Bartender here... tip for the garnishes. You can shock them (what we do every shift before service). Take your basil or mint, and lightly submerge your bunch into a pitcher or cup of ice water. Let it sit for a couple minutes in the ice bath and then remove and gently shake off the water. This keeps your herbs bright and rigid for hours.
Another bartender here, using a propper polishing cloth can really maye your glassware look crisp and pristine. Im a personal fan of the Riedel Polishing cloth: www.amazon.com/dp/B000F2SRFS/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_awdb_joC8Eb42G2WW7
I've been in the alcohol beverage industry for years, during that time I have been a part of several demonstrations and conversations regarding cocktail photography, I have to say this is the BEST tutorial I have yet to see on cocktail photography. Thank you for explaining things in such a clear and concise manner, I look forward to giving your tips and tricks a try! 🙂
I just finished watching all your videos, it took me 3 days and I watched almost all (around 85% of them). Phew! They are great, you are a wonderful teacher, love your voice, way of explaining, everything!
Great tips! The funnel strategy is great. I can’t tell you how man times I’ve poured a drink and see the cubes or garnish shift as I bring it over to my prop area!
Having worked in Food N Beverage industry my whole life, I am now using that experience to educate, but also take my once side gig of photo/video-graphy to top levels, haha. Yaa So what Dave, HAHAHA I know, But Hint: you salt on the ice, it acts like a subtle glue that makes the ices sorta all stick together. Cooks do it with there ice bins, it helps keep it together and supposedly slow the melting down, although I didnt really see the melting effect that much, but Im not watching ice melt, haha. So yeah sprinkle a good top coat of salt, table salt, and see how it helps, experiment with amounts and stuff. Hope it helps. PEACE
If you don't have fresh garnish, pop some of the prepackaged ones in a glass with a bit of water for an hour. That's usually enough time to perk them back up! If they're 'closed', gently run them under water to open them before sticking them in the glass. :)
One thing you might run into when using an interesting glassware is the owner of the venue might not want you to use them because they don't normally serve their drinks in them. So be sure to clear it first with a decision maker. The worst case of this that ever happened to me is a restaurant wanted me to photograph their special beverage in a foam take-out cup "Because that's what our customers receive." When I showed the examples on my cell phone how McDonalds, Arby's, Burger King, etc. use real glasses for their advertising photographs, not paper or foam cups they changed their minds. Also, you might want the venue to have their supplier send over some brand new glassware of the kind they normally use in their food and beverage service. Otherwise, you might find yourself trying to clean used, faded, scratched, stained glassware. And as you know, every blemish and imperfection is going to be glowingly obvious under the gaze of a macro lens. The same applies for dishes, too. Terry Thomas... the photographer Atlanta, Georgia USA
Hi Joanie Its Friday Down Under also known as POETS DAY, which means Pee Off Early Tomorrows Saturday, which means I'll be taking your advice to go out and judiciously study at close quarters the offerings at my local. Another great video thank you.
Bonus ice tips: Commercial photogs recommends Trengove Studios acrylic ice. each cube one of a kind and clear. Pricey tho. Another option for crystal clear ice is to freeze a larger bit of water in a cooler. Don't need to freeze it all, First half of freeze clear. pour off rest and cut to shape with serrated knife.
The Sonoran Desert is a glorious place to grow plants! Up here in Flagstaff we are actually jealous of that year round growing season! Oh, and this is one of the few times I busted out the notebook to write down the tips in a video...thank you SO much! Skal!
