Using the water in still life photography:how we did the shoot

[koloskov]

<p>This is the most enjoyable photo-shot I had for last few month: not only the most technically challenging but the end result is the most eye-catching and outstanding, and now I am glad to show you the results:<br /> <br /> <br /><img src="http://www.akelstudio.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/water-advertising-photography.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="818" /><br /><br />The idea was to use a water as a ultimate background to emphasize the product: water can be transparent or 100% reflective (well, not a water itself, but the water-to air boundary), the effect called total internal reflection. Long story short: when we see the water surface at relatively sharp angle, it become almost 100% reflective, acting as a mirror.<br /><br />Now, if we'll disturb the water surface so it will form a waves, some part of the wave will be a mirror-like (due to an angle) , and some will be transparent, allowing light to be transmitted.<br />Lets look on this from below the surface.<br /> <br />The lighting setup, side view:<br>

<img src="http://www.akelstudio.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Atlanta-photographer-advertisement-underwater-lighting-setup.png" alt="" width="700" height="636" /><br /><br />I've used gray backdrop behind the tank because gray can be easily darkened or highlighted. The floor under the tank is white, we need this to work as an additional reflector.<br /><br />There are two lights from the top: one, more intense (1600WS full power) 10 degrees spot to be reflected from the surface (follow the dot line), 20 degrees spot to highlight a background visible through the tank.<br /><br />Two spot lights were used to highlight the object, one from the front-top, shown on the schema drawing. the second was from the right behind....<br /><br /> Getting lost? :-)<br /><br />To make it easier to understand, here you go, the real setup:<br /> <br /> <img src="http://www.akelstudio.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/still-life-underwater-photography-lighting-setup.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="467" /><br /><br /> <br /><br />Lights by number:<br /><br />1. 20 degrees spot with gold gel to highlight a large spot on a background, visible through the tank. It was placed to be on the front to spill some light on the object making a tiny gold accent.<br /><br />2. White 10 degrees spot light, only to highlight the object. Placed high on top to let reflection form the bottom of tank highlight the object from the bottom.<br /><br />3. "Hair" light. You know what it did to our bottle, right? Just look at right side (left if it was flipped upside down) of it. :-)<br /><br />4. 10 degrees Spot hitting right on the behind of the tank, to be reflected from the surface at given camera angle.<br /><br />Few more images using the same setup:<br /><br /> <img src="http://www.akelstudio.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/water-advertising-product-photography.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="851" /><br /><br /> <img src="http://www.akelstudio.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/under-water-studio-photography.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="661" /><br /><br />Behind the scene video, I was trying to explain and show the whole process:<br /> <a href="

youtube channel </a><br /><br />There is also a detailed shoot specification on the blog article:<br /> <a href="http://www.akelstudio.com/blog/water-in-still-life-and-advertisement-photography-episode-one">Akelstudio blog</a> <br /><br />Sure this will be interesting for the community, would be glat to hear your opinions.<br /><br />Alex Koloskov</p>

[sheldonnalos]

<p>Great shots Alex, and a great tutorial. I like the green Axe shot best, but they are all wonderful. It took me a long time to realize how these were shot, I was picturing it as being above the water rather than in the water.</p>

<p>Thanks for taking the time to put this together!</p>

[Alex]

<p>Alex, very nice images and nice to see how you made them. I saw your 6 videos on You Tube and likes them all.<br>

Congratulations on your great work and again thanks for sharing how you made them that was great.<br>

Alex</p>

[DEGREEFOTO]

<p>Great work Alex....your video explains it all in a down to earth manner. Look forward to seeing more of your work....</p>

<p>Artur</p>

[Matt Laur]

<p>Beautifully done, and graciously presented Alex. Thanks!</p>

[JDMvW]

<p>Nice to share like this. Thanks very much.</p>

[leicaglow]

<p>Alex, very very nice. I hadn't thought of working with water that way. I can see how you could get much more control of the image that way. Thank you.</p>

[mel_cox]

<p>Great info Alex, thanks so much.</p>

[lindamccague]

<p>Wonderful!</p>

[hjoseph7]

Incredible ! thanks for all the diagrams, you don't find this stuff in books.

[mitchell_rainero]

<p>Great shots and tutorial.</p>