lighting glass bottles

Still life photographers capture the image of various objects and landscapes. Due to their transparent nature, glass bottles are different from opaque objects when it comes to accurately photographing their shape and form. The manipulation of the lighting, background and angle of the bottle are all essential for creating a photograph that represents the glass bottle's true-life look.

Difficulty:

 

Moderate

Instructions

things you'll need:

• Macro camera lens with low apertures

1. • 1
     Set up the glass bottle against a well-lit, neutral backdrop. Remove any objects on the wall, or cover the wall with a sheet. Use bright lighting on the background to remove any shadows or shades that might interact negatively with the transparent surface of the glass bottle.
   • 2
     Turn off the camera's flash, and use natural, indirect lighting. A flash is too bright and will create glare off of the glass surface, while natural lighting allows the color and shape of the bottle to come into play.
   • 3
     Aim the camera, and look through it at the glass bottle. Look for any reflections that may be capturing unnecessary settings, such as yourself or someone else in the room. Adjust your position so that such reflections do not appear.
   • 4
     Take a picture. Adjust yourself and continue shooting photographs. Experiment with zooming in or out so that the glass bottle fills the lens. Glass bottles are difficult subjects to photograph due to their subtle nuances. Move around and try different angles, such as looking down or up at the bottle. Review the final images and select the photographs that you wish to keep.