Hello Joanie, came across your channel a few hours ago and just stuck :D Binge watching your videos is fun, being a person who loves photography, food and drinks. You are awesome! Really like your personality and your tips and tricks! Beverage photography are one of the most difficult and challenging topics in product photography. Glassware, controlling the light and the reflections, making the drink and the whole scene look good and desirable. Sometimes there are bottles involved, or even some flowing drinks like beer. Foam, melting ice and things like that are challenging as well. This could be a really, really complicated thing, especially if you want to do a composition. Your video is great, just makes you want to mix a nice cocktail and make a photo of it! Here are some other tips: 1. Learn to control your light & reflections: try out different "types" of light, directions of light, soft boxes / reflectors etc, experiment with some rotating polarisers for your lights. 2. Look at the scene from the camera perspective, get yourself comfortable, sit down. 3. Use a syringe to get rid of a liquid, e.g. if your ice melted too much. An electric pump is also a good thing to have. 4. Shoot things separately, trying to get them as good as you can step by step: the vessel without the drink and later on with the drink, then with some extra foam on top etc. When you're done, put everything together in photoshop. 5. Try to keep your camera as steady as you can: E.g. control it with some software. 6. Invest in a good camera stand (see 5.). 7. Think about some clever and fast way to control your lights (app / software), get some help to speed up the process. 8. Invest in some good tools (brushes etc) and keep them well organised. Extra tip: Use compressed air to get rid of dust.
Wow, you were not joking. That condensation trick really is next level. Amazing. Question - is it possible to spray without the matt paint ? Will the glyc/water mix not hold and just run down ?
I recently agreed to do a shoot for a drink brand and was searching online if you had any videos related to the same! So this couldn't have come at a better time ❤️
We love you so much Joanie! Your photographs are perfection, and you inspire us daily. Those glasses are gorgeous btw! We bet you could photography some beautiful desserts in those as well, like a tiramisu or trifle?!?
When I was shooting motion pictures (shows you how old I am) we used two types of dulling spray. A permanent type and a non permanent type which could be removed with a cloth. We also used the permanent dulling spray to spray glossy photography prints to make them look a bit Matte... I don't remember who made the non-permanent dulling spray...
Thank you so much, Joanie! I absolutely love your videos! I have learned a lot and you have inspired me to want to do so much. I can't wait to start shooting my own setups. 😊
Man, I think Ima quit my day job. I wanna do this. Any tips on how I can land my first paid job as a food photographer? Thanks for this video, it's awesooooome.
current project is a beer shoot (husband is loving this one). any tips for manipulating the foam without deflating it? the other thing i'm running into is having to increase the shutter speed by a LOT to try and capture the bubbles, but i'm losing too much light in the process and having to bump the aperture way down and ISO way up. any suggestions or is this par for the course with natural lighting?
You are awesome! Thanks for sharing all your knowledge. I’m so glad I found your channel. I love all your videos, your aesthetic in general and the way you teach. Thanks for so valuable info. 🙌🏽
I just love your style of shooting and content creation. I have just seen 2 videos (this being the second video), first one was DIY background, and I really feel that you are brilliant. Could you tell me how can I get in touch with you in order to get your opinion of my work? P.S -- I got inspired by your style of work and tried some shots. I really need to show them to you and get your opinion.
Is the matte spray required to help the glycerin mixture bead and stick properly to the glass? I have both, but would love to avoid spray painting my glasses if possible!
Hi, I just purchase a used 4 head socket soft box that I would like to use as a key light! Would four 40watts 400 Lumens led bulbs be adequate enough for videos & Photo products shooting?
Just got to minute five. For anyone reading this you don't need any tech for clear ice. Look up cocktail chemistry channel - he has a video for it. For clear ice you don't even need to boil it. You put it in something at least a few inches big so the impurities float to the top and you cut what you need out and smooth it with warm water.
I love your videos so much! I am officially obsessed with food photography! Yesterday there was a tray of food and I was thinking of angles to shoot it at. 😂 Could you do a q and a soon I have some questions. Lol
My biggest struggle when shooting drinks seems to be focus. Is it better to focus on the front lip of the glass/cup? Or try to focus on the surface of the drink itself? Maybe I just need a smaller aperture? IDK, they just never quite turn out how I envision in my head. Any suggestions?
