The Making of a Table Top Image
Robert Penchick
A step by step recent experience in creating a table top “product” image from concept to finished image.
Step1. CONCEPT: Create an illustrative image for a wine tasting party invitation.
Ideas-Resources: Google the subject to see what other photographers have done and get some inspiration. That’s always helpful and standard procedure. Not to copy, only for inspiration to create my own version. We don’t need to re-invent the wheel here.
Formulating the Concept: Google images are helpful. A bottle of wine, with accessories and a scenic background. Concept complete.
This is a possible background image. BUT WAIT! I captured an Image that will work well.
Casa Rondena Winery, Albuquerque, New Mexico © Penchick Photography
PLAN: Project a winery image on a white screen and place the wine bottle in the foreground. Light the wine bottle to match the exposure of the projected image. I’ll be using two 5x7” LED light panels to light the product.
First test Image: To zero in on the correct exposure and depth of field needed for the product and the projected image I start with a test image and a substitute product. First test is 1/125 sec. f:2.8 ISO 200 with the M. Zuiko ED 40-150mm f:2.8 Lens.
Good Start, but the depth of field is too shallow.
Add the Wine Bottle and refine: Change to f:5.6 at 82mm focal length. Add a black Tee shirt on the table. Background still soft and a little flat.
( 2018 Cabernet Franc - A’ Dello Winery, Perkiomenville, Pennsylvania)
NEXT STEP: Go shopping!
ACCESORIES- Grapes, Cheese, Crackers, Salami and of course an apple for a touch of red.
Place the “Accessories” and refine the lighting. 1/13 sec. f:7.1 ISO 200 @85mm focal length or 170mm full frame equivilant
OH MY GOODNES! Forgot the wine glass!
ADD the wine glass. Background projection removed. Looks like the glass needs to be cleaned. Continue to refine the exposure on the “Product”.
Getting Closer, but still not satisfied with contrast on the projected background image.
FALL BACK and PUNT! While I like the idea of a projected background, the results are not what I want for the final image. Combining the two images in Photoshop as layers will allow independent control of tone, contrast and blur. The background showing through the clear part of the glass will be retained.
FINISHED PRODUCT: Two images combined, Tone and contrast adjusted, details cleaned up, Dodge and burn as needed, sharpen and final crop. Final exposure: 1/50 sec. f:6.3 ISO 200 @ focal length of 100mm or 200mm full frame equivalent.