Buying Beer Pictures: Is It Legal?

There are a variety of websites that offer pictures of beer for sale. For example, iStock offers more than 550,000 beer stock photos, including pictures of beer halls, beer glasses, and people drinking beer. Pixabay also offers over 3,500 free beer images that can be downloaded and used for any project. In addition, iStock offers over 860 pictures of men buying beer, including men of various ages and ethnicities purchasing beer in supermarkets and liquor stores. These images are available as royalty-free photos and videos. While some people choose to buy pictures of beer, others enjoy taking their own beertography photos to share on social media platforms such as Instagram.

Stock photos of beer

These stock photos can include pictures of beer halls, beer glasses, people drinking beer in bars and at parties, close-ups of beer cans, photos of kegs of ale, and wide-angle shots of barrels lined up at beer festivals. There are also images of people buying beer in supermarkets and liquor stores.

If you're looking to take your own beer photos, there are several tips available online. These include paying attention to your background, using natural light, and switching up your angles.

Beer photography tips

Camera and Lens Choice

Most DSLRs and mirrorless cameras work great for beer photography. Bottles and glasses are still life, so you'll be able to get away with a mid-level camera unless your images are for billboards. The lens is the most important piece of kit for this type of photography—you'll generally need one free of distortion to keep the product true to life. Standard lenses are a good choice as they produce a natural-looking image.

Lighting

Natural or available light is a good choice for beer photography as it gives a more organic feel. Beer is also naturally warm in colour, so the warmth from natural lighting will enhance your shot. If you're going for a studio shot, a ring light or a continuous light soft box is preferable to see the lighting as you set it up and eliminate reflections.

Settings

Beer doesn't tend to move, so you can set your camera to One Shot mode to set up your images and focus without fear of the focus shifting. Using a tripod means you can use a lower ISO and shutter speed to reduce noise.

Angles and Backgrounds

Play around with different angles and backgrounds to make your photos unique. Clean up your background to avoid cool shots being ruined by an electrical outlet or dirty dishes.

Composition

Let your surroundings inspire you. Look for interesting shadows or backlight your glass with the sun. Choose what you want your image to communicate and have an idea of what you want to execute visually.

Styling Kit

You'll need a spraying device with a mixture of glycerin and water to give warm beer a chilled look. A wooden chopstick is great for stirring the beer, as it has an enzyme that helps create a frothy head. Masking tape can be used to mask off the top of the glass before spraying to avoid a frosting effect where the head is.

Reflections

Beer in cans, bottles, and glasses will all reflect light differently. Cans are the easiest to photograph, followed by bottles, then glasses. Pay attention to reflections and be prepared to move lights around to find the perfect configuration.

Buying beer in a supermarket

When buying beer in a supermarket, there are several factors to consider to ensure you get the best possible product. Firstly, it is important to check the freshness of the beer, especially if you are buying IPAs, pale ales, or other hoppy beers. Look for the "bottled-on" or "best-by" date on the packaging and avoid beer that is within two months of its "best-by" date. For IPAs and pale ales, it is recommended to not purchase beer that was bottled more than a month ago.

Temperature is also a crucial factor when buying beer. As a general rule, avoid buying IPAs and other hoppy beers that have been stored at room temperature. The warm climate can cause hop oils, which give beers their fruity and piney flavours, to lose their potency, resulting in a bitter-tasting beer. Therefore, always opt for refrigerated beer options when purchasing these styles.

While mix-your-own six-packs may seem appealing, it is best to avoid them in supermarkets as the single bottles may have been sitting on the shelf for a while and could be past their prime. Instead, stick to pre-packaged six-packs from reputable national brands or large craft breweries, as they are more likely to be fresh due to higher sales volume.

When in doubt, don't be afraid to seek assistance from the supermarket staff. Talk to the person in charge of the beer section to inquire about shipment dates, new arrivals, and recommendations. They may even have access to special releases or limited-edition beers stored in the back for interested customers.

Lastly, consider the reputation of the supermarket when it comes to their beer selection. Some stores, like Whole Foods, have established relationships with local breweries and distributors, offering a diverse range of fresh and interesting beers. So, don't judge a book by its cover; even a supermarket not primarily focused on beer may surprise you with its selection.

Beer images on social media

There is a growing trend of people taking and sharing photos of beer on social media. This trend is particularly noticeable on Instagram, with hashtags like #beertography and #craftbeer amassing millions of posts. For many, it's a way to showcase the cool breweries they're visiting, interesting food pairings, and fun beer festivals.

While some may worry about the implications of posting such content online, especially regarding career prospects, new research suggests that posting a picture of yourself drinking a beer no longer hurts your career. Over 44% of US businesses use social media to screen applicants, but a case study by Fama found that the appearance of alcohol on a person's social media had little to no effect on their job performance. In fact, it may be counterproductive to screen applicants based on alcohol consumption, as it is so common, and most employers don't care about seeing such images.

However, it is still important to be mindful of what you post and remember that employers are looking at your social media presence. It's best not to go overboard with party pictures, as they may become concerned if getting drunk is the only thing you share. Additionally, bigoted comments and mentions of illegal drugs are significant red flags for employers.

For those looking to improve their beer photography skills, here are some tips from the pros:

• Pay attention to your background and switch it up. Play with different angles and clean up your background to avoid distractions like electrical outlets or dirty dishes.
• Let your surroundings inspire you. Consider the colours of the sunset, the clouds, the sky, and grab a beer that matches it.
• Light is essential. Look for interesting shadows or backlight your glass with the sun. The golden hour is a great time to capture long shadows.
• Make the frame interesting. Consider lighting, backgrounds, and surface textures to create a visually appealing image.
• Have a story. Provide context for your photo, whether it's documenting the beer-making process, capturing a moment at a brewery event, or showcasing a gorgeous sunrise.
• Have a central character. Create a clear focus for your image to avoid trying to communicate too much in one photo.

Beer pictures and copyright

There are many websites that offer pictures of beer for sale or for free. For example, iStock offers more than 860 "man buying beer" stock photos and images available for purchase, or for free with a subscription. Freepik also offers free beer images, which they suggest could be used for an Oktoberfest-themed menu or birthday celebration.

If you are looking for free images, Pexels offers more than 4,000 beer photos, while Pixabay has more than 3,500 free beer images.

When it comes to copyright, many of the free images offered on these sites are royalty-free, meaning that you can use them without having to pay royalties or licence fees. However, it is always important to check the specific licence details for each image, as they may have certain restrictions on how they can be used. For example, some images may be for editorial use only, meaning they cannot be used for commercial purposes.

Additionally, if you are planning to take your own beer pictures, it is important to be aware of any potential copyright issues that may arise. For example, if you are taking photos of branded beer bottles or cans, be mindful of any logos or trademarks that may be visible. In some cases, you may need to obtain permission from the brand or brewery before using the images for commercial purposes.

Frequently asked questions