How to make water look the colour of white wine...................

DM

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Mar 12, 2002, 7:51:40 AM3/12/02

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...........so the I can SAFELY put a goldfish in it!

I'm doing a shot of a goldfish in a glass of "white wine" for a food
illustration.

Any ideas as to how I can keep it safe for the fish while I do the shot?

Thanks.

DM

r.emmanuelli

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Mar 12, 2002, 8:39:25 AM3/12/02

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can't you do a doulble exposure?
"DM" <dmor...@eircom.net> wrote in message
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DarrenH

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Mar 12, 2002, 8:46:29 AM3/12/02

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Better yet, Photoshop it.......

"r.emmanuelli" <ra...@boo.net> wrote in message
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DM

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Mar 12, 2002, 9:09:19 AM3/12/02

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Probably, but it's messy. I'd rather avoid it.

DM

"r.emmanuelli" <ra...@boo.net> wrote in message
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Sherman Dunnam

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Mar 12, 2002, 9:32:18 AM3/12/02

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"DM" <dmor...@eircom.net> wrote in message
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DM,
A few things come to mind.

First is Photoshop. Add the color (and perhaps bubbles if it is sparkling
wine) in Photoshop, perhaps using two separate images, one of the goldfish
shot in a tank with flat sides so lighting and exposure is easier and then
one of a glass of wine. Put the goldfish in the wine photo and voila!

Second, a drop of yellow food coloring in the water. You will have to
experiment to get the exact coloration but food coloring in small amounts is
absolutely safe for goldfish. Most white wine has a hint of red or orange
coloring so you may want to buy a bottle of each. It is very cheap stuff.

NOTE: Take the water directly from the fish's tank rather than the tap as
the tap probably has chlorine in it which will kill the fish. Add the
coloring and take your shot. If it takes a long time to get set up you
would obviously do all the setup and the polaroid test before putting the
fish in. Then while the fish is in the glass have an air pump and airstone
handy and put it in the glass whenever you aren't shooting (while adjusting
lights, backgrounds, changing film etc.)

Last, you might try a light yellow filter on a small light with a snoot that
can be very directional. (I am _not_ a lighting specialist, having just
bought my first lights a week ago so you have to figure this out.) I have
however taken a lot of aquarium photos using everything from available light
to flashes with rubber gaskets pressed against the outside glass. I have
used food coloring (though I used blue and green) to give a more 'ocean'
look to the water and all the living critters did just fine.

Just a couple ideas from a non-expert.

Sherman

DM

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Mar 12, 2002, 10:04:42 AM3/12/02

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> Just a couple ideas from a non-expert.
>
> Sherman

Sherman,

Thanks.

DM

Peter Hirons

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Mar 12, 2002, 10:51:00 AM3/12/02

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In article <nPmj8.6891$W8.5...@news.indigo.ie>, dmor...@eircom.net (DM)
wrote:

Food colouring should make water look like wine and be safe for the fish
for a short period. Don't leave the fish in for long as there won't be
much oxygen in that much water.

Give the glass to your most annoying assistant afterwards ;=)

Peter, Nr Clonakilty, Co Cork, Ireland

Stefan Patric

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Mar 12, 2002, 7:14:17 PM3/12/02

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The way I would do it is to photograph real white wine in the glass,
and the fish seperately in a fish tank, and composite them either by
film masking or digital masking.

--
Stefan Patric
too...@yahoo.com

Gordon Moat

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Mar 13, 2002, 3:13:19 AM3/13/02

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Have you tried putting a snoot and a gel on a fill light to give the water
a yellowish colour? The fish should be okay for a short time in the glass
with regular bottled water, or similar clean water. You could also try a
tungsten fill, or coloured reflector, to make the glass appear to contain
wine.

Ciao!

Gordon Moat
Alliance Graphique Studio
<http://www.allgstudio.com>