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