Water that freezes from a single direction gives perfectly clear ice. By the way, most people don't see these in the drink so they ask for more ice. :-) I have a lot of info on how to do this if you want more info as I make a lot of clear ice for different drinks.
Scott Detweiler I apologize if this is a dumb question but, after reading all of the suggestions about getting clear ice, I’m wondering, if you’re trying so hard for a clear ice, why not just use the acrylic ice cubes?
I am new to this but have not found the answer yet. Do you use real alcohol for the images? Or does water and food coloring work too? Hope someone can answer! Thank you!
When you use the matte clear spray on the glass, the glass will keep painted forever or you need paint all the time you want make a new click ? Is this a paint ? Can you reutilize the glass again just washing it ?
You're adorable. I'm wondering if you have real ice in the glass, how does the real condensation react with the simulated condensation? I feel a good condensation is mandatory though. :)
I know you’re making a video about it, but can you tell me what polarizing filter you use? I work for a company called Studio XMI and we take a lot of shots with white background set-ups and that creates a lot of glare on the products so we’re urgently looking for a solution, thank you.
Bartender here... tip for the garnishes. You can shock them (what we do every shift before service). Take your basil or mint, and lightly submerge your bunch into a pitcher or cup of ice water. Let it sit for a couple minutes in the ice bath and then remove and gently shake off the water. This keeps your herbs bright and rigid for hours.
Awesome tip!
Another bartender here, using a propper polishing cloth can really maye your glassware look crisp and pristine. Im a personal fan of the Riedel Polishing cloth: www.amazon.com/dp/B000F2SRFS/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_awdb_joC8Eb42G2WW7
Yes, this works beautifully, thank you!
Estou assistindo em 2022 quem mais?
I've been in the alcohol beverage industry for years, during that time I have been a part of several demonstrations and conversations regarding cocktail photography, I have to say this is the BEST tutorial I have yet to see on cocktail photography. Thank you for explaining things in such a clear and concise manner, I look forward to giving your tips and tricks a try! 🙂
That funnel is genius! Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge with us, Joanie!
Even if I were not interested in food Photography I could watch your vids for hours 😘
I dont know what to say. You were amazing. Thankyou for making this video and sharing your knowledge
I just finished watching all your videos, it took me 3 days and I watched almost all (around 85% of them). Phew! They are great, you are a wonderful teacher, love your voice, way of explaining, everything!
Oh wow! That's a lot of video!! LOL!!!
the best tips I ever had, love how the way you explain it, it's amazing, and thank you so much ❤❤❤
That drink looks so refreshing. Thanks for the tips.
She's good at explaining things and she's extremely beautiful just like the way she talks so sweetly.
Great tips! The funnel strategy is great. I can’t tell you how man times I’ve poured a drink and see the cubes or garnish shift as I bring it over to my prop area!
Having worked in Food N Beverage industry my whole life, I am now using that experience to educate, but also take my once side gig of photo/video-graphy to top levels, haha. Yaa So what Dave, HAHAHA I know,
But Hint: you salt on the ice, it acts like a subtle glue that makes the ices sorta all stick together. Cooks do it with there ice bins, it helps keep it together and supposedly slow the melting down, although I didnt really see the melting effect that much, but Im not watching ice melt, haha. So yeah sprinkle a good top coat of salt, table salt, and see how it helps, experiment with amounts and stuff. Hope it helps. PEACE
If you don't have fresh garnish, pop some of the prepackaged ones in a glass with a bit of water for an hour. That's usually enough time to perk them back up! If they're 'closed', gently run them under water to open them before sticking them in the glass. :)
Great tip!!
One thing you might run into when using an interesting glassware is the owner of the venue might not want you to use them because they don't normally serve their drinks in them. So be sure to clear it first with a decision maker.
The worst case of this that ever happened to me is a restaurant wanted me to photograph their special beverage in a foam take-out cup "Because that's what our customers receive." When I showed the examples on my cell phone how McDonalds, Arby's, Burger King, etc. use real glasses for their advertising photographs, not paper or foam cups they changed their minds.
