What can I do to make this better....

[joel]

Alright fellas, I am pretty happy with this pic...
http://www.badgerandblade.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=5733
however, being that I want to learn as much as possible, what could I do to make it better? What/where are the flaws? Could/should I use a mirror (a la Jerry) to "lighten" it up more?

Thoughts, recommendations, opinions are appreciated :smile:

[Joedy]

Too many vertical lines. Picture is lifeless. Turn the cork on the side and offset the angle.

Background color does not allow the brown and white colors to mix nicely. Aim for a light brown background.

Lighting is too flat and bland. Use a single point diffused and offset light with some gold foil reflectors to illuminate the sides.

The tag string is distracting. Make use of it by draping it on the bottle for a dynamic effect. Not many tags come with strings, so make use of it.

Cork and bottle color are your strongest elements with the white and green label offering a nice contrast. Focus on pointing out these items.

Change your point of view.

What is your goal with this photo?

-joedy

[DoubleE]

Joel:

It's kind of like what's the best shaving products......everyone's opinions are different! Photography is one of the most subjective areas I've found.

First of all, it's a very nice image. I agree with Joedy on a couple of points. One is, a diagonal line or two would add a more dynamic feel to it.

I also like his idea on a little gold directional lighting. Would really accent it.

You'll find you can spend hours on one image (whether shooting it, and/or post processing it) and I just don't have the patience for it. That's probably why I'll never be a famous photographer!

Edit: I was in a seminar of a high profile portrait photographer and he asked the room of around 70 people "how many of you cull you images before showing them to your clients?" About 95% raised their hands. To which he replied "You're loosing sales then.". His point was you know what you like, you don't know what your client likes. I've had customers purchase images I'd have thrown in the trash!!! And, I've had images I thought were art that they just passed right over!

[joel]

Interesting points guys.... I have no idea what gold directional lighting is though :redface:

What equipment/lighting/flashes/etc would you recommend?

[DoubleE]

Interesting points guys.... I have no idea what gold directional lighting is though :redface:

What equipment/lighting/flashes/etc would you recommend?

There are several reflectors on the market, the most well know is Photoflex. They are little round spring loaded jobies that pop open at the flip of the wrist (you may have seen windshield reflectors that work the same way). Typically one side is white and the other silver, or white/gold, or silver/gold. With one of these, it's easy to cast gold highlights back onto the subject.

You can make your own silver one by crumpling up some aluminum foil, then uncrumpling it and attaching it to a piece of cardboard. The crumpling takes care of the smooth surface and reduces the harshness of the reflected light.

With studio lighting, you put a snoot (device that focuses down the light) and add a gold gel......too much trouble for a SOTD for me!!!!

[Joedy]

You can make your own silver one by crumpling up some aluminum foil, then uncrumpling it and attaching it to a piece of cardboard. The crumpling takes care of the smooth surface and reduces the harshness of the reflected light.


Easy and cheap way to make your own is to spray paint some gold paint onto aluminum foil. Crumple it and then wrap it around a piece of cardboard for ease of use.

Learning about directional lighting and such is a world unto itself. Check out some websites or better yet, the local library should have some books that address the issue.

You will want to study "studio" or product photography to learn some of the simple tricks that makes the professionals look so good. Like the aluminum foil technique, a little tweaking can make a tremendous difference between an OK photo and one that combines the best of all avenues of photography such as artistic presentation and clarity and so on.

Tissue paper, for example, is often used as a cheap diffuser which helps to soften the shadows and to tone down the harsh light associated with flash photography.

Of course, you could always shoot underexposed by a step or two and then push the exposure values in the software in the post processing, ideally using the RAW format (what the heck was that I just said?!), but like I mentioned, the wonderful world of photography is a whole new hobby to learn. :wink2:

-joedy

[Lyrt]

Interesting points guys.... I have no idea what gold directional lighting is though :redface:

What equipment/lighting/flashes/etc would you recommend?

Go there (http://www.lastolite.com/trigrips.php).

Click on “Colours” next to “Full Specifications” at the bottom of the page. Slide your cursor over the different colours and you’ll see their effects on the portrait that should appear in the middle of the page.

[Joedy]

Insofar as equipment, just use what you have already.

A spare lamp or two with some thin fabric to soften the light (perhaps even some brown'ish fabric which will help to compliment and draw out the brown bottle and the brown cork colors.)

Some reflectors can be easily made as was mentioned.

Aim for a brown or a tan background instead of white or grey.

Soften the edges in post processing.

Change your composition and your viewpoint and move in closer.

Decide if you want your photo to show the timeless quality associated with a corked bottle and Bay Rum or if you're just wanting to show how the bottle comes from the manufacturer.

-joedy

[GeeQue]

http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/5271/bayrumps6.jpg

[Gatorade]

http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/5271/bayrumps6.jpg


Nice! Now if only that cork was on it's side....

[GeeQue]

You mean like this ?
http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/2867/bayrum2aig8.jpg

[Lyrt]

Exactly, and with no burnt out highlights on the paper if possible. :biggrin:

[wcbaker]

In the original, the left side of the bottle has an almost green cast, you might give it a warmer glow. Either you could do something to the light or fiddle with it in post processing.

[aspherical]

Looks like more of a blue cast to me. Joel, was there a window near where you were shooting?

Gonzalo, I think the cork would look better facing the other way. And you're having way too much fun with that pen tool.

[Gatorade]

You mean like this ?
http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/2867/bayrum2aig8.jpg

Yep. That's what I meant!

[pellicle]

http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/5271/bayrumps6.jpg

Rule (http://photospot2004.blogspot.com/2004/07/rule-of-thirds.html) of (http://photoinf.com/General/KODAK/guidelines_for_better_photographic_composition_rul e_of_thirds.html) thirds (http://www.apogeephoto.com/jan2002/altengarten.shtml). :001_smile

[GeeQue]

Yes, Rule of Thirds is one way of putting it. Simply put.. by adding more "negative space" or 2/3 (area that has nothing to do with your subject), you create a roadway to your subject. It's used in advertising all the time :001_smile