Critique - First studio attempt (Constructive Criticism Welcome)

[DueyDooDah]

This is my first attempt at lighting. I used a single main light (250W), positioned behind the camera, pointing upward and indirectly lighting the subject from the background.

The camera was in manual and I used f/16 to gain the DOF I wanted to ensure the lettering was infocus, ISO 100 and set the proper exposure to 1/2 second. I also set WB to 3200K, which is the rating of my lights. I used my nifty 50mm lens for the shot. [Metadata is included in photo]

Please be brutally honest (but no name calling [unless I deserve it, anyway].)

 

[Suburbanmom]

I think you did an excellent job on the glass. I don't see an light glare, of course, that's good! I've never photographed glass, so I can't give any opinion from personal experience.

The only thing that I think would improve the shot, is to have had a sheet of plexiglass or white melanine board under the mug. That would have given you a slight reflection and eliminated the feeling of floating in space.

I like how the color of the liquid warms up the lip and base of the mug. Good job.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Lighting looks nice, Duey.

What about experimenting with the subject a bit to make it more visually interesting...

How about the glass chilled/frosted, filled to the top, with foam spilling over the side a bit, like one you'd get at a bar?

Or maybe one with bright red lipstick on the rim?

A hand holding the handle? It could be fun with different types of hands - very masculine or very feminine, etc. A very hairy man's hand would add texture. A perfectly manicured woman's hand could be one paired with the red lipstick, etc.

Just some random thoughts when I look at it...

 

[DueyDooDah]

The only thing that I think would improve the shot, is to have had a sheet of plexiglass or white melanine board under the mug. That would have given you a slight reflection and eliminated the feeling of floating in space.

I'm using a seamless sheet of backing (actually, just some white roll paper from the local arts and crafts) to remove any distractions from the subject. I agree, there could be better placings but this gives me the opportunity to focus my lighting efforts on the subject without additional complexities, for now.

Lighting looks nice, Duey.

What about experimenting with the subject a bit to make it more visually interesting...

Great suggestions, Pea. For right now, I am concerned only with lighting. What makes the best photo for different materials, etc. I am amazed at the different moods I get just from moving a light up or down, left or right. Adding more lights (I have the requisite 3) adds to the mystery of "the right composure." Just this simple example shows me how many variations are possible (actually, too many to count) just with a single light. You would not believe (or maybe you would) how many photos I took, and how hard it was to find the best one. After all, the camera is going to give a good photo no matter what (for as much as they cost, thay had better do a good job.) It's the lighting that makes or breaks a photo of this kind.

I have some photos of the Cinderella Castle (the Olszenski piece from WDW), also, that I took. I think I found the right lighting, but used the wrong aperture and the DOF is too small. Once I get it the way I want, and my week is up for posting one shot, I may put up my finished product for critique.

Anyway, thank you both for the comments and I appreciate your feedback. I will be sure to use your ideas once I get better, and more comfortable, with my current learning efforts.

 

[Quicklabs]

I think it's a great shot. I like the reflections of the beer on the rim and at the base of the glass. The lettering came out great. I want that beer to look colder, though. (I am a beer drinker, and prefer mine with a big old foamy head and frost on the glass.) I also wonder would happen with a more dramatic background? Black maybe? I imagine it might be hard to do without messing up the color of the beer and losing the glass. Keep 'em coming.

 

[InsertWittyNameHere]

How about using an amber colored beer to give more of a contrast to the white surroundings?

Overall a nice pic. The beer could have very easily gotten washed out but came through great

 

[dr_zero]

I like it! the one thing I would like is it to be a bit brighter, when I look at it the white border is not white white to me.

Could be a gamma issue but when I popped it in capture nx and picked the border as the white level it looked a bit better to me.

These are just my opinions not trying to be ugly or anything.

 

[MontanaZoo]

I like what you've done, this isn't something I do a lot of so take my opinion with a grain of salt.

I personally feel like the photo isn't balanced out, that the 2/3 with the color is heavier and the glass handle doesn't balance that out evenly....trying to think how to change that. Maybe try angling the handle or getting a reflection in the glass of the handle of something out of view for color?

Oh hey, maybe have a darker shadow cast on that side of the pic?

Other than that I think you did a great job....any way you could make bubbles floating up in the beer from the bottom?

 

[orchjoe]

You should try shooting it with a little head in the beer or maybe put some salt into it so you get the bubbles when you first pour a beer. Maybe some olives?

A frosted glass might look alright but I would be afraid that you wouldn't be able to see the logo very clear on the outside of the glass. Maybe if you frosted a glass and helped the area over the logo to warm up so you could see it.

The focus seems great along with the colors... I would try it with a amber beer like suggested. (I would use something red like George killian's and find a way to mess up the shot over and over)... you might be surprised how it can change the look of the picture.

The color of the beer and not being drunk.. but hey who knows right?

 

[DueyDooDah]

See, I fooled you all. I didn't have beer around the house (I know, that's unforgivable) so I used a little Resina (Greek wine). That's why no foam and the light color.

Wow, some great feedback by all. Thanks. I'll put to practice much of what I've seen here. I hope my next photo will be much better, due to your assistance. Thanks all.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I fooled you all.

I used a little Resina (Greek wine).

Knew something wasn't quite right with that "beer". LOL

Will look forward to seeing your next shots.

 

[DizzyV6P]

You should try the "dropping ice in the glass trick" next

 

[MontanaZoo]

Ok, crazy idea...is there beer colored jello? like the white grape or something with some food coloring in it? Maybe you can work with that to get the perfect bubbles coming up from the bottom but it'll be nice and stationary for your studio shoot.

 

[MICKEY88]

a lot of good ideas,

how about a small crystal cinderellas castle in the bottom of the mug...

 

[thomas998]

Ok, crazy idea...is there beer colored jello? like the white grape or something with some food coloring in it? Maybe you can work with that to get the perfect bubbles coming up from the bottom but it'll be nice and stationary for your studio shoot.

Yes there is I think apricot jello would be about the right color... I suspect if you disolved it in some warm water (half of what you are supposed to use) and then use chilled ginger ale to mix in the other half before you put it in the ice box... it should set up with some bubble inside it.

 

[jann1033]

i know nothing about lighting and very little about beer but should the mug have more shadowing along the sides? it just looks a little flat ( the glass not the beer/wine /kool aid/jello) rather than the rounded look you'd usually have with a glass. i agree something like foam, water droplets, reflection would make it more interesting but is sounds like you were just going for the basics here first.