Also, you might want the venue to have their supplier send over some brand new glassware of the kind they normally use in their food and beverage service. Otherwise, you might find yourself trying to clean used, faded, scratched, stained glassware. And as you know, every blemish and imperfection is going to be glowingly obvious under the gaze of a macro lens. The same applies for dishes, too.
Terry Thomas...
the photographer
Atlanta, Georgia USA
Great point!
Hi Joanie Its Friday Down Under also known as POETS DAY, which means Pee Off Early Tomorrows Saturday, which means I'll be taking your advice to go out and judiciously study at close quarters the offerings at my local. Another great video thank you.
Thank you so much for all of your videos, you are a great teacher. I started a food/cocktail blog a few months ago and I learn so much from you.
Bonus ice tips: Commercial photogs recommends Trengove Studios acrylic ice. each cube one of a kind and clear. Pricey tho. Another option for crystal clear ice is to freeze a larger bit of water in a cooler. Don't need to freeze it all, First half of freeze clear. pour off rest and cut to shape with serrated knife.
Oooh, I like it! Yeah, I've seen those $30 a cube ones...I don't do enough drink work to justify, but perhaps some day! Thanks for the tips!
The Sonoran Desert is a glorious place to grow plants! Up here in Flagstaff we are actually jealous of that year round growing season! Oh, and this is one of the few times I busted out the notebook to write down the tips in a video...thank you SO much! Skal!
Cocktail chemistry is my favorite UA-camr to study for drinks! He does one on making clear ice!
Nice! I'll have to check it out!
Here is the link: ua-cam.com/video/bUHcCHbgX_o/v-deo.html
Won a new fan from Brazil. Thanks!
Another great video. I made a list of a few things to add to my styling kit specifically for beverages.
Hello Joanie,
came across your channel a few hours ago and just stuck :D Binge watching your videos is fun, being a person who loves photography, food and drinks. You are awesome! Really like your personality and your tips and tricks!
Beverage photography are one of the most difficult and challenging topics in product photography. Glassware, controlling the light and the reflections, making the drink and the whole scene look good and desirable. Sometimes there are bottles involved, or even some flowing drinks like beer. Foam, melting ice and things like that are challenging as well. This could be a really, really complicated thing, especially if you want to do a composition. Your video is great, just makes you want to mix a nice cocktail and make a photo of it!
Here are some other tips:
1. Learn to control your light & reflections: try out different "types" of light, directions of light, soft boxes / reflectors etc, experiment with some rotating polarisers for your lights.
2. Look at the scene from the camera perspective, get yourself comfortable, sit down.
3. Use a syringe to get rid of a liquid, e.g. if your ice melted too much. An electric pump is also a good thing to have.
4. Shoot things separately, trying to get them as good as you can step by step: the vessel without the drink and later on with the drink, then with some extra foam on top etc. When you're done, put everything together in photoshop.
5. Try to keep your camera as steady as you can: E.g. control it with some software.
6. Invest in a good camera stand (see 5.).
7. Think about some clever and fast way to control your lights (app / software), get some help to speed up the process.
8. Invest in some good tools (brushes etc) and keep them well organised.
Extra tip: Use compressed air to get rid of dust.
Thank you! Your videos are so helpful
Everything I know about foodphotography, learnt from you! 😁
Yes! I've been waiting for this vid since you teased it, since all I do is cocktail and drink photography. Can't wait to put these tips into action
Wow, you were not joking. That condensation trick really is next level. Amazing.
Question - is it possible to spray without the matt paint ? Will the glyc/water mix not hold and just run down ?
I recently agreed to do a shoot for a drink brand and was searching online if you had any videos related to the same! So this couldn't have come at a better time ❤️
Best wishes on the shoot!
