A recipe for successful modern drink photography
Seven practical tips for eye-catching drink photography: planning, glassware, color, backgrounds, workflow, lighting and editing.
Discover a few tips for creating striking drink photographs.
We have seven ideas for aspiring food photographers, bartenders and anyone who wants to photograph beverages. Glass and liquids can be challenging, but attractive results are possible even with two affordable light sources.
*f/1.4, 1/200s, ISO 800*
Plan
Look for inspiration and decide what colors and emotions should define the photograph before preparing the drink.
Glassware
Choose a glass that suits the beverage and remember the details: fruit, plants or coasters can reinforce the story. The shape and thickness of glass also influence the way a drink looks.
Colors
Use the color wheel and combine shades deliberately. Light elements can stand out on dark backgrounds and vice versa.
Useful color schemes:
- MONOCHROMATIC
- COMPLEMENTARY
- ANALOGOUS
- TRIAD
- TETRAD
- ACHROMATIC
Background
Simple sheets of colored paper are an inexpensive, smooth background. Combine several colors geometrically and add props carefully; minimalism is a safe starting point.
*f/1.4, 1/200s, ISO 200*
Order of work
Build the composition before preparing the final drink. Foam disappears, ice melts and garnishes change, so having the scene ready helps you work quickly.
Light
You do not need an enormous lighting set. Two Quadralite SmartSticks can create colorful, modern effects. Use one close to the drink to shape highlights and shadows and place another on a stand or behind the subject as the main or background light. Adjust brightness and angle until the scene feels right.
A tripod and longer exposure can be useful. Experiment with aperture, shutter speed and ISO, and consider remote shutter release to avoid camera shake.
*f/6.3, 1/2s, ISO 100*
Editing
Post-production can help crop the image, correct white balance and build the final mood. Effects are useful, but restraint usually works best.
*f/2.8, 1/15s, ISO 100*
*f/2.8, 1/15s, ISO 100*
*f/2.8, 1/80s, ISO 100*
Today, impressive drink photography is easier than ever. With a simple setup and a little experimentation you can create images with real bar atmosphere.