Photo tip #4: Make a scene

Sometimes photographs need to be created to tell the story.

For my first book, I wanted to photograph Assistant Winemaker, Andy Slusarenko, working in the chemistry lab at 3 Rivers Winery near Walla Walla, Washington. We lined up the shot in the lab and had Andy seriously working to solve the winery's problems. But the shot didn't instantly say winery. The image could have been taken at the local sewage treatment plant.

So I moved Andy and his chemistry gear a few feet in front of the window into the cellar. I turned off the lights into the lab to add drama, used one small strobe with a blue gel behind Andy for that high-tech look and chicked.

Vola. Is that chemistry lab in a winery or what?