How to Light Beer: A Photographer’s Guide to Working with Cans, Bottles, and Pours

Different Lighting Techniques

No One Size Fits All

The first thing to acknowledge when it comes to learning how to photograph and light any subject is that there’s no one right answer. Each scenario is unique. This may seem like a bummer, but it really is a good thing. In a one-size-fits-all world, everyone’s work looks the same and nobody has a unique identity. Regarding beer, this doesn’t work for the brewers, and it surely doesn’t work for the photographer, who is trying to make a name for himself or herself. Relating this back to beer, just imagine if all beer looked and tasted the same—that would be a travesty.

This section addresses a handful of options when lighting beer. Please consider these options as just a starting point, and remember ...