The Bite Shot hehe Thank you so much ❤️😍
Do you have a video on how to shoot drinks in restauraunts or bars?
All I can say is...AMAZING!!! love your videos you are the best teacher ever.
Thanks joanie you always save us 👋
Really nice video Joanie !!! I love it as usual
Another great video Joanie, thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with us!!!
All of these tips rock BUT that funnel tip is friggin awesome.
Brilliant ! Thank you for sharing
We love you so much Joanie! Your photographs are perfection, and you inspire us daily. Those glasses are gorgeous btw! We bet you could photography some beautiful desserts in those as well, like a tiramisu or trifle?!?
Loved the video! Can you make a video about photographing hot drinks? Thanks!
These videos are so helpful. Thank you!
This video is so helpful!!! Thank you, Joanie!!!
Could you please give tips about hot drinks, specifically coffee :)
Great video. Super useful tips
I love your tips. I'll try it for sure!!
Fantastic tips, Joanie you rock!!
Such great tips, Jonie. Thank you!
You're just an awesome person, Joanie :) we can so tell!
Just found your channel and have been binge watching your vids for the past 3 days. Thank you for sharing and being such an awesome inspiration!
When I was shooting motion pictures (shows you how old I am) we used two types of dulling spray. A permanent type and a non permanent type which could be removed with a cloth. We also used the permanent dulling spray to spray glossy photography prints to make them look a bit Matte... I don't remember who made the non-permanent dulling spray...
Nice! If ya come across the non-permanent, give me a holler! Would love to share with the people at home
I wish I watched this video before I posted my insta shoot 😩 thank u will keep all these fantastic details for next time
Anither great video, Joanie! Thank you!
Loooooooooooove!! This video is a life changer!
Thanks a lot! Now I will investigate excellent drinks... 🍻😍
Do you think if you spray the matte onto the fake ice cubes they may look more real? Like less perfectly clear and fake-ish?
Thank you so much, Joanie! I absolutely love your videos! I have learned a lot and you have inspired me to want to do so much. I can't wait to start shooting my own setups. 😊
After the Matte varnish is sprayed on, are you able to wash it off or is that glass permanently a prop?
Great videos! I would love to see your work space/studio, and how you make it adaptable for each type of setting! -John Dyson
Hello Joanie..... love your videos! Very helpful
A funnel...duh! Now why didn't I think of that? Oh...because I'm not Joanie Simon. ;) Great info! And Ryan is hilarious, as usual.
Thanks! The video is awesome :)
Such a great video, your tips are amazing.
nice ones.... most of them are kinda obvious... but still nice to have them grouped... the nicest one is #7 - shenanigans :D
I love shenanigans!
Uhh, I love Pinterest! What is your Pinterest? I would love to see your boards!
Man, I think Ima quit my day job. I wanna do this. Any tips on how I can land my first paid job as a food photographer? Thanks for this video, it's awesooooome.
current project is a beer shoot (husband is loving this one). any tips for manipulating the foam without deflating it? the other thing i'm running into is having to increase the shutter speed by a LOT to try and capture the bubbles, but i'm losing too much light in the process and having to bump the aperture way down and ISO way up. any suggestions or is this par for the course with natural lighting?
BEST TEACHER EVER I LOVE YOU
Thank you so much for this amazing video!
Good tips thanks...love your videos
_Very helpful tutorial_
What about hot drinks? Do you have a video about shooting hot drinks?
Instead of using mat spray, I have cheap deodorant (with talc), it works also fine with glicerine andits easier to clean. thx for tips.
Wow, your videos are always so informative! I love your tutorials
Wow what a nice technique!!!!
I love your channel. Great tips by the way. 😊☺💕❤
You are such an inspiration!
Very interesting as always your videos
Great tips - looking forward to your polarizer video!
