A couple of people keep coming up with the same comment so here's an explanation: - There were no constant lights used for the actual photos. All studio 'flash' lights have what is called a 'modelling lamp' that is on all the time to let you see what you are doing and the effect of the light. Based on the camera settings these lights have no effect on the picture. When you push the camera button the flashes fire and that's what makes the picture. You may not see the flash every time in the video because the video frame rate doesn't always pick it up. But you can hear the flash go off every time. Cheers Karl.
I guess I was (yet another) person with the same comment that prompted your response. Now I'm confused by your response. I don't understand. I don't understand at all. "You may not see the flash every time in the video because the video frame rate doesn't always pick it up". Actually I do see the flash fire every time, and I'm confused that you're using a flash, when you've got all of those lights set up.
stegokitty The burst of flash comes out of all of those lights that are set up. All of those lights that are set up also have a continuous light source so you can see what you are doing and figure out what your flash is going to look like. We don't use the continuous light (they are called modelling lights) as they are not as clean, pure or as powerful as the burst of light from the flash that makes the picture. The continuous light has no effect on the picture, based on the camera setting the continuous light doesn't even show up in the picture only the flash light is recorded to make the picture.
***** Okay,so are you saying that all of the lights you set up are synched to the camera, so that they put out an extra burst of light when the shutter release is activated, and then go back to their normal state?
That Hasselblad is just the "=" button of a calculator when you do a calculation, which in this case is planning, organizing and being patient and above all enjoying the process. Thank you very much for sharing.
The best explanation of product photography on RUclips. I am an old Art Center College of Design grad and used to shoot this stuff with 4x5 and film. Just one tip always use Dustoff before shooting on a black surface.
I've been taking photos of bottles for over 10 years (and getting better each year I hope!) but I still enjoy watching videos like this. I first saw this one years ago and it was one that helped me learn. What I love about this one in particular is the aim to do as much as possible in camera with a single shot rather than taking 50 different pics and comping them all. There's a time and place for some comping of course - product photography is about the final image not just the process - but too many photographers take too many photos and that tends to end up with a fake looking pic, not to mention the extra time. Nothing beats the satisfaction and the 'natural' look of a well-thought out and well-lit (almost) single shot! Nice one Karl.
I swear. This just changed my LIFE! Did a shoot for a wine company and i struggled so much. Next time will be so much easier. I never thought to use something like tracing paper to further diffuse my soft boxes. I feel so dumb but i've learnt SO much! Amazing.
Great glad it helped. If you want to get to the top of your game then check out our more in-depth pro courses on our website. Although these are paid courses they have tips well beyond this free sample and they include our customer training support service, so if you need help we are there.
Update to my last post. I've spent another 12 hours dialing in this shot. I absolutely nailed it. Beautiful. I added a blue filter for the horizon and wow the picture just jumps out! It's clear to me now that knowing how to set up for this shot and actually having the knowledge to produce the image are two completely different things. I couldn't figure out how you got the neck light so I used my own method and comped it in separate from the wrapper. Thank again Karl, you're a great teacher and I appreciate your sharing it!
This is the most comprehensive breakdown of studio lighting i've come across on YT. The cover picture of the final shot caught my eye right away as I was browsing similar topics... I'm glad I clicked the video. I don't know how it has 29 dislikes... probably from other jealous photographers :P
What I appreciate about your work Karl is how detail oriented your are with your photography. How methodical and calculated you are in composition. I'm trying to train myself to be more patient and thoughtful in my composition and photography. Thank you for sharing this. Blessings.
This is, as all Kar's stuff is, fantastic. People complaining about this and that - maybe come back when you are able to understand a few things more clearly. AND that is not at all a knock. This stuff takes time to grasp. I know in modern society everyone wants everything done yesterday, including learning photography and the high end post processing. Take your time and you will get there!! GREAT JOB KARL!
