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Brandy anybody?


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14 replies to this topic

#1
Eagles1181

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So I had a second speedlight arrive today, so I was working on balancing the two.  Got some compositional help from my darling bride.  Please let me know what you think, and how to improve this shot.  Thanks

 

Eagle

 

14965670525_7a4e9bff4c_c.jpg



#2
Merco_61

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You have a shadow on the bottle camera left that is a bit too deep. I would have lightened that with a white reflector, I think.

The hot spot on the bottle camera right bothers me a little as it is exactly level with the branding on the label and steals attention. If it is from stray light, it should be flagged, otherwise you would need to reposition that flash slightly.

If this was a product shot, I would have trimmed the foil to remove the jagged edge.

Glass is difficult to shoot and I think this is a good try, but not quite there.



#3
Eagles1181

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By jagged edge, I assume you are meaning in the glass.  There is no foil.  The bottom is the reflection off the hardwood table and the background is a white foam board.  The jagged edge is coming from the light playing through the cut crystal.  

 

Yes, the shot still needs work.  Thinking I am going to abandon this project and find something easier to start with.  It was still a worthwhile exercise.  Besides, it gave me a really good excuse to enjoy a glass of brandy afterwards.

 

Eagle



#4
Merco_61

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I meant the foil edge at the cork. The glass is beautifully lit and very inviting, exactly as it should be.



#5
Russ

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Too much table I think. maybe get lower.



#6
Eagles1181

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I meant the foil edge at the cork. The glass is beautifully lit and very inviting, exactly as it should be.

Now I understand. Good point. Thanks

Eagle

PS. May have to have another glass of brandy tomorrow night.

#7
deano

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It's good that you got to enjoy the fruits of your labor.



#8
Ron

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I like this shot. Just a few suggestions for things to experiment with. 

 

I think I would try using a piece of white flexible poster board to sit the bottle and glass on and curve it up from the table to the wall. You may have to clamp it to keep it from moving. That way you can eliminate the table. Black would also work and might help with the shadows and reflections. As far as the hot spot goes... well, I agree with Peter about it stealing focus from the branding. However, if it were a starburst it might actually work the other way around.... drawing the eye towards the branding. Another idea would be to try a table with more of a woodgrain pattern and use a black background. People usually associate brandy with that type of setting... a darkened room background would serve the same purpose.

 

Positioning flash can be very tricky. A few inches can make a big difference. You have made a good start. 

 

--Ron



#9
TBonz

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I like the shot overall, but to me it looks like everything is just a bit too far to the left.  If you cropped some off the right and / or added more to the left such that the bottle and glass were more along the thirds lines I think it might improve the image.  I'd probably also crop tighter at top and bottom, but that is just me...Peter is correct about the bright spot, but overall an excellent first go!



#10
greenwing

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Now I understand. Good point. Thanks

Eagle

PS. May have to have another glass of brandy tomorrow night.

 

Cut the foil before you consume the brandy. Trust me, I know these things. :D



#11
etphoto

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I like the shot as well and I agree with what someone else is suggesting about the crop (bottle is a little too far to the left). I got dinged for this once in a print competition, the bottles shadow is cropped off. Personally, I wouldn't care, but the judges that graded mine seemed to think it was important. The table isn't bad but did you try other surfaces as well? I'm curious what it would look like if you took the table out and went all white, with just the bottles and shadows.

#12
Kenafein

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This isn't my forte, and I can't claim to do better; but this does seem to be missing something.  Perhaps you need more color, texture and interesting elements?  Brandy is supposed to be served in a snifter, which is a more elegant look.  Perhaps a richer, distressed wood, or a more polished reflective surface, and a textured background (maybe brick or plaster).  Maybe you could add some other element, like a cigar or a pipe?  Just some suggestions, but they could end up rather garish ;).



#13
Eagles1181

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I tried a snifter to start with.  Problem was that the smooth glass I was having a devil of a time with the hotspot from the flash.  Bailed on it.  Will probably go back once I get a little more experience with the speedlights.

 

Eagle



#14
Kenafein

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I tried a snifter to start with.  Problem was that the smooth glass I was having a devil of a time with the hotspot from the flash.  Bailed on it.  Will probably go back once I get a little more experience with the speedlights.

 

Eagle

Are you using flash modifiers?  Maybe you need bigger ones.  



#15
Eagles1181

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Shoot through umbrellas.  I later realized that one of my flashes was set to 105 zoom (all the way in), and that was probably what was causing the problems  However, by that time, the cut crystal was already set up in the scene.  Like I said, I am not done with that shot just yet.

 

Eagle