Before; (image is huge so i made it a link)
http://i.imgur.com/MwCHc.jpg



After;

A few things

- The lighting of the room does not make sense in relation to the bottle (The board at the back has a second primary light source on it)
This itself voids the need for the 'darkened instagram' edges

- The reflection of the bottle should have been left alone as the original image. This gives the sense of false surface texture of the table
You can see how the light around the reflection of the bottle doesn't act the same way at all. To put it simply, If the bottle makes a complete reflection in the table, then so should everything else. The table should just act as a dull mirror in that case

-The perspective should have been left alone, and more emphasis put on the bottom of the bottle
By that I mean, The bottle should have remained the same size, same position, covering the same amount of background. The background's a key distraction point if the main thing you're trying to sell here is the radiant bottle

-The rest is just blending issues, as the bottle is transparent, AND rounded. That should completely change the way we see the light inside of it.

More tutorials for better results m8, but i don't hate this
Just keep at it

This post was edited by TheShattered on Aug 8 2012 08:31pm

One of the most important things with photo manipulations is atmosphere, its key. You have to make what ever you add look good and natural. First, I would suggest removing the dark ominous border light thing or make it less obvious. Second, their is a reflection on the table that doesn't look right because the effects don't follow to the reflection. Third, I think you just need more practice with photoshop in general. Once you learn every or most aspects of photoshop you can then use to tools to do what ever you want. Practice, practice, practice and more practice.

One other thing your starting photos and/or stocks also affect the outcome. For example if your starting photograph was better lit like a low-key photography like this one,

You would have more freedom as far a lighting goes. In your photography I'm going to suppose that the light source was the sun from the outside and the way its reflecting off everything. Sometimes that's not the best.

This is a good starting point just keep going, you'll get better and better. Just don't quit.

thanks guys; these really help!
these arnt just some 'tuts bro' replies; thanks again! :] ill fix this up and post again hopefully.

also; i didnt really go off a tutorial or anything here; i just kinda thought of an idea and went with it.
from your replies i think i need to work on;
- atmosphere / global lighting of the room;
- bottle reflection & theme in the bottle with it being transparent;
- blending

- got rid of 'instagram edges'
- tried a more natural lighting
-fixed the bottle reflection
*as far as the lightning in the bottle and the blending of a more natural setting; well im too tired for that right now.



This post was edited by Trig on Aug 9 2012 01:49am

something still seems.. 'off' about the bottle thought. i'm going to try to use original tomorrow and do as shattered said and put more emphasis on the bottom of the bottle; and learn a few new blending / lighting techniques. NIGHT.

The face of the guy looks like it's just slapped in the background.
His hair and his left ear doesn't look quite right.
Blend them nicely to make it look natural.

did anyone mention that looks like a dick yet?

will do :]