Lots of videos I do watch. This is the second or third time for this one. Repetition is a good thing when doing good things and watching good things, and this video has been and is a good thing. I usually re-watch to allow Myself to assimilate that of which I did not recognize as important until I learned something previously by attempting to implementing some said suggested practice. A simple note to all is that My Daughter and I, both loving the learning of photography, are using the tools We have to and in whatever way that We can and that is necessary. Today it is a sub-hundred dollar flash and a light stand that is questionably stable as used in practice. What We both know is that the goal is a tomorrow four or five years down the road. Using what We now have to the maximum, with the guidance of those such as Karl Taylor, will make the "tomorrow's" equipment more valuable than any price paid. Photography, like being an Industrial Maintenance Mechanic, is based heavily in physics and the scientific process though it is more than never called a science. However, in practice, photography and Industrial Maintenance (as well as some other jobs) are totally always dependent on science.
Like the tip about those little reflectors behind glass object. The idea is simple but I guess saves problems with reflections in the bottle which act as lens to
Karl , I think I've found the best tutorials on youtube about photography, thank you very much for sharing with passion and humility your knowledge , it is very difficult to find something like this for free , when I have money I will inscribe one of your workshops , greetings from Mexico .
Many thanks Karl for giving me the link to this video. Good to see that reflector cards are still in regular use. You say "This isn't magic, you know. This is basically physics, science, mixed with a bit of art". How very wise and true that is.
Excellent tutorial video. I was looking to do the same for a product, but in video instead of photography. You kept me here for 16 min. You Sr. are a truly professional!
A beautiful combination of artistic sensibility,imagination, and technical expertise. Really impressive. I am only an amateur who shoots outside above the ocean, normally at night or in storms. But recently, I tried to shoot some tall flowers in a tall, clear glass vase. Hard to do in a darkened space.
I was going to say you can just improvise and swap it out for what you have, for instance using a pringle tuble with both ends off on a torch will create a good snood like for focusing then just using lamps and tracing paper and black perspex is cheap!! i loved the tutorial Karl thankyou
Wow this is an awesome tutorial. I would have never thought of using techniques like putting cardboard behind the bottle and shining a light on the backdrop. Well done...
Very nicely done. When I was filming some instructional videos for a blacksmith, he asked if I could take some still pictures of his work to be entered for a publication. One item was a Damascus knife. I dabble in photography and said I would try. A Damascus knife is mirror like with lots of mirror swirls in the steel. It took 2 hours of moving my amateur equipment around and holding a bounce card to get the right shot. Point is, you can have all the expensive equipment you want, but in 15 minutes a pro like you can show you how to use it.
+ Karl Taylor this is an awesome setup, we tried it last year making a Christmas card which had a snow globe in it and we used it to light the snow globe and composite it back into the main picture. (of course we use white acrylic, silver card reflectors instead of gold and put a blue-ish tint on them as well for a colder look), the employees loved those cards!
I have watched many tutorials with product photography, but this one is the best so far! so much inside/detail information! keep on doing that Karl! p.s. the whisky is awesome!
great tutorial and flawless execution! Every one of your videos I have watched has taught me something... ladies and gentlemen take notes, Karl Taylor is pulling the curtain waaay back for you to see the secrets of the industry...
In fact you're right Karl. I have your pro series 'product and still life photography training DVDs' and i can say that this video is indeed a tiny fraction of what your quality videos are about. Great Work Karl. Thank You
Thank you for the great incite. Its the little touches that you show that most people would over look when trying to create a shot like this that make this tutorial great. I will definitely be getting your series.
Omg Im so happy I came across your Channel unlike a lot of youtubers you have been able to keep my attention for longer than a 1 minute attention span lol. Your videos are very detailed and it gives me a hands on classroom feel to your work.
Thanks for taking the time to make such an amazingly detailed video. You can learn a lot about the properties of light even if you aren't interested in photography.
Excellent tutorial. One day I have to join your course. I fully AGREE with that you/your work is an inspiration to even an amateur photographer like me.
Fantastic video, amazing this content is available to anyone. As someone who often shoots whisky bottles (poorly), I may need to adopt this setup! Thanks again for putting this out and especially for showing the differences live as the lights were moved / removed / etc
WOW Karl, it was AWESOME to watch this video. You're a great teacher with lots of patients in you and your girl assistant .Goood job by the person who has covered this video.This is an excellent tutorial :) Keep it up guys:) I wish to see you all in an another good tutorial :)
Thanks for the sharing, this is outstanding, I liked the way you used to take all the setup off to demonstrate us how things work, I've really appreciated that! Greetings from France
WOW! This is awesome! I would have never guessed the setup looked like that. Very impressive sir. I need to watch more of your videos. You are very inspiring and take the time to show things nicely!
