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How to Photograph Wine Bottles

Wine bottle photography can serve both artistic and commercial purposes, as winery and vineyard owners desire effective ways to promote their principal product. The key to photographing a wine bottle is to keep the label in focus--since the label is the identity of the product--while minimizing glare off the glass and presenting an interesting composition. Useful techniques include lighting, camera angles, using props to accentuate the character or nationality of the wine, and using computer imaging software to adjust the image.

Things You'll Need

Camera
Wine Bottles
Lights
Tripod
Props
Reflectors
Table
Digital Imaging Software

Instructions

- 1
  Use natural light or a separate electronic lighting system synced to the camera, rather than relying on the camera's flash. This gives you greater control over the direction of the lighting and reduces flash glare off the wine bottles.
- 2
  Shoot outdoors for a natural look, whenever possible. A high-tech look may be good for electronic products, but wine is an organic commodity that evokes thoughts of nature and the earth.
- 3
  Experiment with different camera angles and compositions that highlight select areas of the subject.
- 4
  Watch out for camera reflection on the glass bottle. Nothing screams amateur like the reflection of the camera and photographer off the subject.
- 5
  Use props in the composition. Wine glasses, fruit, bread and cheese, an assortment of bottle corks strategically piled near the bottle--all are useful props for setting the scene.
- 6
  Shoot in close. Fill the frame with the subject so the eye is not distracted by superfluous background information. A rustic setting or soft-focus background of a vineyard is fine.
- 7
  Consider highlighting the subject by using reflectors to bounce light, create shadows and add drama to the setting.
- 8
  Use digital imaging software to color-correct photos, crop and resize images, adjust contrast and even erase mistakes.

Photography