Scotch anyone?

[Raskill]

I just got a light tent, and so, with my trusty lamps (with natural light bulbs) tried it out. I've only had it an hour, so I'm curious as to what people think of this:



The focal point for the lens and DOF was the label, so the neck is slightly OOF.

Anyone care to comment. I spent the best part of an hour photographing rum and scotch. My wife thinks I'm a loon.

All C&C appreciated.

Thanks!

[Justin]

sharp as a tack, but the very bright white seems to completely dominate the picture, also as you say the neck and cork are out of focus, I would suggest more DOF. perhaps softening the light somehow?

[Jamie]

I really dont care much for the lighting im afraid.

How did you have the lights set up and how many?

Did you use a cardboard back drop or anything?

The actual picture is nice and sharp but could have done with a little more DOF.

[Paul]

Well bugger me with rusty spike!
Glenrothes is a town only 6miles from my home town!
Although I'm fairly sure this bottle was never distilled there
Nice work mate, a bit too bright for me, maybe tone down the lights at the back to balance it out.

[daniel_r]

This got me thinking about an article on Strobist about shooting reflective beer bottles - the technique might come in handy for what you're doing.

[avkomp]

doesnt do much for me either.

the whole idea may be to get a soft even light and no shadows.

this seems dominated by the 2 bright spots in the image

Steve

[sheepie]

After the meeting I just got out of, a scotch or five would go down rather nicely

As to the picture, I think the shallow DOF is a bit of a distraction, as is the highlight on the label. It's not a bad effort, but I'd like to see it again (if there's anything left in the bottle) with more in focus, and less of a blowout in the background. The table (?) on an angle across the back is also a bit of a worry.

Sorry - perhaps you just got me in a bit of a bad mood

[Raskill]

Okay, so the general concensus is the light is to bright.

Thats okay, tis what I needed to hear. I guess I'll need to move the light sources away from the sides of the tent, which should let the light 'diffuse' that bit more. Maybe have a light coming down from the top also, to help reduce shadowing.

It's all new, so all advice is good advice!!!

Paul, if you can get your hands on a bottle (not mine) try it. The '73 is pretty pricey, but it is the BEST single malt I've had.

[gstark]

I spent the best part of an hour photographing rum and scotch. My wife thinks I'm a loon.

So do I. You're supposed to drink it, not photograph it. After an hour, the bottle should bloody well be empty!

Will somebody attack this man with a fridge magnet?




Reduce the amount of backlighting; as others have said, it's too bright and a distraction. Let the light tent handle the background naturally, or else point a light or two towards the back, but from the side and behind, the bottle. But that's really not needed.

Basically, just try one light on each side, just a little in front of the bottle - ie, towards the camera. Something as simple as that should really do the job.

Then, try to aim for a greater DoF - use a solid tripod, slower shutter speed and and your remote , and then perhaps use hyperfocal distance on your lens in order to maximise your use of the DoF.

[MCWB]

After the meeting I just got out of, a scotch or five would go down rather nicely

Hope it wasn't an AA meeting!

Alan: yup, the background highlight kills it for me. The OOF neck doesn't bother me, it just changes the focus of the image to the label and surrounding colour. That's ok by me, but others may prefer having all forward-facing surfaces in focus.