Enjoyed this Karl thank you I think the main thing that I take away from this tutorial is the importance of using what light I have to sculpt my products. Loved it. Kind Regards.
This is awesome advice ! Ithought I knew what you were up to until you revealed those two tiny cut-out golden reflectors behind the bottle and the tumbler. Makes such a difference. Good job, and a lot of inspiration,Thanks, mate.
pretty awesome! Although im not really a photographer, im more of a retoucher i still enjoy watching photoshoots. Sometimes they help me with lighting issues or how to address them. good job karl!
Extraordinay results, i will try to achieve the nearest result posible with my humble equipment, your videos really challenge me to keep learning and trying. Thanks a lot!
This was by far the most informative and professional Video about product photography I have seen on youtube today. Great work, and I think I am thirsty now ;)
I loved this tutorial. It was very informative, concise and right on it. If you have very little knowledge about photography, especially lighting, This tut. could get intimidating. Great clear video.
Cool, then please buy them from our website. As I mentioned in this video this is only a tiny fraction of information compared to what you get when you become a customer! :)
Karl, got to hand it to you mate this is absolutely fantastic. One of the few guys on youtube willing to put his money where his mouth is. Tempted to sign up to learn things like this, these sort of areas are hard to get into and I am wowed by this final image, I've also subscribed. Thank you.
Thank you for the video, very instructive and professional, beautiful photo effect, I just discovering the beauty in photography, greetings from Lima - Peru !
I love those reflectors behind the liquid. Took a studio photography class in high school and there was always something new to learn with photographing glass. Very helpful video :)
![Felix "Unfair" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oswujxm2Ag0/mqdefault.jpg)
Years later and this is still one of the greatest product photography tutorials ever.
Agreed! And featuring one of my favorite products, The Balvenie Doublewood.
Agreed 💯
Indeed!
I'll drink to that!
A couple of people keep coming up with the same comment so here's an explanation: - There were no constant lights used for the actual photos. All studio 'flash' lights have what is called a 'modelling lamp' that is on all the time to let you see what you are doing and the effect of the light. Based on the camera settings these lights have no effect on the picture. When you push the camera button the flashes fire and that's what makes the picture. You may not see the flash every time in the video because the video frame rate doesn't always pick it up. But you can hear the flash go off every time. Cheers Karl.
I guess I was (yet another) person with the same comment that prompted your response. Now I'm confused by your response. I don't understand. I don't understand at all. "You may not see the flash every time in the video because the video frame rate doesn't always pick it up". Actually I do see the flash fire every time, and I'm confused that you're using a flash, when you've got all of those lights set up.
stegokitty The burst of flash comes out of all of those lights that are set up. All of those lights that are set up also have a continuous light source so you can see what you are doing and figure out what your flash is going to look like. We don't use the continuous light (they are called modelling lights) as they are not as clean, pure or as powerful as the burst of light from the flash that makes the picture. The continuous light has no effect on the picture, based on the camera setting the continuous light doesn't even show up in the picture only the flash light is recorded to make the picture.
***** Okay,so are you saying that all of the lights you set up are synched to the camera, so that they put out an extra burst of light when the shutter release is activated, and then go back to their normal state?
stegokitty Yes you got it!
+Karl Taylor Please!!! Where can I find the black plexiglass/perspex? I can't seem too find it anywhere at all I live in USA thanks!!!
Hidden reflective gold cards ! Genius idea !
Anyone know the easiest place to source these?
Try craft/art supply stores. US, Michaels & such.
This type pf informative videos can be rarely found on youtube
Thank you
That Hasselblad is just the "=" button of a calculator when you do a calculation, which in this case is planning, organizing and being patient and above all enjoying the process. Thank you very much for sharing.
This is one of the most informative and helpful videos I've seen. No fancy lingo or jargon. Just a simple breakdown. Thank you.
The best explanation of product photography on RUclips. I am an old Art Center College of Design grad and used to shoot this stuff with 4x5 and film. Just one tip always use Dustoff before shooting on a black surface.
