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One of the most well-liked categories of food photography nowadays is cocktail photography. It's a fantastic chance to play around with colour, food styling, and interesting objects. Whether it's a daiquiri in the summer or mulled wine in the winter, the finest food photographers understand that a drink can convey the essence of the season.
They are aware that creating the ideal setting requires careful attention to every little detail, including the lighting, props, and even the condensation on the glass. But there are challenges to taking pictures of drinks. So, to help you master the art of cocktail photography, here are six fantastic suggestions to help you become an expert at taking pictures of refreshing beverages, from the ideal camera angles to garnish perfection.
Pick The Right Glass
Your glasses might be clear or coloured, patterned with exquisite cut features, or sleek and simple with a chic or modern edge. In general, photographers believe that richly patterned glasses don't require as many decorations to accent the drink as plain glasses do since they can showcase a lot of garnishes. A martini glass is best suited for a Classic Martini whereas a highball glass will help you get the best pictures of a Mojito.
Use Natural Light
The majority of photographers will tell you that natural light works best for photographs of food and beverages. You have two options: either move your items near a window or outside on your porch or purchase pricey equipment that mimics natural light.
However, keep in mind that direct light can also wash out the colours or generate strong shadows that could be distracting or cause undesirable reflections of the glass. Whenever possible, try to take pictures in the diffused light of early morning or just before dusk. Cloudy days also make for excellent photography since they dilute natural light.
Layered cocktails like Rainbow Shooter, Fruit-based cocktails like Tropical Margarita, and clear cocktails like Gin and Tonic are best clicked in a natural light setting.
Keep A Neutral Background
The cocktail in the picture can be easily highlighted thanks to the neutral backdrop. However, neutral can also just indicate "not busy," rather than implying a backdrop that is white, black, or beige. Natural fibres (straw, hessian, etc.), wood, stone, and linens (tablecloths and napkins) are some true stars that go very well with drinks.
However, if the backdrop of your picture is cluttered, consider blurring it to make it appear more subdued. This will give the drink, which is the focal point of the picture, a similar "highlighting" look. Cosmopolitan, Mint Julep, Negroni, and more are some of the cocktails that flourish in photographs with a neutral background.
Play With Angles
Ask any expert food photographer. Getting the money shot requires taking several photos. Food plates enjoy being clicked from above. Drinks look best when photographed from the front or at a little tilt.
If you take a picture of a drink from above, it may showcase the lovely liqueur, froth, ice cubes, and garnishes. However, you will not see the glass's lovely form. Experiment with shooting images from various depths, heights, and perspectives. The light source's distance and angle can also affect how the image turns out.
An overhead shot is perfect for a Martini since it will show the clean lines of the drink whereas a long angle shot is ideal for Mint Julep so that it can emphasise the height. The low angle is perfect for cocktails that are served in tall glasses.
Invest In Fake Ice Cubes
You have to think about investing in some high-quality artificial ice cubes if you plan to pursue drink photography as a career. They are expensive and produced by a small number of companies. Starting with a few essential components saved up is a smart idea.
Ice is an extremely perishable item yet it is a necessary component for many cocktail photos. You will only have a few minutes in a hot styling room with an ice cube before it melts away and you miss the chance to get the ideal, ice-filled photo.
A set of fake ice cubes makes a really useful prop. They are an excellent tool for pre-lighting your drink photography sessions since they seem really realistic.
Garnish It Well
A delightful technique to give your drink photos that extra unique touch and appeal is to use garnishes. A straightforward lemon peel, wedge, or rosemary sprig can add an additional piece of texture, contrast, and colour. To make your images stand out, it is advised to use complementary colours in the garnishes—colours that are opposite to one another on the colour wheel.
Consider the garnishes on the rims of your glasses as well. You can enhance the composition with additional interest and details by adding sugar or salt to your glasses.
A garnish of a long cinnamon stick and a star anise floating atop a hot toddy can enhance the look of the cocktail, a pineapple wedge and cherry for a Pina Colada, lemon slice and cherry for Tom Collins, and more.
