“We’ll fix it in post.” Is one of the cliché phrases in photography.

When I first started, I over retouched images. My portfolio was full of over the top, abstract ideas trying to be hyper realistic. Even though some looked cool (some for sure didn’t) there was something off about them. Like watching a movie these days with bad CGI.

As I progressed with my career, I’ve found that capturing images for real is way better than reproducing it in post. There needs to be solid planning, a great understanding of light and the knowledge of how retouching can be used as a tool to enhance rather than relied on as a crutch.

In this recent shot of Mr. Black liquor, we decided to use the light coming through the glass facets to make the scene. This image is a combination of hard, direct light through the first glass with a mirror reflecting back through the second glass. Combine that with some well placed fill cards to shape the bottle and soften the shadows and we’re in business!

Doing this practically let us know exactly what we were going to get in the final shot. Don’t get me wrong, there is still some retouching (check out the timelapse below) however it’s used to cleanup and enhance. Like controlling the placement of the coffee beans and pepping up the highlights of the bottle and the never ending battle with dust.

To me this is a great example of an image that looks faked but is captured in camera. Plan your shots, know your light, use it deliberately and the get the shot rather than relying on post production. Your clients will thank you because retouching is time consuming and $$$$!