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Friday, December 01, 2006

100 bottles of beer on the wall...


Sitting at lunch with my colleagues recently, I noticed a strong shaft of sunlight beating down on a glass of beer. The colors and shadings grabbed my attention, and although metering a severely backlit subject is difficult at the best of times, it wasn't as if I was wasting film in the process. So I pulled out the camera and, to the good-natured banter of my compadres, set up for a few quick captures before our lunch was served.

I've commented previously on how light can make the same scene appear completely different, and this truth holds when looking at - or through - any kind of liquid. It's a scene I've photographed before, but one I think I'll be returning to when I next see a flash of light through a glass. I'm strange that way.

I couldn't pick my favorite of the two, so I posted both.

Oh, one more thing: the beer wasn't mine. I was driving that day, so it was iced tea for me. Not as photogenic. Thanks to Mark for allowing me to hijack his beer momentarily.

Your turn: I'm taking suggestions for beverage types and vessels for possible future picture-taking. Go nuts!

36 comments:

  1. Tell me that was your beer... and tell me that wasn't some of your bottom shelf swill like a "Blue Light."

    You know, it reminds me of some photos I took whilst celebrating my sister's 40th in Port Dalhousie, ON. Some of them are among my favourites because of the $5 and scattered loonies in the foreground and soft focused bartenders/patrons in the back.

    Booze shots are always classics. I got some so-so shots of a bottle of Red Bicyclette and a half full glass. Nothing says classy like vino.

    Milk and cookies are good subjects as well.


    p

    here via michele today, carm.

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  2. Great shots...

    I've always fancied getting a shot of soda water. It is always so much more bubbly than any other liquid I've seen.

    Here from Michele's today.

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  3. Oh.. I just caught the 'beer wasn't mine' part.

    sure, it wasn't.

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  4. okay - you've got me...now I need to post that picture of beer from Oktoberfest 2006 (yes, in Munich, Germany).

    I personally like the second shot - like the shadow from the glass as well as how the light cuts through the liquid and the reflection it made.

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  5. Champagne. Go big.

    Hi from Michele's this morning.

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  6. I have a photo of a Shirley Temple drink on yesterdays post. It's red! I think beer is the most photogenic drink. Here's to you, Carmi! and michele.

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  7. Here from Michele.

    Again, minds think alike. We had Thanksgiving dinner at a cafeteria and I took pictures of my iced tea... glass full and almost empty, with the added lemon. Also, colorful pie plate with crumbs and a fork still sporting that last bit of peach pie filling...

    I personally like the second picture better... it soothes the eyes. As for what to shoot... anything!

    Bubbling ginger ale might be interesting or... pink lemonade!

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  8. Hey, that's my beer! Cool pics Carmi...I prefer the second shot as well. Amazing that an innocent looking pint of beer sitting on a table can be such a photogenic subject. And no prego, it's most certainly not a Blue Light...Keiths if I remember correctly.

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  9. Michele sent me, Carmi.

    I'd avoid the beer also and go with iced tea--heavily sugared!

    My suggestion would be colorful Jello shots on a nice backdrop. Say a college student's navel, for example. Now that would be a lovely picture, Carmi! (I don't know if Morah Mommy would agree to this tho)

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  10. I love those shots. I was similarly inspired yesterday (photo posted on my blog), but the beverage in question was mine...all mine. I'm glad I'm not the only one who whips out a camera to take pictures of stuff on a restaurant table.

    My suggestion would be for bubbles. Something bubbly, whether it's champagne, or sparkling or boiling water.

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  11. nice pictures, as usual!

    Michele sent me today. :)

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  12. Now I want a beer. And it's not even 10am. And I don't even really like beer. So I blame you.

    Michele sent me!

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  13. Girly drinks might make for spiffy photographs. Also fun might be a clear liquid with ice cubes in it made from fruit juice...if you picked a clear but colorful juice like cranberry the results might be interesting.