I've been taking photos of bottles for over 10 years (and getting better each year I hope!) but I still enjoy watching videos like this. I first saw this one years ago and it was one that helped me learn. What I love about this one in particular is the aim to do as much as possible in camera with a single shot rather than taking 50 different pics and comping them all. There's a time and place for some comping of course - product photography is about the final image not just the process - but too many photographers take too many photos and that tends to end up with a fake looking pic, not to mention the extra time. Nothing beats the satisfaction and the 'natural' look of a well-thought out and well-lit (almost) single shot! Nice one Karl.
I swear. This just changed my LIFE! Did a shoot for a wine company and i struggled so much. Next time will be so much easier. I never thought to use something like tracing paper to further diffuse my soft boxes. I feel so dumb but i've learnt SO much! Amazing.
Great glad it helped. If you want to get to the top of your game then check out our more in-depth pro courses on our website. Although these are paid courses they have tips well beyond this free sample and they include our customer training support service, so if you need help we are there.
how did you get a job shooting a wine bottle if you didnt know how to do it?
Update to my last post. I've spent another 12 hours dialing in this shot. I absolutely nailed it. Beautiful. I added a blue filter for the horizon and wow the picture just jumps out! It's clear to me now that knowing how to set up for this shot and actually having the knowledge to produce the image are two completely different things. I couldn't figure out how you got the neck light so I used my own method and comped it in separate from the wrapper. Thank again Karl, you're a great teacher and I appreciate your sharing it!
Great work. I didn't realize how much was involved in getting a shot like that.
Fantastic video! Tried it today with two flashes and umbrellas and paper in front for extra diffusion. Worked great.
This is the most comprehensive breakdown of studio lighting i've come across on YT. The cover picture of the final shot caught my eye right away as I was browsing similar topics... I'm glad I clicked the video. I don't know how it has 29 dislikes... probably from other jealous photographers :P
An excellent vid. If I was going into Photography as a career (or even thinking about it) I would sign up for his classes!
What I appreciate about your work Karl is how detail oriented your are with your photography. How methodical and calculated you are in composition. I'm trying to train myself to be more patient and thoughtful in my composition and photography. Thank you for sharing this. Blessings.
This is, as all Kar's stuff is, fantastic. People complaining about this and that - maybe come back when you are able to understand a few things more clearly. AND that is not at all a knock. This stuff takes time to grasp. I know in modern society everyone wants everything done yesterday, including learning photography and the high end post processing.
Take your time and you will get there!!
GREAT JOB KARL!
Lots of videos I do watch. This is the second or third time for this one. Repetition is a good thing when doing good things and watching good things, and this video has been and is a good thing. I usually re-watch to allow Myself to assimilate that of which I did not recognize as important until I learned something previously by attempting to implementing some said suggested practice.
A simple note to all is that My Daughter and I, both loving the learning of photography, are using the tools We have to and in whatever way that We can and that is necessary. Today it is a sub-hundred dollar flash and a light stand that is questionably stable as used in practice. What We both know is that the goal is a tomorrow four or five years down the road. Using what We now have to the maximum, with the guidance of those such as Karl Taylor, will make the "tomorrow's" equipment more valuable than any price paid. Photography, like being an Industrial Maintenance Mechanic, is based heavily in physics and the scientific process though it is more than never called a science. However, in practice, photography and Industrial Maintenance (as well as some other jobs) are totally always dependent on science.
I love learning from Karl, this series and these photographers are treasures
Every time when i watch your videos, i feel pretty much confident of achieving something very potential. Yes i mean it honestly ❤️❤️Thanks Karl
Karl Taylor = A strikingly amazing artist and tutor (since always)!
One of the best demonstration videos i've seen. Great job.
I m portrait photographer but new to product photography. I must say, your lighting is so professional. thanks for sharing
Your training must be awesome. This video is awesome. Appreciate it!
Like the tip about those little reflectors behind glass object. The idea is simple but I guess saves problems with reflections in the bottle which act as lens to
Karl , I think I've found the best tutorials on youtube about photography, thank you very much for sharing with passion and humility your knowledge , it is very difficult to find something like this for free , when I have money I will inscribe one of your workshops , greetings from Mexico .
Many thanks Karl for giving me the link to this video. Good to see that reflector cards are still in regular use.
You say "This isn't magic, you know. This is basically physics, science, mixed with a bit of art". How very wise and true that is.
Excellent tutorial video. I was looking to do the same for a product, but in video instead of photography. You kept me here for 16 min. You Sr. are a truly professional!
