the product. If that service is not available, the photographer needs to do the homework and research. Get a book on bartending (mixology) or consult your local friendly bartender to find out how the product is presented in a classy setting. Puerto Rican rum is some of the best- perhas that theme should be part of the concept.

If you just want to show the packaged product, at least, create some atmosphere- suggest something in the background- something to do with the product, its pedigree, how its produced, something cultural or ethnic, whatever! In a PORTFOLIO shot you need to demonstrate your creativity and resourcefulness.

As far as specific styling and propping techniques there are many and each stylist and/or photographer have their favorites. You can apply droplets to a glass of bottle with a hypodermic syringe. There are oils, syrups, mixtures and all kinds of frosting methods. There are companies that supply smoke tablets, colorants, acrylic ice cubes that look rreal, waxes and everything you could possible use. The most important component, however, of any effective shot is the CONCEPT- the VISUAL STATEMENT you want to make that will stand on it own or work compatibility with the copy. On a product shoot you may get a layout and concept from the art director. If you are working on you own or creating a self-assigned portfolio shot YOU need to design the concept.

Move some ideas around in your head! This is an old and time-honored product- perhaps give it a "period look" with a more classical antique style Coke bottle. How about a travel poster from Puerto Rico suggested in the background. What do folks eat with that beverage? Perha a plate of Cuchifritos in the background! Try a "pour" witht cola mixing with the booze! Garnish the drink with lime slices, use ice cubes and a larger glass- the type traditionally used for this cocktail. In fact, just Google the drink and there are several basic illustrations which you can elaborate on. Oh- the stuff in FLAMMABLE- perhaps have a FLAMBE dish burning in the background. Also- Get a nicer bottle- that have one with the logo moulded into the glass with a nicer label.

In my commercial work I get to photograph everything from foods and beverages to atomic reactors to construction equipment. I am not a gourmet chef, a nuclear physicist, or a construction engineer. So...my first task at the onset of each job is to find out what needs to be illustrated from the client's point of view. Each job is a learning experience and the ascertaining and accumulation of product knowledge is invaluable.

My advice- RESHOOT the product and MAKE US ALL THIRSTY!

TIP- Mask off a softbox to improvise a strip-light and place it a between 90 to 135 degrees to the camera/subject axis and fill in and create frontal light for the label with a "silver" type reflector made of crumpled aluminum and reformed aluminum foil mounted on a sheet of Foam-Cor. If some of the light from the softbox strikes another small piece of foil hidden behind the bottle, you will get nice transillumination and a good highlight to delineate the edge the bottle. With flat bottles, sometimes it best to come in SLIGHTLY closer and use a SLIGHTLY shorter focal length to get more shape to the bottle.

Abo

Post deleted by moderator. Remarks were unkind and did not offer any constructive suggestions for improvement.

liamphotoatl Loc: Atlanta, Ga

I appreciate the folks that gave pointers and constructive criticism. She wanted us to try something we'd never shot before. So I was attempting my hand at product photography. I shot this one as well but of course to some of you who were apparently born photographers who make millions a year at product photography. I'm sure you'll tell me I am trash once again. FYI, maybe instead of being a d---, you could just give constructive criticism and pointers or better yet don't comment at all.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Product Photography.

Hi Liam.

First of all, folks posting in this section is allowed to make write derogatory personal or snide remarks. Honest constructive criticism and opinions are encouraged and should contain artistic, technical and/or business advice pertain to the images being discussed. "Don't quit your day job" is neither of those categories of acceptable advice. All offending post will be deleted forthwith.

Human beings are not "trash". We are not here to discourage or demean anyone. Harr retorts and foul language does not help either- just send me a PM to report these issues and I will look after things. Sorry, I did not catch that bad post earlier- It has been deleted.

I have been a professional photographer for over 50 years and I have never encountered a"born photographer". Even the most talented folks have to learn their craft. Perhaps some people have more innate talent than others but that ability still has to be developed and techniques have to be learned, practiced and mastered.

I work very hard at my studio but I don't generate millions of dollars- I make a living and enjoy my work!

Now, getting down to business. Unless you are making a photograph simply to record an image of an item, a PRODUCT photograph in the commercial field is like a flattering portrait of the item. Even a simple catalog shot is meant to attract the attention of potential buyers and somewhat glamorize the product. The shot needs to have detail, depth, dimension and shot the product in a flattering and interesting manner.

The first element of making a sale is attracting attention and creating a desire for the item. If the potential buyer ca no see the item in person or view it in a store display or widow, your photograph is the first point of contact. If it is a food and beverage shot it should stimulate the viewer's appetite. If the product is a camera, it should perhaps stimulate, as we say on here on the forum, a GAS attack- it should show the controls atop the camera or feature some interesting highlights in the lens. If the neck strap is included, it shod be arranged in an interesting way to lead the viewer's eye to the camera.

In a more advanced kind of photographic illustration, props or models can be added to tell a story about the product. If it is an older "vintage" camera, perhaps something from the appropriate era or period can be included in the composition.

In the last year, I have photographed some of my older film gear, whic I no longer use, to advertise it for sale. I'll attach a few examples.

I intend to post a few basic tutorials on product photography in the next little while, stay tuned.

Also- I was wondering if you ever attempted to re-shoot the beverage shot you first posted.

Regards, Ed

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liamphotoatl Loc: Atlanta, Ga

No, I have not had the opportunity to re-shoot it, mostly because I wanted to have a "sample" of the beverage in the shot glass but don't want to actually open my bottle of 151 as you cannot get it anymore. Was trying to find something I could get to the same color, but have been busy working. I had been watching some videos by Karl Taylor in the UK as he makes beautiful images for products but have just been too busy to try again myself. I got a very good paying job doing real estate photography, buildings and street are genres I am more of a natural at, but I wanted to give Product a try as well.

You certainly have some great images of your old gear!

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

You may want to try tea to match the colour of the rare booze or just some less expensive stuff.

If you place a small reflector, made of foil, hidden behind the bottle or the glass, you can nicely trans-illuminate the beverages.

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liamphotoatl Loc: Atlanta, Ga

Cool, I’ll have to try that. Than you sir!