Scottish Gin -- Take Three

[Mike Buckley]

When Mark (Downrigger) viewed "Take Two" of this gin bottle, he asked if I was satisfied with the lack of three-dimensionality in the portion of the bottle that is black glass. I explained that I was satisfied but not ecstatic, but that I wasn't willing to resort to the common solution using reflectors because I don't like the resulting look. I also explained that I wasn't thrilled that neither the top nor bottom rim of the gin bottle were displayed.

I've been meaning to photograph this bottle with a red background, so I decided to do that and take advantage of a do-over to attend to the issues mentioned above. My other motivation was that I recently stumbled upon a tutorial explaining how to create a reflection that is a gradient, as opposed to reflections that are solid or seemingly uncontrolled that are unattractive solid blocks of light. The concept of how to light the gradient is so simple, yet I can assure you that I wouldn't have thought of it on my own. While I was at it, I also figured out a way to display the top and bottom rims, which inherently adds to the three-dimensionality of the photo.

By the way, I'm pretty sure this is the first photo made using my custom-built stand after the cup holder was installed. That comment is entirely for Chauncey's and Terry's benefit.

[Donald]

I am full of admiration for the study you are putting into the subject of making successful images of these various glass (and cardboard) objects. It's a good lesson for anyone else - If you want to do something really, really, well, you need to study and understand what it you're trying to achieve and how you might do that.

In others words, these images are not the result of luck, but of dedication and commitment. That's what I admire.

And the fact it's a nice picture. But ...........! Is it tilting slightly to the right?

[Mike Buckley]

Is it tilting slightly to the right?

The right side of the bottle is. The left side isn't. The horizon isn't. The camera's electronic level indicated that the camera was not tilted. The stand I used is built squarely (my handyman is too good to build it any other kind of way) and it is on a concrete floor that is reasonably level, though no floor is perfectly level. I never know how to deal with these situations.

[Manfred M]

Nice work Mike.

I find that I really like the 2D interpretation and from time to time and will actually go out of my way to shoot an object straight on to produce this effect. It is not a "standard" compositional approach most people will use, so it can create a very nice and compelling image. This latest shot of yours demonstrates this very well.

[Mike Buckley]

Thank you, Manfred. And I forgot to thank Donald!

Back to Manfred: I think the reason this effect works is because of the two primary, bold colors and the strong horizon. I'm going to make another version employing the same principles but using black plexiglass instead of felt as a tabletop.

[Loose Canon]

I have no idea how you could get anything done without the cup holder in the first place! Or even why you would want to!

The gradient highlight looks great Mike. These fall-off gradients are the way to go. I am also partial to the hard line on the one side. They look way nicer to me.

Why didn’t you bring the highlight all the way to the bottom of the bottle?

I was wondering if the horizon might be sagging (bowing) somehow. You could always warp this puppy into submission!

[chauncey]

I never know how to deal with these situations.

Mike, have you ever played with the Transform Tools in the Edit dropdown menu?

Create a selection of the bottle and table then use Transform, subsection Distort, then grab the lower right corner and delicately pull straight right.

[Mike Buckley]

I am also partial to the hard line on the one side. They look way nicer to me.

Agreed, at least in this situation when the material is really glossy. It will be interesting to see what seems to be best with materials that don't produce such a strong direct reflection.

Why didn’t you bring the highlight all the way to the bottom of the bottle?

The real question is why didn't it come all the way down? I think I know the answer but I haven't tested my theory about that. I liked it as is so I quit while I was ahead, also because I had already knocked over the framed sheet of translucent vellum making a change in the confines of my makeshift studio.

You could always warp this puppy into submission!

I've never been good at that. Actually, I've only been downright scary at doing that.

[Mike Buckley]

Create a selection of the bottle and table then use Transform, subsection Distort, then grab the lower right corner and delicately pull straight right.

I think you're referring to Photoshop or Photoshop Elements. I've never gotten comfortable with those tools but the same tools in Lightroom are very intuitive. Perhaps one of those tools will do the trick.

Unlike Terry, I notice that you didn't mention the cup holder. Jealousy is shown in different ways.

[Mike Buckley]

Terry, you're right that the horizon does have a very slight dip that I hadn't noticed. That's not a surprise considering that the tabletop is a piece of felt. Another good reason to try a tabletop made of black acrylic; that sucker won't dip.

[Loose Canon]

Agreed, at least in this situation when the material is really glossy. It will be interesting to see what seems to be best with materials that don't produce such a strong direct reflection.

It really gets fun when you try to get those gradients on something like a very small, thin shiny ring or piece of jewelry!

[Mike Buckley]

It really gets fun when you try to get those gradients on something like a very small, thin shiny ring or piece of jewelry!

I won't have to worry about that. I rarely photograph anything that doesn't hold wine or at least some alcoholic beverage.

[Saorsa]

Doesn't the landlord get bothered when you set up for portaits in a pub?

[Mike Buckley]

My landlord gets upset with me for lots of things. However, forgiveness comes pretty quickly when I remind her that I cook all of her dinners. You have probably already guessed that my landlord is my wife.

[PhotoRob]

Very nice Mike, well done creating such a well exposed image...

[Loose Canon]

The real question is why didn't it come all the way down? I think I know the answer but I haven't tested my theory about that. I liked it as is so I quit while I was ahead, also because I had already knocked over the framed sheet of translucent vellum making a change in the confines of my makeshift studio.

Its a quick and easy fix in post anyway if you were of a mind to. Usually much easier (and cheaper) than knocked over diffusion panels and other equipment in the studio!

My God! I just thought... You didn't hurt the cup holder did you??????

[Stagecoach]

Very impressive Mike, so much impact in those colours. If only the manufacturers would put their labels on straight things would be so much easier

Grahame

[Digital]

Mike, very nice image.



Bruce

[Mike Buckley]

Continued thanks to everyone!

If only the manufacturers would put their labels on straight things would be so much easier

Tell me about it. I think part of the problem is that the labels become stretched when they are applied to the bottles.

[deetheturk]

Very nice Mike!