OMG you are a life saver. Stressing about a shoot I have been challenged with for a Whisky company. Many thanks
hi babe
best video on product photography and light I've seen on youtube
A beautiful combination of artistic sensibility,imagination, and technical expertise. Really impressive. I am only an amateur who shoots outside above the ocean, normally at night or in storms. But recently, I tried to shoot some tall flowers in a tall, clear glass vase. Hard to do in a darkened space.
This is like the pure science of creativity. Good stuff!
Karl- not sure if you know this or not, but there's a giant satellite dish in your studio.
Thanks to this short tutorial I was finally able to shoot my bottle of Hennessy Paradis with a spectacular result. I can't thank you enough.
I was going to say you can just improvise and swap it out for what you have, for instance using a pringle tuble with both ends off on a torch will create a good snood like for focusing then just using lamps and tracing paper and black perspex is cheap!! i loved the tutorial Karl thankyou
Wow this is an awesome tutorial. I would have never thought of using techniques like putting cardboard behind the bottle and shining a light on the backdrop. Well done...
Very nicely done. When I was filming some instructional videos for a blacksmith, he asked if I could take some still pictures of his work to be entered for a publication. One item was a Damascus knife. I dabble in photography and said I would try. A Damascus knife is mirror like with lots of mirror swirls in the steel. It took 2 hours of moving my amateur equipment around and holding a bounce card to get the right shot. Point is, you can have all the expensive equipment you want, but in 15 minutes a pro like you can show you how to use it.
+ Karl Taylor this is an awesome setup, we tried it last year making a Christmas card which had a snow globe in it and we used it to light the snow globe and composite it back into the main picture. (of course we use white acrylic, silver card reflectors instead of gold and put a blue-ish tint on them as well for a colder look), the employees loved those cards!
as a 3D modeler this is really helpful for lighting my renders! thank you.
I have watched many tutorials with product photography, but this one is the best so far! so much inside/detail information!
keep on doing that Karl!
p.s. the whisky is awesome!
great tutorial and flawless execution! Every one of your videos I have watched has taught me something... ladies and gentlemen take notes, Karl Taylor is pulling the curtain waaay back for you to see the secrets of the industry...
In fact you're right Karl. I have your pro series 'product and still life photography training DVDs' and i can say that this video is indeed a tiny fraction of what your quality videos are about.
Great Work Karl. Thank You
karl Taylo is the best teacher he say the true; congratulations
Thank you for the great incite. Its the little touches that you show that most people would over look when trying to create a shot like this that make this tutorial great. I will definitely be getting your series.
Hi Simon, appreciate your support! You can get black acrylic from most good sign making companies.
This video is wonderful, and the way you explain everything, man, it's just perfect. Thank you very much.
Omg Im so happy I came across your Channel unlike a lot of youtubers you have been able to keep my attention for longer than a 1 minute attention span lol. Your videos are very detailed and it gives me a hands on classroom feel to your work.
Who Shot Ya Photography Studios lol are you a biggie smalls fan? Or is that name a coincidence?
I really appreciate that you put so much work and effort in this tutorial just to show us how it's done right!
Super excellent step by step tutorial for product shots. I really impressed and appreciate your efforts.
Karl, you are the King. Well done!!
Balvenie, one of my favorite whiskys. Thanks a lot
Karl has totally won me over!
I really enjoyed this Karl, thanks for sharing.
I cannot believe I have not bumped into you yet!
p.s. It's David Gilliver here by the way. I just realised you would not have a clue from seeing that last comment...
Thanks Karl, got very pro tips. I shoot Alcohol few times, hopefully mine next shoot will be much better after watching this video.
A nice presentation with detail of light. Thanks Karl.
Thanks for taking the time to make such an amazingly detailed video. You can learn a lot about the properties of light even if you aren't interested in photography.
Excellent tutorial. One day I have to join your course. I fully AGREE with that you/your work is an inspiration to even an amateur photographer like me.
Thanks
Fantastic video, amazing this content is available to anyone. As someone who often shoots whisky bottles (poorly), I may need to adopt this setup!
Thanks again for putting this out and especially for showing the differences live as the lights were moved / removed / etc
Karl, that was great lighting creativity. Nice soft touch with the sketch paper and glass table. . Very interesting, thanks.
