A Year of Beauty- Photography Challenge- Year 2

[Samtian]

September/October is here so break time is over!

Time to start with some fundamentals. Photography has it's own set of "rules". Which of course are meant to be broken, but it's really helpful to know some basics. Starting with the rule of 3rds in composition. What you do is place your subject on one of the "imaginary" lines that cut a photo into thirds ( 9 sections). I do this rule often, but sometimes parents don't like it in their pictures and want the subjects centered. Included is images with the lines showing. Just basic set up so you can see it. One of the easiest ways to get something on one of the lines is to crop it down. When you crop an image you usually get the lines that show up, using those lines tells you where the "thirds" are, and just line your subject up with one of them. 

If you want to get really technical I encourage you to look up the Golden Ratio and learn about it. It has many names and it is way too mathematical for my brain to comprehend. To my knowledge I don't think I have ever taken a golden ratio image. I have golden triangle but not ratio. Check it out! photoworkout dot com/golden-ratio-photography/  

Hopefully you can see the lines...I should have thought it out and used a dark background. 

What a great first year we had!! Even if I dropped the ball sometimes! I decided to change things up this year with the themes. They will be a little more challenging this year.

2023-

April- DOF 2 images.

May- Flash/Artificial Light.

June- What you see vs. What I see

July- Break

August- Break

September/October- Rule of 3rds.

2022 challenges-

April- Lipstick

May- Eye Shadow

June- Primer/Foundation/Concealer/CC/BB

July- Highlighters

August- Brushes

September- Sheet Masks

October- Hair Care

November- Fragrance

December- Nail Polish

January- Blush/Bronzer

February- Candles/Wax Melts/ Diffusers

The challenge and "rules"-

1. Flat lays and staged photos only. I'll post examples below. But no faces or people allowed in your photos. (Though you can include photographs).

2. All photos you take must be your own. 

3. Post as many images as you want, you have a whole month to get creative with each theme. Post one, post everyday, doesn't matter.

4. Let's talk gear and products! Tell us about your image. List the products and colors, talk to us about your concept and how it came to be, taken with your phone or DSLR? 

Here are some helpful reads- digital-photography-school dot com/flat-lay-photography/  and digital-photography-school dot com/tips-for-getting-started-with-still-life-photography/

Here are some of my example images I've taken in the past-

Gucci Bloom Eau De Toilette 1 oz/ 30 mL 

Floral Street Sunflower Pop Eau De Parfum Travel Spray 0.34 oz/ 10 mL 

[Ispend2much6]

@SportyGirly125. Very"sweet" haha thanks!

[itsfi]

@Ispend2much6, jelly beans and lipstick. Two things I love! All in one frame. 

[Ispend2much6]

@itsfi   Isn't it amazing how many varieties of jelly beans are available now?  I remember when there was only one type- the traditional kind.

[itsfi]

@Ispend2much6, yes, I grew up only knowing about Brach’s jelly beans! Then there was an explosion of jelly beans, including within Brach’s. Easter is always a good time to get reacquainted with jelly beans. 😉 

[Skunk12puzzola]

This is pretty, omg!! lippie 💄 and candies 🍬🍭 in the same photo, wow!! @Ispend2much6 

[Ispend2much6]

@Skunk12puzzola. It's a dream come true!

[fatimamummy]

This is delicious @Ispend2much6

[Ispend2much6]

@fatimamummy. Yes, yes they were. 😊 Thanks!

[eshoe]

Yummy, @Ispend2much6.… we are on the same wavelength!

[Ispend2much6]

@eshoe   Seems like we need an extra energy boost. 🙂

[eshoe]

…or two. Or three @Ispend2much6. I have not picked up any Easter candy yet, but those jelly beans are looking mighty delicious 😋 

[Ispend2much6]

@eshoe  These are the Dunkin Donut jelly beans I bought from CVS.  Online, some stores may have them.  The flavors are: french vanilla, salted caramel, hazelnut, and pecan something.  They all taste like coffee drinks!

[eshoe]

Oh I did not need to know that, @Ispend2much6. Not one bit! This is a great time of the year.

[Titian06]

Love it, @Ispend2much6 ! 💖💖💖

[Ispend2much6]

@Titian06. Thanks!

[Saradestin]

So beautiful and sweet @Ispend2much6 ! When I saw your picture at the Alluring April 2022 Hauls, I said to myself “I hope the is posting this beautiful picture in the Photography Challenge!” and here it is! 😃😃😍😍 I love it!

[Ispend2much6]

@Saradestin  Could you be any sweeter?  I think not. 💕

[Saradestin]

As I don’t have cute things to create elaborated beautiful pictures, I present this minimalistic approach: just lipstick and it’s beautiful reflections. 

 

 

 

[Samtian]

@Saradestin Whoowee. That reflection is perfection! The shadows and lighting gorgeous! Who needs props when you can do this!?

[Saradestin]

Thank you so much @Samtian ! You are so sweet! 😘😘🤗🤗🤗

[faeriegirl]

Cool picture @Saradestin!