With a growing number of drinkers sharing their drams on social media, whisky photography has exploded in popularity. Felipe Schrieberg shares insights from the industry’s top whisky photographers for those wanting to improve their snapping skills.
Photography has become an increasingly important visual medium for whisky, both for business and for fans of the water of life.
A quick search for #whisky on Instagram or Facebook reveals a vibrant world of both amateur and professional photography. Whether using the best lighting and cameras for sumptuous shots of whisky bottles, or sharing grainy phone snaps of the dram of the day, more people than ever are sharing whisky experiences through photography.
But how can a budding photographer get the best shots of bottles and glasses of whisky, whether to show off a beautiful collection or document a great dramming night out?
To answer that question, here’s some practical advice offered by some of the top whisky photographers on creating that perfect shot.
Focus on lighting
Soft profile: Experiment with lighting to find a bottle’s ‘quirk’ (Photo: Jo Hanley)
All of the photographers emphasise using natural or soft light, without overdoing it. Using light correctly can create (or kill) depth and bring out certain features, especially on glass surfaces.
Chris Lomas, who has worked on the Dalmore Constellation series and Macallan’s Lalique series, among others, advises taking your time and analysing your options before starting to shoot.
‘When lighting whisky, move around the set or location and look for the “sweet point” where the whisky looks its best,’ he suggests. ‘Avoid blanket flash/LED lighting, which flattens the subject. Take the time to shape the light in your photographs and make the whisky pop with silky highlights and lush shadows.’
Martin Botvidsson, who runs drinks photography tutorials on YouTube and has worked with Laphroaig, as well as Macallan owner Edrington, also has a good lighting preparation tip: ‘Sometimes, the tricky part is the label on the back blocking the light; I always recommend to remove the back-label before shooting.’
The main lighting challenge faced by whisky photographers is the reflection from the glass. Using soft lighting is the best way to reduce the problems that reflection can cause, but it also brings other considerations. Rob Lawson, who has worked extensively with many whisky brands such as Balvenie, Bulleit Bourbon and Monkey Shoulder, recommends experimenting with light.
‘You can make the light so soft that the bottle looks frosted rather than made of shiny glass; too hard and the reflection becomes a big, white highlight,’ he says. ‘Each bottle has its own quirk, so I need to light that correctly, rather than hide it.’
Botvidsson also has a useful and budget-friendly tip to create the softer light that works best for glassware photos. ‘Shiny stuff loves soft lighting,’ he explains. ‘If you’re on a budget, just get baking or parchment paper, tape it over your flash, and that might just do the trick.’ The more times you fold the baking paper before taping it on, the softer the light.
Colour and composition
Bold look: Vary backgrounds to make the whisky stand out (Photo: Chris Lomas)
If whisky is the subject, then its colour must shine in pictures. From the palest straw-yellow to the darkest Burgundy, this vivid palette cannot be properly recreated in post-production, according to Jo Hanley, whose portfolio includes Glenfiddich and Talisker. ‘Colour to me is one of the most important things,’ she says. ‘Every whisky has a very specific colour, so work hard to capture that.’
Lomas also recommends varying backgrounds in photos to emphasise colour. ‘Clients often request their whisky to be shot on a white background. But often this just makes the photography look like a dull pack-shot on Amazon. Shoot alternatives on dark backgrounds where the whisky can really sparkle.’
An easy trick that should also deliver some immediate results is to create a shallow depth of field by using a low aperture setting. This means putting the focus of the shot on the subject (the bottle, glass or both), while making the surrounding background blurry to drive the eye towards the subject.
Also, remember the ‘rule of thirds’, one of the most important composition guidelines in photography. This rule advises breaking down the frame into both horizontal and vertical ‘thirds’, creating a kind of tic-tac-toe board. The eye tends to be most attracted to objects placed on the lines and on their intersection points.
Practice makes perfect
Considered composition: Take time to frame your image before you begin shooting (Photo: Chris Lomas)
While some of the most popular whisky Instagram accounts get away with mobile phone pictures, investment in equipment is required to create the highest-quality photos. However, it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. If buying on a budget, photographers suggest purchasing decent lenses and lights, rather than the latest camera.
‘I would always invest in your lenses,’ says Hanley. ‘Buy the best of what you can afford at that point and don’t buy things you “might” need. You can do a lot with a good 50mm lens and a speed light [an external flash unit you can attach to your camera].’
Lawson agrees with using a 50mm lens to start, and adds: ‘Get a tripod and a cheap camera that can shoot in 35mm film (or a digital equivalent) with a fixed 50mm lens. Shoot with that for six months and you’ll get your style, work out how lighting works and what doesn’t, and it’ll set you up for life. You’ll then invest in what you need, rather than what you think you need.’
Eventually, you might want to consider upgrading or purchasing more equipment. Konrad Borkowski, who has done work for Glenmorangie and Diageo, has an impressive array of gear. ‘I often shoot with three or four cameras for speed, and to avoid changing lenses in often dusty and moist environments, and mostly two or three lights with different modifiers,’ he says.
All the photographers stress that ‘less is more’. Carefully consider a shot, rather than shooting many pictures haphazardly. It is better to get the lighting and camera settings right than to apply filters and over-the-top colour correction during editing.
Botvidsson believes in taking a relaxed, instinctive approach to finding that perfect shot. ‘When photographing whisky, take your time, don’t stress. Move your light around and take many test photos. Go with your gut feeling and you will have a beautiful photograph.’
