A question on shooting beer....

[RockyPtJoe]

Hopefully I'm posting in the right location...but....I'm looking for some words of wisdom or tricks to keeping the "head" on a glass of beer during a photoshoot.....short of continually pouring a new beer every couple of minutes!!!

Is there something that can be added to the beer? Will dropping the temp. of the beer (almost freezing) help?

Thanks!

[notsotechie]

I'm not sure try a warm beer or room temp.
and pour at a high point so create a lot of foam. say about 3 to 5 inch above the glass.
then quickly use a remote controll to fire your shots.
Just a thought any more idea camel

[stuped]

Rock salt poured into the beer will create a nice head..

[Thunderhawk]

Ok, thinking backing to my drinking days, Get a frosted mug, and then pour warm beer in to it from several inches like notsotechie said. As I remember this will give you quite a good head.

Good luck on your shoot.

Don`t forget to post the shots

[Brooks]

As Stuped said, add salt to the beer. Doesn't have to be rock salt, table salt will do. And Table salt quickly dissolves so it's not visible.

[Steve Buchanan]

The Setshop sells a foam booster kit that works great. The above mentioned tricks can help but nothing works like foam booster. If time is a factor and you've been chemically enhanced like me you can try photoflo.

For more tips and tricks about food styling google the 'tweezer times'. I'd post a link but since I'm new here the system won't let me.
SB

[RockyPtJoe]

Thank you all for the hints....have about 2 weeks before I try to shoot...so will be testing it out with some beer!!!!

Not being a beer connoisseur (mostly Mexican beers, and yes, with lime!!!), do any particular beers give a better "head" then others....maybe the heavy lagers?

[notsotechie]

I Guess that would be for you to expermient I never was good at chemstry hee hee.

[RockyPtJoe]

This experimentation could get expensive! And I just hate wasting anything.....this could take the entire 2 weeks to finish!!

[Deefstes]

Sounds like a fab shoot. If I could be there I'dhave happily helped you "dispose" of all the beers that's lost their heads.

[kevgermany]

Originally Posted by Deefstes

Sounds like a fab shoot. If I could be there I'dhave happily helped you "dispose" of all the beers that's lost their heads.

You like salty beer?

[heartseye]

Ah....just set everything up....then pour the beer.....sheeeeesh

[RockyPtJoe]

Originally Posted by heartseye

Ah....just set everything up....then pour the beer.....sheeeeesh

DUH.....now why didn't I think of that

The beer is a prop, and not for a product shoot.....so the element of time becomes a factor....and was trying to come up with some way to minimize having to go thru a bunch of beers( the continual refills)....but thank you for your advice!

So....Let me recap your technique:
Step 1. Set everything up
Step 2. Pour the beer
Step 3. "sheesh"....is that some special camera setting or lighting technique?

[RockyPtJoe]

Just an update....tried it with the salt.....works great on getting a head...super large head...more then 3/4 of the glass was foam!!

However, it dissipates just about as quickly as a regular one!

Have that "foam booster" on order....a little pricey...but if it helps, it will be worth it.

[heartseye]

Sorry, RPJ................step 3 is optional.

[VisionCreative]

Guinness Stout is famous for it's rich foamy head ... It takes awhile for it to dissipate as well. It can be almost like whipped cream floating on top of a mug of hot chocolate. Only drawback is the color of the beer itself is practically black not sure if the color of the beer itself was important to you or not.

[RockyPtJoe]

Originally Posted by VisionCreative

Guinness Stout is famous for it's rich foamy head ... It takes awhile for it to dissipate as well. It can be almost like whipped cream floating on top of a mug of hot chocolate. Only drawback is the color of the beer itself is practically black not sure if the color of the beer itself was important to you or not.

Maybe I need to do some more "research"....pick up an assortment of Guinness?

[Thunderhawk]

I`m trying to remember. I beleave that Killian Red gets a nice head. Has a pretty color as well as a good taste.

[drumsergeant]

If you want to keep the head of the beer longer, be sure the inside of the glass is very clean. No oil. So don't tounch the inside of the glass or get your hands on the beer. The oils will break down the foam. Remember the old scenes with the bar keep sticking his thumb in the beer.

[RockyPtJoe]

Another followup....been experimenting with different beers....the lagers seem to work the best. Samuel Adams gave a nice color and head, and held it between 1 - 1.5 minutes before it was noticeably dissipating. I'll be trying different temperatures with both the beer and glass....

Salt helps with creating the head, but it doesn't help it "hold"....and it tastes awful...so that gets poured down the drain....a lot of wasted beer!!!

Have to try Guinness as was suggested.....I may become a beer connoisseur before this is over....