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DPChallenge Forums >> Tips, Tricks, and Q&A >> Help with photographing bottles.
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 03/15/2008 10:34:11 PM · #1
I have some old bottles from my collection that are pictured on my website...they suck ;) Those pics were old scans of bad film pics. Now that I have my new Digital Rebel I would like to replace those pics with some nice shots. I did a search on Google for tips but the results are mainly for photographing wine bottles.
I'm more interested in the effect shown on this page: //picasaweb.google.com/annayb/RestaurantLEDLighting/photo#5114225361758186098.
However, I don't have a "Crystal Shelf Light". Does anybody have any tips or suggestions that may yield similar results using common household items. Plus I have a fairly well stocked workshop if we need to use something from there too.

This is one of my webpages. You can see my failed attempt at getting the type of results above. The embossing on the bottles are hard to read. //www.garren.net/treasurechronicle/pastlogs/642003.html

I have the Digital Rebel XT with 18 - 55 Canon Lens to work with. Also, the two other lenses listed in my profile.
I would also need some help with recommended exposure settings for whatever setup we come up with.

I love how the bottles have more illumination than the background and foreground in that first link. If this is out of my reach, maybe some photos like this? : //www.sha.org/bottle/Typing/liquor/liquorgroup_med.jpg

Thanks in advance - Garren

Message edited by author 2008-03-16 02:56:55.
 03/15/2008 10:40:55 PM · #2
If you can find the book called "Science, light and magic" (think that's the title anyway) it has a section on lighting glass. Look for it at the library. I didn't look at the images you are referring to but a good way to light glass is to have a large white background that light bounces off to light the edges of the glass, and have a black piece of paper between the glass and the light so that when you look through the lens the black takes up the whole veiw finder. If you don't get enough detail that way maybe an additional side light would help but avoid that light hitting the black sheet. I probably didn't word that very well but hopefully it gets you going in the right direction.
 03/15/2008 10:53:11 PM · #3
There's a gazillion ways to photograph glass bottles. Controlling reflections and hot spots can be a challenge, but it's not too difficult.

You might try 'painting with light' to get a different look.

Another way would be to light the bottles from below. Use a black background and place the bottles on a glass shelf with the light under the shelf.

You can use just about any type of light. Just adjust the white balance to compensate for any color cast.
03/15/2008 10:54:30 PM · #4
Originally posted by jschro:
If you can find the book called "Science, light and magic" (think that's the title anyway) it has a section on lighting glass.


Thanks jschro. Is this the right book? Amazon listing. It has a chapter (7) titled " The case of the disappearing glass"

~G
 03/15/2008 11:17:51 PM · #5
Originally posted by garren:
Originally posted by jschro:
If you can find the book called "Science, light and magic" (think that's the title anyway) it has a section on lighting glass.


Thanks jschro. Is this the right book? Amazon listing. It has a chapter (7) titled " The case of the disappearing glass"

~G


Just light it from below.

Use some kind of frosted glass or plexi to set your bottles on, then two strips of opaque black paper to mask the front and back and make a strip of light down the center.

Party on Wayne.
 03/16/2008 01:11:01 AM · #6
Originally posted by garren:
Originally posted by jschro:
If you can find the book called "Science, light and magic" (think that's the title anyway) it has a section on lighting glass.


Thanks jschro. Is this the right book? Amazon listing. It has a chapter (7) titled " The case of the disappearing glass"

~G


Yeah, that's the right book. It's worth 5 times what you'll pay for it.
 03/17/2008 01:06:17 AM · #7
Yes that's the book I'm talking about. It's really a great all around lighting book and will give you many ideas to work with.
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