Crafting the Mood with Light: A Deep Dive into Moody Wine Bottle Photography
When photographing a bottle of Sangre de Toro—which translates to Blood of the Bull—I wanted to create an image that reflected its name: bold, deep, and intense. Lighting is everything in photography, and for this shot, it was the driving force behind the mood.
Instead of traditional bright, clean product lighting, I opted for a moody, dramatic look, using red gels and precise light control to sculpt the bottle and glass. I was inspired by an image I saw online of a wine bottle, where the photographer used standard strobe lighting for defining the edges of the bottle. Instead, I decided to take a different approach by using a red color gel along the edges, which deepened the mood and perfectly captured the bold essence of “Sangre de Toro” (Blood of the Bull). This creative decision not only gave the image a dramatic flair but also aligned with the brand’s character.
Lighting Setup: Precision and Control
The key to this shot was layering light effectively.
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Red Gel in a Strip Box with Double Diffusion as Back lighting
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A red gel inside a strip softbox ensured full coverage, preventing light spillage.
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Double diffusion using a white acrylic Perspex sheet + a black strip + the strip light created a deep, rich red glow on the edges of the bottle.
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Dappled Light for the Label – coming from top down
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A projection lens strobe was used to highlight the label, bringing out its texture which was underexposed on purpose to enhance the mood. In between the light projection a gobo (a cut-out pattern placed between) introduced a dappled effect, making the label stand out naturally.
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Defining the Edges
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A black strip of cardboard was placed between the light and the bottle, ensuring only the edges caught the red light, creating a subtle but striking rim light. Its size also has to be determined and is depended on the size of bottle, distance of bottle from background and how big is the background which in this case was a sheet of white opaque perspex.
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Separately Shooting the Glass
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The wine glass was photographed separately, using the same lighting setup but with a slight change in backlight placement to enhance its form. Instead of strip softbox a standard reflector with a grid was used.
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Additional Highlights
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The cork and the plastic bull charm (a signature element of the Sangre de Toro bottle) were captured in separate exposures to emphasize their details, however making sure that lighting direction remained the same.
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Post-Processing: Bringing it All Together
While everything was done in-camera, the final composition was created in Photoshop by blending multiple exposures. This method ensured absolute control over lighting details while staying true to real photography techniques.
The result? A moody, high-impact image where light enhances the bottle’s form and label without unwanted reflections or distractions.
In this shoot, I’ve included some direct raw file converted images so you can see details of the process. You’ll notice that the glass was marked and wasn’t super clean, to enphasis the importance of having the glass spotless. For the label and cork, I experimented with four different variations of dappled light before settling on the final look.
Essential Tips for Moody Wine Bottle Photography
If you’re looking to achieve high-quality, moody product shots, here are some critical tips:
✔ Keep the bottle and glass spotless – Any dust or fingerprints will show up under dramatic lighting. Use a microfiber cloth and compressed air.
✔ Control reflections – Bottles are highly reflective, so use black cards to shape the light and avoid distracting highlights.
✔ Place the glass seam at the edge – The seam of the wine glass can catch light awkwardly. Position it strategically to minimize distractions.
✔ Use multiple exposures if needed – Product photography is about absolute precision. Don’t hesitate to capture different elements separately and combine them in post.
✔ Experiment with gels – Color can dramatically change the mood. Instead of lighting everything white, try deep colors like red, blue, or orange to create a unique atmosphere.
Mastering Lighting: Are You Interested in Learning?
Lighting can make or break an image. It’s the most powerful tool in photography, whether you’re shooting products, food, beverages, or even portraits.
This shot is just one example of how lighting can transform product photography. If you’re passionate about learning professional techniques for shooting products, food, and beverages, people I’m considering offering workshops focused purely on lighting—covering:
✅ Beginner or Intermediate or Advanced levels
✅ How to shape light for different effects
✅ On-set lighting techniques
✅ One-on-one and small group workshops
With 20 years of experience, I’ve developed a deep understanding of how light behaves. Lighting is the foundation of photography—literally “writing with light”—yet it’s often overlooked. Many focus on gear or settings like aperture, but without mastering light, the best equipment won’t guarantee great results.
I started with basic, entry-level gear from a local hardware store, but what made the difference was learning how to see and control light. Understanding lighting is not just about theory—it’s about training your eye to recognize how light shapes a subject and using it intentionally.
This applies not just to photographers but also to content creators and videographers—after all, light follows the same physics across all visual media. My aim is to teach both the theory and the hands-on practice of lighting, so you can see the difference with your own eyes.
If you’d be interested in learning lighting—whether for product, food, people, or beverage photography—let me know!
📩 Email me at [project@stephengalea.com] to express your interest!
Let’s make lighting the focus it deserves.
