Crown Golden Ale

[Rob Ekins]

I have had this product photography image in my head for a while now, today I had the luxury of burning a day to try and make it/them a reality

LX Stats:
YN560iii in Strip box CL with additional diffuser.
Godox 300ws in Stip box CR with additional diffuser.
YN560iii BOC to light label, bare bulb.
Silver bounce card behind bottle to push light from CL Strip box through the bottle.

Tabletop:
400mm x 250mm Black Perspex in front of black velvet drape.

Staging:
K Line dulling spray was used to give the perception of a chilled bottle.
Water droplets were created using a mix of glycerine and water in pump bottles, 2 mixes were used in different bottles to give the droplets a touch of irregularity.

Post:
Minor Level and curve adjustment layers to darken the BG, I also added a watermark to both images.








EDIT: As recommended by Terry and Manfred I brushed in some water from an exposure I had taken later in the shoot. Thanks for the feedback, much appreciated.





A BTS shot of the very limited space I have to work in, squeezed in between a bed and piles of toys in the spare room



C&C encouraged.






.

[Ziggy]

Don't know a thing about this type of shot but I can tell you what my eyes see.

To me the light is very well done. Even on both sides and nice glow to the contents. The condensation on the outside just makes me want to grab one.

As far as 1 vs 2 I much prefer #1. I think the ice? distracts from the bottle.

Would like to learn more about this type of work so if you could please send me a 6-pack so I can practice it would be greatly appreciated.

[Rob Ekins]

Jim,
I had no idea about making this kind of shot either until I decided I wanted to make one.

A couple of links for those that get a thirst for it
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECnXDP0k1_s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIm-SZHKOW4

[Loose Canon]

Excellent shots Rob.

I’m kind of partial to the 2nd shot because of the ice and the label is a bit more pronounced and the overall levels look to be a bit higher.

If I had to suggest something about the only thing would be maybe some small pools of water on the tabletop. Especially the 2nd shot to help sell that its ice.

Very nice work Rob.

[Shadowman]

And some chilly vapors. Nicely done.

[Rob Ekins]

Cheers Terry,
I did look at pools of water with the ice, should have kept chasing that detail.

[Rob Ekins]

Thanks John

[Mike Buckley]

Gorgeously done, Robbie! Your lighting created such a pleasing, appealing look. You defined the shape of the bottle and its cap very well.

2 mixes were used in different bottles to give the droplets a touch of irregularity.

What a great idea! Better yet, it worked so effectively. I like it so much that I just now put on my list to get a few atomizers.

The cracked ice is confusing to me but that could be because I'm not familiar with the customs of drinking ale.

The second tutorial you provided is new to me and very helpful. I had not heard of the type of projection light and lens the instructor used to light the label. Though I'm sure it's expensive, having one could make my life so much easier when photographing wine bottles. I'm going to look into that. It's nice to know that the pro resorted to making the image using two shots, as I often do (often several shots, actually) for expediency. Seeing his studio setup and the large size of it also helps me appreciate the stuff I do with such dramatically limited space.

[xpatUSA]

Super shot!

Quite partial to Golden Ale myself:

http://goliadbrewing.com/goliad-golden-ale/

(local Texas brewery).

[Manfred M]

Excellent images, Robbie. The drop and frosting effect works really well.

I like how you were able to light the edges of the bottles so effectively. The technique on how you varied the drop size on the bottle is very effective. I agree with Terry, small pools of water associated with the ice on the second shot would have taken it over the top.

I picked up a Godox 300ws a while ago and finally got the speed ring so that I could use it with my soft boxes on Friday. While I am primarily looking at it as a portable light source, it does add one more high powered light into my mix of equipment.

Well done images!

[joebranko]

Great shots! I prefer the second with the ice. The ice-ing on the cake! Is this image off level? Probably not. I have a hard time telling with my shots so it is probably perfectly right. Thanks for sharing the links.

[MrB]

Wonderful images Robbie, but it's the second one for my choice. The ice is adding to the impression of the chilled bottle. It is also giving a base or surface (even though it's not actually visible) to produce the reflection, whereas in the first the bottle seems to be floating in space.

Cheers.
Philip

[dje]

Very impressive work Robbie. Your summary of your technique is most interesting and also emphasises the fact that you don't get shots like this without putting in the effort and thought.

Dave

[bnnrcn]

Great shots ! May be a bit more space at the top would be better in #2.

[ST1]

Well captured Rob, the first image gets my vote as IMO the addition of the ice detracts from the Golden Ale bottle. Thanks for the explanation of your set up and the links

[Chri5]

Excellent exposure. I love them both and cant choose between the two. Im getting thirsty now

[Rob Ekins]

Thanks Mike,
I am not sure about the ice either, it may have been a subconscious choice as beer in Australia is definitely served cold, 4 Deg C is the preferred temperature I believe, I recall being told by a Cellarman some time ago that anything below that magic number and the cold liquid will temporarily antithesis you taste buds, personally I have been know to throw a beer in the freezer for twenty minutes to get it proper cold

Re: the profile lamp in the tutorial, it is worth noting that all of the lights used were strobes with modelling lights, I don't think he made that very clear. Depending on whether you want to shoot continuous or strobe there are cost affective solutions out there. You could use your Cinefoil or black card to make a very long malleable snoot that will give you a usable result if Gaffed to the front of one of your fixtures.

As for his studio....wouldn't it be great to have that much room! I added a BTS shot to the original post to show my working environment and give an indication of lighting set up. When I grow up I want to have a studio like Rob Grimms St. Louis Studio. That space is beautiful.

[Rob Ekins]

Terry,
I have added an edit with some water to the original post. Thanks for the feedback

Manfred,
Thank you too for the feedback. I have the 300WS SDI and love it, I use it on my interiors shots quite often. User tip: Go to your local hardware and buy a 90mm PVC cap from the plumbing dept, not the hard white ones but the more flexible version with about a 50mm collar, it will fit perfectly over the business end and protect the bubbles.

Joe,
"Is this image off level?" Good question and thanks for bringing it up. I really struggled with that aspect of the image before I was confident that I could publish it, I am a stickler for verticals being vertical and horizon lines being horizontal. This image did do my head in as there is not a straight line anywhere within the image to use as a reference point no matter where I dragged the rulers to in PS, when I made transform adjustments by very small amounts either way it just looked worse. I ended up placing a ruler down the CL side of the vertical text and settled on that. I then did some research and found that the manufactures home page contains an image that looks much like mine and appears to be leaning as well. Game over for me

[Rob Ekins]

Philip,
Thanks for your kind words and taking the time to respond, I agree the ice does anchor the shot somewhat.

[Rob Ekins]

you don't get shots like this without putting in the effort and thought.

Dave

Dave,
Thanks mate, agreed there is a difference between making an image and taking a shot.