As I've been out of still photography for several years and need some updated sample shots, I've been giving myself some self-assignments.

Yesterday, I did a beer shoot and am unsure of whether or not I want to add a bit of humor to it via the text. Some here have said it's funny or cute, others have said that a portfolio/sample shot is not the time to flirt with people's strong feelings on any topic.

I'm planning on reshooting this to add a little more "mist" to the bottle, clean up the logo and maybe put some spurs in the foreground and a Stetson in the background (ISO Props!) but wanted to get some random thoughts on whether or not the text should be different. I realize that feelings will be different across the wide swath that Axiom user's encompass!

If you have a strong opinion that you would rather not post, please PM me!

I don't find it offensive, but I see how some might. Besides, don't cowboys drink Budweiser or Coors?

And if you'd allow me an artistic critique... the strong dark reflection running down the neck of the bottle looks a little odd and distracting. Perhaps a fill flash behind the camera would remedy that?

I really love the grit and texture on the horizontal surface and the overall color of the shot. Nice work!

I have to say the gamble isn't worth it.

For a slight chuckle that may be gained squeezing another joke out of Brokeback, you're risking someone taking offense to it. The movie was one of those things where everyone had an opinion on it, whether they saw it or not... I mean, it's not as offensive as using an image of the crucifixation to sell 10 penny nails but some people are an eye wandering around looking for a thumb.

Bren R.

I think most people with a sense of humor wouldn't find it offensive, but there's also plenty of people who are sensitive toward the subject. Also, put in that context, the neck of the bottle comes across as a phallic symbol (well, to my sick mind anyway! ).

Regardless, that beer looks tasty right about now. I love Killian's Red!

I don't get it.

I agree, I need a beer. Maybe I'll take off work early and stop down to Lucky's.

I'm not sure I get it either, what's the correlation between Brokeback Mountain and Killian's? I could see it keeping some less tolerant soles from drinking the beer for fear of being labeled.

Pretty subtle, so I wouldn't worry. Pretty much anything is going to be offensive to somebody. The theme of the picture makes me think it is probably not a good idea to offer to push someone's stool in at a cowboy bar.

In reply to:

---

the strong dark reflection running down the neck of the bottle looks a little odd and distracting.

---

Peter:
That bothers me as well and it's one of the strongest reasons I want to reshoot it. I forgot to mention that!

In reply to:

---

I mean, it's not as offensive as using an image of the crucifixation to sell 10 penny nails

---

You really need to do standup, Bren! It also occurred to me that the Brokeback reference is already getting a bit old, and six months from now won't be relevant at all. If I DO decide to keep the text at the moment, it's likely I'll change it in a few months anyway!

In reply to:

---

the neck of the bottle comes across as a phallic symbol

---

Mary: I'm shocked! But, ummmm, yeah, the same thought crossed my mind!

In reply to:

---

what's the correlation between Brokeback Mountain and Killian's?

---

There isn't any. I just wanted to drop in some text and thought that since I was working towards a "cowboy theme"……

In reply to:

---

it is probably not a good idea to offer to push someone's stool in at a cowboy bar.

---

Shouldn't you be golfing or something???

Bren .... I don't think 10 penny nails would have held.