Though the test shoot consumed several hours, it provided invaluable insights. Some initial observations include:

• The necessity for softer lighting compared to a single lamp with a softbox.
• The overpowering brightness of the lamp, which overshadowed the background lights, prompting consideration for film lights to allow for better dimming control.
• Addressing the challenge of positioning each woman effectively due to differences in hierarchy and height, indicating the need for multiple chairs during the upcoming session.

Photography Day

I began the day by sharing the edited test shots with my marketing colleagues to gather their opinions on which room they preferred. The cellar was the unanimous choice. With that settled, I had two tasks ahead of me for the day: capturing missing shots for our monthly „On the Pour” video and taking a photo for Times magazine.

The photo session was scheduled for 3:30 p.m., allowing me the morning to focus on recording. Around noon, I turned my attention to setting up the lighting in the cellar. Drawing from insights gained from the test shots, I knew I needed to ensure a softer, more gentle light. Opting for a straightforward composition, I arranged the scene to showcase the wine bottles in the background with symmetrical vertical and horizontal lines. To position the subjects effectively, I utilised two chairs of varying heights and positioned a third person between them.

Softening the light from the Apurture 300d was achieved using a white tablecloth. This additional layer diffused the light, creating a softer touch on the subjects and a smoother transition between light and shadow. Additionally, I had to address the issue of spilling light onto the background, which I managed by using a black board. To counterbalance shadows, I introduced an additional tablecloth. Satisfied with the lighting on the subjects, I introduced additional light using a standard reflector diffuser topped with black foam to focus the attention on the main subject.