BEVERAGE WORKSHOP ASSIGNMENT SEVEN

A PERFECT HEAD OF BEER OR SODA

Two approaches here:

1. If you have never shot a head of beer or root beer or cream soda, I want you to focus on that particular skill. A perfect head.
2. If you have shot beer or soda before, I want you to do a “Workman’s Lunch” shot. Beer (Root Beer), a simple sandwich, and a “side” like chips or fries or a salad. A lunch that could be packed into a bag or box. That is important.

What is a perfect head of beer?

Well, many say that it is about 1/4 to 1/8 percent of the glass if it is indeed a beer glass. Beer glasses are generally tall and straight without fluting. Are there exceptions, yes… of course? Can you use an exception-type glass for this assignment? Again yes.

Here is Guinness with a chart of perfection.

And you can use this as a good idea.

However, some believe that a direct pour can be the best way.

But in reality, it is how you get to the point where you are going to shoot the image.

Remember, this head of beer or soda only lasts for a few seconds. So you must be ready to make that shot immediately. 

1. Prepare well before you are going to shoot the actual image.
2. Props ready to go.
3. Stand in glass of beer or soda already in place for your light and exposure checks.
4. Know how long it takes to get the pour correct and over to the set (if you are not pouring on set).
5. Cheap beverage to practice with. Do not waste expensive products to practice.
6. Clean up materials at the ready.
7. A full knowledge of how to light a beer with a white or gold card behind it to let the light reflect back.
8. A happy to learn, great attitude.

It would be good to look at other shots of something similar. Google ‘beverage photographers’ in your city or NYC or Chicago and see what they are doing. Google “best head of beer” and see what images you can find.

And keep these stylistic ideas in mind. 

1. Lens Choice
2. Lighting angles
3. POV
4. The direction of the camera
5. Post-processing options

We want you to come up with a great and compelling shot of something that doesn’t last very long. This is an exercise in timing, research, and creativity.

Do you use one glass or four?
Are they all full of beer or are some of them empty?
Can you use shape and color to create something MORE than just a glass of beer or soda?

If you are going to shoot a glass on a white or black background, stop and take a moment. Look deeper into the idea.

Find a way to show us something we have never seen before, or something we are familiar with but in a new way.

Make is super creative, super interesting, and engaging.

Point of View and Angle. Notice that the POV is very close to the subject and the angle is bringing us a closeup of something we rarely ever see at this position. We are seeing something we are completely familiar with in a way that we are not familiar with, This creates an incredibly interesting image.

With the careful propping and styling of the food, the shot of the beer looks totally at home as a lunch. The use of shallow DoF keeps the beer looking like the main subject. If you look closely you can see the shape of the white card behind the beer catching light and reflecting it back to the camera through the beer.