Coke Can Lighting and Post Processing

[go_scottie]

Its amazing how many times you can take a photo and in your minds eye compose what the final processing will deliver. This certainly wasn’t my initial idea but I quite like it.

The setup for this shot was rather easy.Warhol Shot Setup

* Lens choice was my Canon 50mm f1.8 mkII.
* Tripod for stability during manual focus
* Vivitar 285 flash -1/16th power
* 2 White foam core boards for fill light
* Table with black fabric draped over it
* Clear plastic board under Coke can
* Coke can (obvious I guess)
* Remote trigger
* Spray bottle



Camera was set to Manual with an aperture of f3.2 and a shutter speed of 1/400sec. I set the lens to manual and aimed for the sharpest focus on the words “Uplifting Refreshment”.

White foam core boards were used to bounce some of the light back onto the can to define the sides of the can.

Flash was set at 1/16th power with a home made snoot and grid. Flash was hand held during the shoot for 2 reasons. The main reason being I don’t have a light stand, and the other being I was wanting to try a few different angles.

Tripod was set so that the camera was slightly looking down at the can.

Can was placed on a clear plastic board and sprayed with a fine water mist. This will give the Coke can to a cool and refreshing look.

For more details on the post processing and other setup images please visit my blog @ http://www.thephotojourney.com

Any questions please ask away.

[MarkChap]

Thats very well done Scottie,

I can taste the flavours now, Lime Coke, Creaming Soda Coke, Coke Coke and Lemonade Coke.

I am guessing from you post that the can was not cold, that water spray has worked a treat.

Off to the drink machine now

Very Well Done

[saratoga]

Terrific image Scott..even more so with all the shooting info you supplied.

thansk for the post!

[smorter]

I saw this photo and now really feel like a Coke

[MATT]

Looks very well done, there is a little light fall off at the bottom of the can.

I was wondering how the 1/400 and flash sync worked is that to fast ?

MATT

[NikonNellie]

Thank you Scottie for the great description and diagram of your setup. This is just what us newbie flashers need - good clear directions. Great shot by the way.

[go_scottie]

Truth is Nellie, I'm only a newbie flash man myself. I have just read and watched heaps of online tutorials.

Guess this shot shows it pays off.

Glad you like the instructions, I wrote them as I would like them.

[smorter]

I was wondering, for the same effect, why not just bounce the flash directly above the coke cans? You would get the same hot lighting on the top half of the cans and save a lot of the effort too!