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

Cans and Bottles

Dealing with Different Surfaces

Along with the ever-increasing array of beers, there is an expanding number of ways to contain beer. There are different colors of glass and different shapes, each of which pose unique lighting issues, and then there are cans. It used to be that beer in a can was seen as sort of pedestrian. Cans were great for cheap beers, but better beers came in bottles. Today, however, many expensive craft beers are served in cans, which present problems due to elaborate logos and highly reflective aluminum surfaces. Actually, each can and bottle presents its own unique set of issues and problems that need to ...