Case study

Kozel Beer

Advertising shot

Kozel is an authentic Czech beer with a tradition dating back to 1874. Known for its rich flavor and rustic identity, Kozel is not just about beer—it's about moments of relaxation, local tradition, and that familiar "let's stay a little longer" feeling.When I chose to take on this personal project, I knew we didn't just want a simple product photo; we wanted an image that captured the essence of the brand. So, I decided to highlight the drink's freshness, the texture of the bottle, and the dynamics of pouring, all while maintaining an authentic atmosphere. It was a project that blended creativity with technical details, and the final result perfectly tells Kozel's story: rustic, authentic, and ready to be enjoyed.

Phase 1

Concept Development

The vision behind the shot

The core question was: How can we capture Kozel’s tradition and authenticity in an image that instantly makes you crave it?

The brand’s key elements served as the starting point:

Refreshing texture: The cold bottle, covered in droplets, evokes the freshness of an authentic beer.
Beer pouring: The fine foam and golden color suggest premium quality.
Rustic elements: Wooden frames and a warm backdrop create a traditional atmosphere, evoking the brand’s Czech origins.

Based on these elements, I built a visual concept that emphasizes the product, transforming it into a captivating visual experience.

The shooting process

Bringing the vision to life

Phase 02

Camera Settings
To capture every essential detail, I used:

Camera: Nikon Z8, 48 MP
Lens: Nikon Z mount 85mm f/1.2
Settings: f/8, ISO 64, shutter speed 1/160

The camera was mounted on a Peak Design tripod, positioned at a low angle to create a powerful and balanced image.

Lighting

Godox AD600 Pro: Used at 1/4 power with a small strip box and thick diffusion to illuminate the bottle and glass.
Godox AD400 Pro: Created a warm background with an orange gel at 1/2 power.
Godox AD200 Pro: Positioned with a grid to highlight the liquid in the glass, used at 1/128 power.

This setup was crucial to bringing the beer’s freshness to life and highlighting every detail of the bottle and glass.

Tips and Tricks: Crafting the perfect beer shot

In this project, we employed some intriguing techniques to achieve a polished, professional result. Here’s how we brought the scene to life:

The Frosty Look

That frosty condensation you see on the glass and bottle, giving it a “just out of the fridge” freshness, didn’t happen by chance. It required careful preparation. To achieve this effect, we used a combination of Varnish Gloss spray and a water-glycerin mix. The result was a realistic, dewy finish that added authenticity to the shot.

Perfecting the Foam

Creating that thick, creamy foam on the beer glass wasn’t as straightforward as it might seem. The final image was the result of multiple attempts and a bit of studio chaos, with beer splashing everywhere. The secret to achieving the ideal foam? Salt. After filling the glass with beer, we sprinkled in some salt, which produced abundant foam, perfect for the shoot—and it worked like magic!

The Golden Glow

To enhance the golden hue of the beer in both the glass and bottle, we lit the scene using glossy gold paper positioned strategically. The paper reflected the light source on the left side of the camera, creating a warm, luminous effect in the liquid. This subtle technique added depth and richness to the beer’s appearance.

Techniques We Used

Camera Setup
The camera was mounted on a tripod for stability, but we encountered a challenge: no matter the aperture we used, it was impossible to keep both the bottle and the glass in focus simultaneously. Using an 85mm lens meant dealing with a shallow depth of field, regardless of the f-stop.
Focus Stacking
To overcome this limitation, we opted for focus stacking. Over 20 images were captured, each focusing on different parts of the bottle and glass. These images were then combined to create the final shot, ensuring every detail was sharp and in focus.

This meticulous process turned a simple beer photo into a vibrant and captivating masterpiece!

Phase 03

Behind the scenes

Where the real magic happens

A photoshoot is never just about the gear—it’s about making all the details work seamlessly together. We experimented with lighting, tested dozens of angles, and poured the beer so many times we lost count.

What we did:

Perfect lighting: Soft light on the bottle and glass, avoiding harsh shadows.
Flawless pouring: The creamy foam and bubbles were the stars of this project.
Positioning: Everything was meticulously arranged, from every detail to each reflection.

Post production

Creating the final image

Enhancing the Details

Once the shoot was done, the real magic unfolded in post-production.

Color correction: Warm tones were adjusted to emphasize the beer’s golden hue and the bottle’s texture.
Details: The droplets and foam were subtly enhanced to maintain a natural, fresh look.
Editing tools: Lightroom, Photoshop, and Luminar Neo, we used just the right amount to make the product shine.

Phase 04