"In the Spotlight"

Recently, I had the opportunity to edit a series of cocktail images for a London Cocktail bar and I'm excited to share my process with you.

1) Discussing the Images with the Client

First, I discussed the images with the client. These were taken on the client's side, and there were over 120 raw images to work with. After the client sent me their top picks, I was able to understand the style they liked. We went through what they wanted and the impact they were looking to achieve.

2) Editing the Images

Our initial idea was to have a simple image of a cocktail on a dark back drop, with something in the background. However, we realised that the images wouldn’t merge well with the idea, so we came up with a new idea of “in the spotlight”, showcasing the drinks with different spotlights on them. Once we had the idea, it was time for me to start editing. I used a combination of the top picks as well as some of my own choices which I thought would work better for achieving our desired look.

3) Improving the Images

After selecting the images, I used a photo editing tool to cut out the cocktails and remove the real background. I then evaluated each photo to identify areas that needed improvement, such as colour issues or poor lighting. To fix these issues, I used various photo editing tools to adjust the brightness and contrast, and remove any unwanted shadows or highlights.

4) Enhancing the Colours

I enhanced the colours of the cocktails to make them more vibrant and appetising, using selective colour adjustments to bring out the natural colours of the ingredients. I also added finishing touches to the images, such as sharpening the edges and adding a subtle vignette effect.

5) Applying Backdrop and Spotlights

Once I had the cocktails ready to go, it was time to apply a backdrop. I wanted something dark with interesting lighting instead of a solid backdrop. I positioned and resized the cocktail to put it in the central position. I then found a collection of spotlight images I wanted to use in this campaign, so I played around with different options until I found the right angle to match each drink.

6) Adding the Final Touches

After looking at the images, I realised that they didn't quite have the impact I was hoping for. So, I came up with the idea of adding sparkle to enhance the existing images. I found images with stars and then tried to bring out the colour of each cocktail in the stars themselves. I placed these behind the drinks to really make them pop. Lastly, I added a base shadow around the bottom of the glass to blend the placement more into the background and marry the images together.

By investing time and effort into photo editing, we were able to create visuals that truly captured the essence of the bar and its unique atmosphere. In conclusion, photo editing is an essential aspect of visual marketing and can help you stand out from the competition. By using the right tools and techniques, you can transform ordinary images into stunning works of art that leave a lasting impression on your audience.