I really like the reflectors behind the glass and bottle..I took a shot like this before..I really wish I had that horizon light..that is awesome
karl, it was AWESOME to watch this. Well done the video and how you decompose all. Thanks.
Really Mesmerized. No words to say. You are great sir.
Thanks
Karl, you are amazing and such a nice guy sharing all this stuff with us. Thank you very much!
WOW Karl, it was AWESOME to watch this video. You're a great teacher with lots of patients in you and your girl assistant .Goood job by the person who has covered this video.This is an excellent tutorial :) Keep it up guys:) I wish to see you all in an another good tutorial :)
Hi Karl, just wanted to say thank you. Really great demonstration.
Thanks for the sharing, this is outstanding, I liked the way you used to take all the setup off to demonstrate us how things work, I've really appreciated that! Greetings from France
I agree great teacher, patient, and a great assistant. Very informative!
Some great content here and all steps shown without hiding anything!
WOW! This is awesome! I would have never guessed the setup looked like that. Very impressive sir. I need to watch more of your videos. You are very inspiring and take the time to show things nicely!
Enjoyed this Karl thank you I think the main thing that I take away from this tutorial is the importance of using what light I have to sculpt my products. Loved it.
Kind Regards.
This is awesome advice ! Ithought I knew what you were up to until you revealed those two tiny cut-out golden reflectors behind the bottle and the tumbler. Makes such a difference. Good job, and a lot of inspiration,Thanks, mate.
pretty awesome! Although im not really a photographer, im more of a retoucher i still enjoy watching photoshoots. Sometimes they help me with lighting issues or how to address them. good job karl!
Karl at his best. Very good liquer photography.
This type pf informative videos can be rarely found on RUclips
Very nice
I appreciate that
Karl - this video is FANTASTIC! BIG thank you!!! You Are The Best!
Extraordinay results, i will try to achieve the nearest result posible with my humble equipment, your videos really challenge me to keep learning and trying. Thanks a lot!
Too amazing! I need to try this out. Thanks.
It is like a magician is sharing his secrets.Thanks Karl..
Karl, you are inspiring
you are an excellent teacher, awesome as simple and complete explanation
Karl, great video and a simple and clear breakdown of how to achieve amazing results.
This was by far the most informative and professional Video about product photography I have seen on youtube today. Great work, and I think I am thirsty now ;)
very nice👍，If no one told us, we would never know how glasses and bottles glow, the techniques and ideas are amazing
Glad you liked it
Learned a lot from this, thanks Karl.
Brilliant mate. Superb lighting!
I loved this tutorial. It was very informative, concise and right on it. If you have very little knowledge about photography, especially lighting, This tut. could get intimidating. Great clear video.
ohhh...physics and art indeed....drool and just stunning!
Truly stunning final image !
Cool, then please buy them from our website. As I mentioned in this video this is only a tiny fraction of information compared to what you get when you become a customer! :)
Good science photography. There so much to understand in photography.
Thanks Kar.
Karl, got to hand it to you mate this is absolutely fantastic. One of the few guys on youtube willing to put his money where his mouth is. Tempted to sign up to learn things like this, these sort of areas are hard to get into and I am wowed by this final image, I've also subscribed. Thank you.
thank you really helpful for the product photographers, your lighting technique classes are amazing man
This has been so beneficial i can't tell you ! Brilliant brilliant work 👏
Glad it was helpful!
Awesome video, man! Never tried putting reflectors behind a bottle like that, I'll definitely be giving that a shot next time I set up. Thanks!
Am a big fan of you work. Thanks for sharing you knowledge. Even I wanna be in product photography. And I'm glad I found you videos. Thanks.
Thank you for the video, very instructive and professional, beautiful photo effect, I just discovering the beauty in photography, greetings from Lima - Peru !
Karl you are my hero, I really love how you do your videos and live how you talk! :)
Awesome!! Great teacher. This is good for a store, hobbyist, or contract work. Thanks.
I love those reflectors behind the liquid. Took a studio photography class in high school and there was always something new to learn with photographing glass. Very helpful video :)
Ohhh Man, fantástic work, congratulations !!! Very good
This was the best marketing ever! I'm sure going to check out your training after seeing this demo!
fantastic shot there Karl! Thanks!