You are awesome! Thanks for sharing all your knowledge. I’m so glad I found your channel. I love all your videos, your aesthetic in general and the way you teach. Thanks for so valuable info. 🙌🏽
I just love your style of shooting and content creation. I have just seen 2 videos (this being the second video), first one was DIY background, and I really feel that you are brilliant. Could you tell me how can I get in touch with you in order to get your opinion of my work?
P.S -- I got inspired by your style of work and tried some shots. I really need to show them to you and get your opinion.
Is the matte spray required to help the glycerin mixture bead and stick properly to the glass? I have both, but would love to avoid spray painting my glasses if possible!
Hi, I just purchase a used 4 head socket soft box that I would like to use as a key light!
Would four 40watts 400 Lumens led bulbs be adequate enough for videos & Photo products shooting?
Thanks Joanie you makes everything interesting and very helpful ❤️
Thank you for these tips. Just in time for me.
can I follow your board on Pinterest? how do I find you? Lov your tips
Just got to minute five. For anyone reading this you don't need any tech for clear ice. Look up cocktail chemistry channel - he has a video for it. For clear ice you don't even need to boil it. You put it in something at least a few inches big so the impurities float to the top and you cut what you need out and smooth it with warm water.
Thanks so much!! I also linked a video from the Tipsy Bartender with this technique. I def learned something new through this. Y’all rock ❤️
The explanation is so good
I love your videos so much! I am officially obsessed with food photography! Yesterday there was a tray of food and I was thinking of angles to shoot it at. 😂 Could you do a q and a soon I have some questions. Lol
I'll be live in the Facebook group at 12:30PM PST today if you have some general Q&A
Thank you for this great video
My biggest struggle when shooting drinks seems to be focus. Is it better to focus on the front lip of the glass/cup? Or try to focus on the surface of the drink itself? Maybe I just need a smaller aperture? IDK, they just never quite turn out how I envision in my head. Any suggestions?
Water that freezes from a single direction gives perfectly clear ice. By the way, most people don't see these in the drink so they ask for more ice. :-) I have a lot of info on how to do this if you want more info as I make a lot of clear ice for different drinks.
Absolutely I'd love more info...ice is not my area of expertise (which is probably obvious from the video).
Scott Detweiler I apologize if this is a dumb question but, after reading all of the suggestions about getting clear ice, I’m wondering, if you’re trying so hard for a clear ice, why not just use the acrylic ice cubes?
Please publish a book called "Next Level Shenanigans".
These videos are so helpful. 🎉
I am new to this but have not found the answer yet. Do you use real alcohol for the images? Or does water and food coloring work too? Hope someone can answer! Thank you!
Thank you so much For this Video!!
When you use the matte clear spray
on the glass, the glass will keep painted forever or you need paint all the time you want make a new click ? Is this a paint ? Can you reutilize the glass again just washing it ?
Yes 😍😍😍 was waiting for this video. Good job ✌✌
17 mins vidoe from Joanie? merry christmas
You crack me up :)
Amazing tutorial but you haven't mentioned that you're advertising anywhere. Not cool. But will still subscribe. The glycerin idea is a killer.
Average Chap what? That was the first thing she mentioned.
wagon-talk, i didn't know, but i am happy for you :).
Thanks so much
Nice video. Are there any alternatives to latex gloves and the spray you used before the glycerine-water mix?
You could also just use regular cloth gloves. And for the spray, lots of folks use Scotch Guard or freeze spray instead
The Bite Shot thank you for information on alternatives.
Can we use pure glycerine instead of vegetable one?
Is it okay to use these herbs even if they arent in the drink?
You're adorable. I'm wondering if you have real ice in the glass, how does the real condensation react with the simulated condensation? I feel a good condensation is mandatory though. :)
I know you’re making a video about it, but can you tell me what polarizing filter you use? I work for a company called Studio XMI and we take a lot of shots with white background set-ups and that creates a lot of glare on the products so we’re urgently looking for a solution, thank you.
The video about polarizing filters comes out tomorrow
What lens did u use ?