Still life action - prep for Febs Coffee Session

[biggerry]

A few things I have wanted to try for some time but never really got motivated to do - rather than read up on every technique and buy all teh bits and gadgets to do this kind of stuff, i thought I would have a crack with teh gear I have and see what turned up.

The first few are in prep for Patricks coffee and film meet in feb

Looking at the images a few things stand out to me, firstly the BG's are not quite a uniform white, this becomes much more apparent on web resizing, secondly, the position and symmetry of the props is super, yes super important, even a slight variation can make teh world of difference.

At the end of it all I am not overly happy with these, however it was certainly a learning experience - now i can go out and buy all the props and gear

Critique and advice very welcome - particularly on the composition and lighting techniques - bearing in mind I only have one speedlite.

Golden coffee in a golden cup..





bloody test shot worked out better than the real one...




definitely enjoyed this one well the after session anyway.

[Matt. K]

Gerry
I admire the control, technique and simplicity of the last 3 images. Very professional.

[Geoff M]

For one speedlight you have done very well to control the spread of light and minimize shadows. I guess you have used reflectors as fill too?

The composition in #'s 2 & 3 are great, I think the segment of cup and saucer in the upper corner works so well.

#4 could do with some more space at the bottom to include the reflection of the ice cubes plus a bit more. The reflection of the glass exiting frame is not an issue however.

[Steffen]

While I totally admire the technique shown in these shots the end result feels a bit contrived to me.

I do adore those cups, however, where can I buy them?

Cheers
Steffen.

[PiroStitch]

Composition of the 2nd and 3rd ones are the strongest.

Just on the first, the RHS of the cup needs more of a highlight to separate it from the saucer.

[Remorhaz]

That second compo is very nice and whilst the last is a pretty standard I can admire the technique which went into making it and the look you've got is very professional looking (agree it could have done with a little more space at the bottom).

Were you using the softbox and reflectors for this?

[zafra52]

The two that work for me best are 4 & 2.
I like the clean and simple composition
and the choice of colours over a neutral
white field.

I guess you could sell the 4th to Cinzano
or Martini, but only if you added a peel of
lemon.

[norwest]

#4 makes me thirsty. Nice shot.

[biggerry]

Gerry
I admire the control, technique and simplicity of the last 3 images. Very professional.

For one speedlight you have done very well to control the spread of light and minimize shadows. I guess you have used reflectors as fill too?
The composition in #'s 2 & 3 are great, I think the segment of cup and saucer in the upper corner works so well.
#4 could do with some more space at the bottom to include the reflection of the ice cubes plus a bit more. The reflection of the glass exiting frame is not an issue however.

No reflectors, don't own any of those (yet) this was done just with a single softbox.

I wish I had more room on teh bottom for that last one as well, however my bit of glass was too small to gain any extra room, next time

While I totally admire the technique shown in these shots the end result feels a bit contrived to me.
I do adore those cups, however, where can I buy them?

very very contrived the cups are little antique ones I have had for years, got no idea where you would buy them now...antique store probably.

That second compo is very nice and whilst the last is a pretty standard I can admire the technique which went into making it and the look you've got is very professional looking (agree it could have done with a little more space at the bottom).

Were you using the softbox and reflectors for this?

cheers Rodney, just a softbox.

The two that work for me best are 4 & 2.
I like the clean and simple composition
and the choice of colours over a neutral
white field.

I guess you could sell the 4th to Cinzano
or Martini, but only if you added a peel of
lemon.

Cheers Zafra, i guess i may well do that, at the very least they could send me out a case of cinzano to practice with..

#4 makes me thirsty. Nice shot.

i don't feel thirsty any more..just got a headache now

[aim54x]

Very nice work Gerry...I love the last one!

[Reschsmooth]

I like the last but you need to get rid of the condensation on the side of the glass next time.

The first coffee shot needs slightly more DOF and light on the left handside of the cup, from the viewer's perspective.

The other two are good but the bean placement needs something - too contrived.

[biggerry]

I like the last but you need to get rid of the condensation on the side of the glass next time.

The first coffee shot needs slightly more DOF and light on the left handside of the cup, from the viewer's perspective.

The other two are good but the bean placement needs something - too contrived.

how does one make the beans less contrived?

The condensation is a good point, but dependent on conditions, this appeared with 30 seconds of the ice/grog being poured

[Steffen]

I reckon the condensation droplets add to rather than distract from the image, they give it a colder feel.

Regarding the cup and bean placement, I cannot suggest any better other than noting that it doesn't look right. I guess this is where art direction comes into it…

Cheers
Steffen.

[surenj]

Gerry, these are rather good technically and it's hard to critique when I can't find any technical bits to critique on. Ok one minor bit is a green tint on the ice on the table you need to get rid of. Perhaps I need to remove my green tinted glasses?

I love the 'contrived' look or whatever look you've achieved here. The cups dominate a wee bit but the beans are able to shine through nicely.

I also prefer the condensed look. Is this iced coffee? or Scotch?

Overall these are very high quality and wouldn't look out of place in a magazine etc.

This series has inspired me to try and do a rebuttal with a instant coffee argument to the story.... Watch this space.....

[biggerry]

it doesn't look right. I guess this is where art direction comes into it…

damn art...

Gerry, these are rather good technically and it's hard to critique when I can't find any technical bits to critique on. Ok one minor bit is a green tint on the ice on the table you need to get rid of. Perhaps I need to remove my green tinted glasses?

I love the 'contrived' look or whatever look you've achieved here. The cups dominate a wee bit but the beans are able to shine through nicely.

I also prefer the condensed look. Is this iced coffee? or Scotch?

Overall these are very high quality and wouldn't look out of place in a magazine etc.

This series has inspired me to try and do a rebuttal with a instant coffee argument to the story.... Watch this space.....

I think maybe just having the cup there by itself would be enough, ie a cup in the top corner and white BG.

I noticed that tint in the ice, not sure what that is from....lucky i did not eat that one

scotch all the way - i needed that after the day I had and another one....

I await your rebuttal, let the battle of the coffee shot begin

[surenj]

scotch all the way

Which type...

[biggerry]

scotch all the way

Which type...

cheap stuff...