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  14. Pepsi, of course...don't you think the bubbles would make awesome pictures? ;)
    Michele sent me today, although I love visiting here anytime! :)

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  15. Red wine as it can come in so many glorious variations of red, from very deep to actually quite pale.
    Here for my Friday visit from Michele's.

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  16. You make beer look so freaking good. I always thought it looked so tasty, but I HATE the taste.

    Fizzy root beer. That I'd like to see a picture of.

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  17. I'm thinking a cosmopolitan. First, it is a pretty color and with backlighting...ooh. Second, when you are done photographing it, I will gladly take it off your hands. :)

    Michele sent me!

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  18. Hi Carmi, here via Michele today.

    You have quite the eye for photography, which makes you a great writer as well, in my opinion.

    As for your suggestions... if you can find it, nothing is as beautiful as a glass of sparkling shiraz -- that beautiful ruby color and the bubbles would make for an interesting subject. And a fun toast afterwards. Cheers!

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  19. Shots of drinks... hum... got many of those from last summer !

    I would suggest a shot of Cremant ; the bubbles are bigger than champagne therefore catching more light...

    Michele sent me ; have a great weekend !

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  20. This is the bottom of the glass you've reached!

    Michele sent me here.

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  21. I vote for Milk!

    Hello from Michele's again today and Thanks for visiting me too....

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  22. I tried to do the beer shot from my blog with cola - but it wasn't very good....

    hmmmm...vessels...a clear vase...filled with water and stems...shoot! I could have done that last week...but the roses are gone now....

    how about a nice cut glass wine goblet with a rose or chardonnay in it?

    Michele sent me!

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  23. Black coffee in a Dixie Cup

    Light, sweet Texas crude in a thimble

    Orange juice in a pewter konk

    Buttermilk in a aquarium

    ~,:^)

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  24. I can't decide which I like better. I like rampant bicycle's suggestion with the ice cubes for your next picture.

    Michele sent me!

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  25. How about a bottle of that Apple Juice that is clear...? The color is so beautiful...Another interesting liquid that has a beautiful color is Goji Juice...an almost purple-red clear liquid..Also, very very good and exremely healthy for you!

    Beautiful pictures Carmi, as always!
    Michele sent me here today, but you know I am a "regular"...(lol)

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  26. Wow, pretty. You could do print ads for Molson, or whoever. Light does make all the difference.

    Good to see you by.

    If you throw tomatoes as a distraction, you'll ahve to choose ones not too ripe and not too hard, eh? :)

    Michele sent me by power of boomerang.

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  27. I tried to take a shot of my Coke glass with my cell phone camera a while back--from above, looking down into the glass, nothing left but ice and froth--but it didn't turn out too well. I'd share it, but I have no idea how to get the pictures out of my phone...

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  28. That's a really cool picture!
    I like how it looks warm although I'll assume it was quite cold.

    A picture of a beverage-I say get the top of a latte or a cappuccino. Something frothy and thick. That would be an appealing picture since I'm jonesin' for a cup right now.

    Here from Michele's. [Long time no see]

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  29. i have a favorite martini photo.
    i'll make it photo of the moment so you can see.

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  30. What about a black and tan in a traditional pilsner? I know it's not really going to let the light through, but I always liked the contrast, and how the two stay seperated.

    And I like the second picture better, more colors in it.
    Here from Michele's today

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  31. I like the second one best I think. Suggestions...ugh, hard one...or not, since it's the holidays, go for hot drinks...think what you can capture with the steam rising off of them!

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  32. after a day in the dentist chair, I want one of those - thank you for not drinking when you drive!

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  33. a nice cut crystal glass with some brandy or other amber liquid :-)

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  34. My favorite is the first photo and I have to say....a champagne flute with that amber liquid inside and perfect lighting would be great.

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  35. Thanks for directing me here Carmi. Love the post and the shot. One down....99 to go! Take care this week.

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