How I got the photo: Working with glass and reflections

Product photography is an essential aspect of showcasing and promoting merchandise. However, when it comes to glassware and highly reflective surfaces, capturing compelling images can be a challenging task. The reflective nature of these materials often leads to unwanted reflections, glare, and distortion. In a recent studio session, I shared how I capture these images. Here is what we did.

Control your lighting

The key to successful product photography with glassware and reflective surfaces lies in mastering light control. Start by setting up a controlled lighting environment. Use diffused light sources such as softboxes, diffusers, or umbrellas to reduce harsh reflections and glare. Position the lights strategically to create a balanced illumination across the subject. Consider using black flags or black foam boards to block unwanted reflections and shadows. We created a tunnel of sorts using black foam core to cut down unwanted reflections.

Choose the right background

Selecting the appropriate background is crucial in product photography, especially when dealing with glassware and reflective surfaces. A plain, neutral-colored background works best to minimize distractions and focus attention on the product. Consider using a white, gray, or black backdrop to create contrast and complement the reflective nature of the subject.

We used white acrylic (or Perspex) for the tabletop and white seamless paper for our background. We also did a black setup with black on the table and black seamless paper.

Watch your angles

The angle at which you photograph glassware and reflective surfaces can significantly impact the final result. Experiment with different shooting angles to find the most flattering perspective. While product photographers normally suggest avoiding shooting directly at the glass or reflective surface, as this may result in unwanted reflections of the camera or the surrounding environment. We actually set our tripods straight on at the same height or a touch lower than our glassware. We wanted to capture these challenging angles. You could instead, try shooting from a slightly elevated or side angle to capture the subject’s details without interference.

Clean and prep the surfaces

I cannot stress this enough. Prior to the shoot, thoroughly clean and prep the glassware and reflective surfaces to ensure they are free from smudges, fingerprints, or dust particles. Use a lint-free cloth and gentle cleaning solutions to maintain their pristine appearance. Additionally, consider using compressed air or a soft brush to remove any dust or lint from the surrounding area before capturing the shots. Everything was clean, but we still found dust in our photos! Use gloves when handling glassware.

Experiment with props and styling

Enhance the visual appeal of your product photography by incorporating relevant props and styling elements. Choose props that complement the glassware and help create a visually engaging composition. Experiment with different arrangements, textures, and colors to add depth and interest to the images. We played with multiple glasses, wine and such. We wanted a minimalist clean look.

Check out the BTS video below:

Post-processing and retouching

Once you have captured your product images, post-processing and retouching can further enhance their overall quality. Use photo editing software to fine-tune the exposure, contrast and color balance. Pay attention to any remaining reflections or glare and retouch them selectively. Keep in mind that a balance must be struck between enhancing the product’s appearance and maintaining its realistic representation. Dust and scratches can be fixed easily in post as well.

Use polarizing filters

Polarizing filters can also be a valuable tool for photographing glassware and highly reflective surfaces. These filters help to reduce reflections, control glare, and enhance color saturation. Attach a circular polarizing filter to your camera lens and rotate it until the unwanted reflections are minimized. Experiment with different angles to achieve the desired effect. We did not use them in this case, but they can be helpful.

Camera settings and gear

For our lights, we used two Godox AD200Pro and Striplight diffusers. One on each side angled on a 45⁰ slant or angle with diffusers (5-1 type), between the light and the subject on full power. I also used the Molus X100 to light the background at 100% power. A Godox X1 trigger to trigger the strobes. We wanted our white background to appear white, without blowing out the glassware.

I used my Sony A7RIII and my Sony 90mm macro lens, ISO320, 90mm focal length, f/10 (to get everything nice and sharp), 1/125 seconds shutter speed.

A few final tips

• Use as many lights as required (or you have available) to light your subject well, while still cutting down reflections.
• Use scrims or diffusers and lighting modifiers, the more you use the softer the light and the minimal reflections.
• Create ‘tunnels’ with foam core and reflectors (watch the video above) to cut down unwanted light and to reflect or ‘bounce’ light where it is required.
• Use a ruler to line up glasses! Something we thought about afterward.
• We had one person photographing the subject, and another holding and moving reflectors, foam core and such. Having people to assist is very helpful
• We also tethered my Sony camera to a laptop to get a better view of our images.
• Use dental wax to hold glasses in place, it is easier to hide than ‘Bluetack’ or tape.

While tricky, this can actually be a lot of fun, it’s a real challenge to get everything right in camera. If photographing for a client, perhaps try a few test runs. If photographing for fun, try with a friend. It is fiddly and tricky, but the final photos can look amazing.