You asked for it!
I had so many of you asking how I achieved my coffee shot last week that I decided to share with you what I did. It wasn’t all that difficult & I admit, I did have 2 helpers. That made all the difference- believe me.
So I brewed a pot of coffee. I used the gross canned stuff that I keep in the freezer for cooking so as not to waste the good stuff because I knew it was going to be messy & I was going to dump it. I went out back , working on the grass in case it got really messy. I set up in the open shade so I would have plenty of light but not direct sun. I set up my white boards on top of a TV tray & then had Mini-Me hold the reflector behind the set up with the silver side showing. I then set up the cup & saucer & sprinkled some extra beans for good measure. Set up the tripod a few feet away & had Mr. Man standing just outside the frame with a cup of ice cubes to make the “ker-plop”.
Camera settings were at…
ISO 400, 1/4000, f/3.5, 85mm because it’s so tack sharp even from farther away.
Here is the set up- I’m sorry I didn’t think to take a pull back as well.
Coffee was still hot- I literally grabbed it right after it was done brewing.
Then I got behind the camera, set my focus on the cup, shutter half depressed & ready to go.
Then it was literally 1,2,3- drop & I clicked. This was take #1.
You can see that the boards are still clean as nothing had hit them yet.
I was happy with it but wanted to make sure- so we did it again- this time it was messier.
I liked it so I didn’t clean up the spills between takes. This was take #2.
I didn’t share this one before- this is take #3.
You can see I must have finished pressing the shutter a bit slower than I did in the others.
It’s also much messier- you can see all the spills in this one.
So that’s it- literally. I don’t have any more shots- this was all I took.
Give it a try- it was really fun!
Pieni Lintu says
What did you drop in the mug? Or did you already tell that.. 🙂 these are so great!
Kim says
These are great Gina! What great helpers you have! I love the first one. Would be a great print for coffee lovers. 🙂
Secret Mom Thoughts says
Great shots. Thanks for the tips.
Rochelle@AFamilyofLooneys says
Very cool! Great shots, I need to try this.
Laura Delegal - Leroy Photography says
I’m always grateful to those who don’t mind sharing their secrets and you always do. Thank you. And the shots are excellent (as always).
Sue says
How cool is that??
=)
Elena says
Thanks for sharing! These are spectacular shots! Very creative! They make me crave a cup of coffee and I don’t even like coffee ;o)
Jill Wellington says
I love all of these Gigi!! I wish I had mini-you and Mr. Man to help ME! Thanks for sharing this fun idea.
Susan @ Sunflower Status says
Looks like such fun! I wish you lived closer so I could borrow your lovely assistants. 🙂
Amy says
These are SUPER fun! 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Tamar SB says
Love the behind the scenes look at your shoot! I need to get better at learning how to set shutter speed…
Susan says
Very cool! Thanks 🙂
Kim says
I really love that shot. 🙂
Donna says
Great shots. I love the first one.
prideinphotos.com says
What a fantastic idea!! Brilliant, brillant!! Why didn’t I think of this:) I think you should market this photo! Wonderful job.
Laurie @ Pride In Photos
MG Atwood says
thanks for sharing. I was one of those nosey Nancy’s wanting to know the “how did you”. Appreciate you sharing..Glad it was outdoors, makes the clean up so much easier.
Linda R says
Thank you so much for sharing this with us. I would really love to give it a try..
Hugs~
Jaymi says
I’m so glad you posted a how-to for this shot! I really want to try it! You nailed it on the first take perfectly! I also really love the set-up with the crisp white background and the garnish of coffee beans!
momphotographer says
I love the messy shots!!! they are so awesome!
Meagan says
Cool shot! I love the splash…great idea with the ice cube. Thank you for sharing your creativity! 🙂
Danelle says
Okay, this is so cool! And I’m loving that lens!
Melanie says
Gina, these are surely the coolest coffee/ANY drink photo I’ve EVER seen! LOVE these.
Jessica says
What a fun shot with all of the coffee spilling.
Andrea {kerubo mama} says
Amazing shots!! You are crazy creative!! xoxo