A model and wine

[peterdoomen]

Recently, I've been taking photos for a local wine magazine. Nothing too big, 3000 ex per issue. The "usual stuff" includes photos at tasting events, photos of bottles and grapes,... which is not too difficult for me.

But now they've asked me to do a photoshoot with a model for the cover.
It has to have something to do with wine from the south of France (Languedoc) since that is the theme of the next issue.

I can't afford to book a trip over there, so I need advice, tips, ideas, anything that can help me taking a professional looking photo for the cover of our wine magazine.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

PeteR.

[Longwatcher]

I am thinking that if you can snag a corner of a restaraunt and then set up a table with some approriate wine bottles, glasses and related decorations on a table witht he model nearby that would be kind of standard, but should work since you can't get to the actual region.

An alternative would be a dining room or living room/study (model sitting or standing)

Another alternative would be a picnic setting (I actually may use this one myself - but not for publication so feel free to use).

So there are some of my ideas. At a minimum you at least need a couple of the appropriate wine bottles hanging around in the picture.

Just my thoughts and opinion,

[PhotosGuy]

1st thought: Bottle to L or R front, slightly fuzzy focus. Filled glass in foreground, in focus. Models hand on glass, face OOF. She's looking soulfully over the glass at you. Shoot 40 variations on that. ;)

[peterdoomen]

Longwatcher, Frank:
both excellent ideas. I was stuck on doing a photoshoot in a wine cellar, but the picknick and restaurant idea with the filled glass are probably nicer & easier to realize...

Other ideas still welcome. I guess we will have a long day before us...

PeteR.

[IndyJeff]

Maybe a soft or cool background color using a backdrop. Place the backdrop over a small table also. Have the bottle of wine dead center of the table and the model leaning on the table, chin on hands, looking at the bottle of wine.

Shoot it fairly tight so that all you see of the model is her head and hands, eyes on the bottle. It could either be shot from a side view, or a head on. Just make sure whichever way you shoot it, the label is facing the camera.

Be sure to find out how much header room they need at the top, and sides and bottom for added print.

[tbfoto]

Ok...here's my take on this. A single bottle (in focus) on a table with grapes around the base with a mans hand holding a womans hand just behind the bottle (out of focus). Dark background. Light tablecloth. Soft lighting.

Tom

[ericgtr]

1st thought: Bottle to L or R front, slightly fuzzy focus. Filled glass in foreground, in focus. Models hand on glass, face OOF. She's looking soulfully over the glass at you. Shoot 40 variations on that. ;)
Geez, that is a really good idea. I am tempted to try something like that myself just from the description.

[Ray Marrero]

How about...

a tiny table with a white table cloth and the wine on it in focus...
the model with nice dress and nice shoes sitting so you can only see her legs and maybe her body no face...
she is holding a glass of the wine.

[garbidz]

Languedoc-Roussillon is not very much in the tradition of quality wine
there are newcomers from Australia, South Africa and California (met some of them) who are changing the scene...pity you cannot afford a trip down to Montpellier...it is a beautiful city!
The Millau Bridge is down there, quite a sight.
Nothing to do with wine, though.
Carcassonne, quite spectacular. Touristique.
It is not Bourgogne ou Bordeaux, nothing really remarkable locally so just go with the "traditional" wine stuff, baguette tradition etc and candles shining through red wine glasses
quality glasses!

can you find a "mas" near where you live?

[peterdoomen]

Garbidz: I am very sorry to say that you're completely wrong concerning this topic. Believe me, the Languedoc-Roussillon region is France's "new world" with more and more top producers... (and rising prices, unfortunately). As a wine enthusiast, I'm following this region for years and I can tell you I have seen the transition from "lots of mediocre wines and a rare good one" to "lots of mediocre wines and many good ones". But of course, you have to find the good ones. Same holds for Bordaux and Burgundy, but with still higher prices in these traditional regions.

I know the region is beautiful: I spent more than 10 holidays over there... just cannot make the trip now.

Thanks for the tip anyway.

PeteR.

[garbidz]

Well, I sort of was trying to say just that...in Le Poquet for instance there is a SA-U.S. couple who completely renovated the vineyard they bought for a ridiculous price as "the soil was no good". Actually it was the methods and the utilities that were no good and now the breakeven point has been crossed one year and a half ahead of the schedule. What's funniest is that they are cutting down on production to keep the prices up...Combined skills of oenology and marketing in action. "Terroir n'est pas bon", mon pied!

An Australian has as well found and grown quality wines that she has managed to market to BA business class. http://www.abbottswine.com/

She is a lot of fun also.

"new world" is not the synonyme of "tradition"...nor the opposite