This happens to be one of my favorite shots and you wouldn’t believe how much I had to work for it. I started shooting right after 24, at 9pm, and I didnt stop shooting until 3:30. There were a couple hours of getting the light right and then a few more in trying to get an acceptable bubble arrangement. Even after all of that time, it just sometimes isnt possible to get that ONE shot when there is so much going on. Product photography is in the details, so you have to accept that shooting in strips may be your best bet. Above, you can see the two strips used in the final image.
Here is the setup. 4 lights were used. One was snooted on the background for the nice soft background. One was shot from underneath the table. One was camera right of the aquarium and the last was behind the subject camera left. There pieces of black foamcore all over the place to prevent light from bouncing off the white walls and white ceiling. When I get a larger studio, I am definitely going to paint it either a 50/50 gray or black.
There are some laughable elements in this picture that you should take notice of. One of the boom arms that the fishing line is attached too, is literally duct taped to a barstool. And the seamless is being held up by a statue of a head and an office lamp.
For the final image, I placed the camera on timer and poured with both hands. I also experimented with blowing bubbles from below, which is why there is a dumbbell anchoring a rubber hose to the bottom.
My homemade snoot made out of a upside down AB reflector, black seamless, another reflector sourced off of a garage hot light, and tape. It’s all about making good use of the things around you.
. Tighten your drag all the way down for better hooksets.
Hi there I like your post