The images were taken with AE locked to AF.
Focus point was the mug (IIRC)
EXIF
[
Overview ]
Creation date: 10/2/2011 19:05
Camera: PENTAX K-x
Lens: smc PENTAX-DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL II
Focal length: 55 mm (equiv. 82 mm)
Aperture: F5.6
Exposure time: 1/100"
ISO speed rating: 1250/32°
Program: Aperture Priority
Metering Mode: Pattern
White Balance: Auto
Focus Mode: AF-S
Image Stabilizer: stabilized
Noise Reduction: Off
Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
Focus point was the Lamp
EXIF
[
Overview ]
Creation date: 10/2/2011 19:05
Camera: PENTAX K-x
Lens: smc PENTAX-DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL II
Focal length: 55 mm (equiv. 82 mm)
Aperture: F5.6
Exposure time: 1/100"
ISO speed rating: 200/24°
Program: Aperture Priority
Metering Mode: Pattern
White Balance: Auto
Focus Mode: AF-S
Image Stabilizer: stabilized
Noise Reduction: Off
Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
So I have read that people will expose for the brightest portion and push up shadows in photoshop with the shadow/highlight option. I tried that, but it didn't seem as real as the picture with the focus point on the mug.