While most people with camera phones these days think of themselves to be aesthetic photographers of food and drink for social media, cocktail photography is a relatively nuanced art which has a delicacy of its own. Taking into account various factors like equipment, setting, mood and communication, taking photographs of drinks also involve a key factor – that of lighting.
Natural Light
Natural light brings out the best qualities of your drink; soft, diffused light can work wonders to highlight key components like the garnish. Make the most of natural light by setting up your drink near a window to create a natural glow. When using natural light, avoid shooting when the sunlight is harsh since it might create unflattering shadows and even distort the colours of your cocktail. Shooting during the early hours of the day or just before sunset is advisable.
Intensity & Shadows
Use LED lights if natural lighting is not available; however, make sure to control the intensity and direction of the light by experimenting with strategic positioning. You could also control the intensity by using diffusers to soften harsh light and create an even illumination. Alternatively, you can also use reflectors to bounce light back onto your subject and fill in any shadows while adding a touch of brightness.
Create Drama
Backlighting is a great way to achieve a sense of drama in your cocktail photographs. Place your light source behind the drink to that it filters through the liquid, accentuating its colours and textures. This technique works best with translucent ingredients or glasses with no texture and condensation.
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Lighting From Below
An alternative to backlighting is to light your cocktails from below and create a visually impactful effect. Known as underlighting, it is great for highlighting the details and textures of a drink by making use of a small LED light or a table lamp placed beneath a transparent surface. Be careful of any resultant shadows created by the glassware, by adjusting the angle and intensity of the light.
Set The Mood
To achieve the right mood in your cocktail photographs, it is imperative to understand the nuances of colour temperature. How warm or cool your images look will depend on your light source. For warm tones, use tungsten lighting to create a cosy and intimate atmosphere. For cooler tones, you can opt for LED light to create a fresh and modern feel.
Using Props
Props not only add visual interest but are also a great way to create creative shadows in your images. You can experiment with various garnishes, decorative stirrers, and cocktail paraphernalia to cast interesting shadows on your backdrop, creating an immersive experience for the viewer.