Scotch Preliminary Photoshoot & Lighting Ideas -

Since I am not sure what kind of lighting to use for the my Billboard Scotch photoshoot, I attempted to create a mini studio style shoot at home. However I only have access to 1 Speedlite & Softbox and other general home lighting so was not particulary helpful.

Though I did learn that backing the Scotch bottle and glass with reflective foil greatly impoved the lighting and 'glow' within the glass and bottle.

Since I have essentially hit a brick wall at home I have decided to set up a quick mini shoot using the Rave Studio in an attempt to find the best kind of lighting to use for this.

I also found that if I could light the glasses from the top without runing the photograph then I shall as it makes the glasses appear much clearer.

As well as using a black soft cotton/velvet background added greatly to the overall photograph.

Here are a few very basic and low level photographs for testing -

Attempting using a backlight to light glasses
f5.6 Shutter 1/10

Testing with foil back ground with better results

f14 Shutter 1/125

Most preferred thus far. A real studio should be much easier to get better results.

f9 Shutter 1/125

Scotch Shoot Ideas & Planning

Scotch Studio Billboard Shoot –

Props –

Bottles of 12 year, 15 year, Grand Reserva, 19 Year First Cask bottles

The corresponding boxes for the above
Crystal Scotch glasses
Whiskey stones
Cheap scotch
Red cloth for table – possibly with touches of gold
Possibly a brown cloth background or smooth black

Lighting –

Softbox Flash
Strip lights

New Idea - Scotch

After looking into above & below the line advertising, I changed my idea from band photography to Scotch. Mainly the single malt Highland, Dalmore.

My idea in order to have it meet all of the criteria is to photograph the 12, 15, Grand Reserve, 18 year bottles in varying compositions. I will attempt to create a 'Gentlemens Club' type of atmosphere.

Similar to this -

Above & Below The Line Advertising

After further research on above and below the line advertsing I have found the following.

Above the Line -

Mass Media
Televison
Aimed at the masses
World Wide
Relies on advertising to sell a sepcifiic product

Below the Line -

Does not rely on campaings to sell their products
More subtle, more directed and more personalised

Based on this I have changed my ideas, which will follow in the next post

Preliminary Ideas - Advertising Billboards

We have been tasked to create 1 photograph that would fit across 3 different types of Advertising Billboards; 48 sheet, 96 sheet & Showcase Square Poster.

So far my ideas for this project are -

Band - Sepuku
Film Company - How Bizarre
Comic Book/Graphic Novel - Arturas Project/Personal Project
Video Games

Band Photography - SEPUKU

My first idea was to use band photography which I am comfortable with and have easy access to the band in order to get the photographs needed.

It would also work throughout the 3 different poster sizes needed.

Film Company - How Bizarre

My next idea was slightly different in that I was going to use my friends up and coming film company which deals in creating short films, video remixes and the like. Though trying to photograph the company in order to correctly portray what they do may be a difficult task.

Comic Book/Graphic Novel - Arturas Project/Personal Project

A friend of mine is working on a Graphic Novel/Animated Series for his own Uni project which I also thought could be useful and benificial for both parties to use for this project. As I would actually use the work I create to advertise his Animated Series. While I have access to his work and help very easily if I cannot I do have my own Graphic Novel Project which I could also use.

Video Games

In recent years due to the advancement in both CGI, experitice and budget of video game companies many have decided to create 'live action' trailers and posters. Such as Mass Effect, Halo and Call of Duty. The trailers are very effective and give the audience a much more realistic view of each game.

Due to this I could create my own 'live action' photographs for an existing game. Though I would have to be careful not to make it look too much like my previous work.