Brandy In The Afternoon

Spent a few hours in the spare bedroom with a bottle of Brandy and experimented with a few lighting ideas. The first thing I realised was that I need more hands than I have, but I made the most of the equipment I have. Anyway this image is my first attempt at lighting bottles of liquid, its far from perfect, but for a first go I am pleased with the result. So if you find yourself stuck in doors, try lighting some products laying around in the house. This is an area of photography that I also need to develop.

C&C welcome

It wouldn't stay that full if it were in my house.....delicious stuff....

Well done and your write up is inspiring also!

Superb shot and very nice lighting, the only slight thing I would change is to de-saturate the blue colour at the top of the bottles neck.

Yes nice shot and great lighting! The only decent bottle I have in is a bottle of whiskey with about 1 glass left in it - this is a good excuse for getting another bottle!

I agree, also there is a touch of blue showing at the top of the leaf on the left side next to the bottle which once seen can't be unseen.

Inspired me to get the Malt out and take some snaps on these dank days

That photo exudes a warm glow, what an advert for the contents of the bottle. Well done.
David

PPG: http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/artists/davidtrout

Next time shoot in portrait mode, it's more interesting to see the neck of the bottle then follow the curve to the shoulder!

I would also light from 45°, create more depth in image.

Karl Weaver

Thanks guys! I am going to try out a few other things to light today.

Karl, I struggled, with the highlights on the bottle which is why I did not light it from 45°,
Agree about portrait mode, but I lost the leaves in the frame.

I think the pros must shoot two or three frames and merge them together, its problematic trying to light everything in the scene correctly, you also learn how to improvise when you don't have enough or the right kit.

Gareth, I don.t drink Brandy or Cognac and thought they were the same thing, I now have been educated that they are not. The bottle has to go back to its owner though along with a bottle of Whisky.

Has anyone tried lighting watches? any tips?

Thanks Fletcher

Great shot, nice lighting. The leaves around the base are inspired.

I'm sure I read something a day or so ago about shooting watches. Was full of man flu at the time but will see if I can find it.

Thanks for the link Ralph. Yes it is of interest to me. Very informative video with a lot of tips and things to think about and try.

Many thanks

Fletcher8

This is a brillient shot, how did you get the lighting please?

Hi Louise

I used a light under a sheet of glass, I placed the leaves and bottle on the sheet of glass, then lit the bottle from behind and to the side.

If you take a look at Ralph's link above there is a great video that shows how the pros do it. I have just purchased a few sheets of tracing paper and intend to light a watch tomorrow and see how I get on.

I really like the challenge of trying to work things out and it's all trial and error, but it's also very warding when you see things come together.

Regards

Fletcher8