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 

[danielledanielle]

Hahaha, this is perfect @Samtian 

Pineapple and playfulness,

the glamour and gorgeousness of Gaga.

[Samtian]

@danielledanielle 😄 thank you so much!!

[tsavorite]

@Samtian , Great photo!

[Samtian]

@tsavorite Thank you!!

[Titian06]

Stunning pic, @Samtian ! 🤩  I thought it was a professional pic at first look.  Love the brushes you used, so pretty. 🥰

[Samtian]

@Titian06 😄 thank you so much! 

[itsfi]

@Samtian, wow! I love your layout here - the layering of the fabric, the Icons coffee book and those brushes is fun and artistic! 😍 I love how all the pieces have their own distinctive look and feel to them but tie in together seamlessly. You have such a great eye!

[Samtian]

@itsfi Thank you! I wanted something fun and colorful. 

[itsfi]

More highlighters! Meant to post this last week.

Photo Details:

Spoiler

Product(s):	Saie Glowy Super Gel Lightweight Dewy Multipurpose Illuminator (gratis); Hourglass Vanish™ Flash Highlighting Stick Champagne Flash; Charlotte Tilbury Mini Filmstar Bronze & Glow Contour Duo 0.12 oz/ 3.5 g
Camera:	iPhone X
Background:	Table top
Prop(s):	Orchid plant
Other Material:	Since the Charlotte Tilbury isn't just a highlighter, I guess the bronzer is also a prop? Lol.
Lighting:	Natural, morning light; window is right next to the table.
Editing:	Cropped, to get rid of a stray hair. 🤣

[tsavorite]

@itsfi ,

I like this photo!  Orchids elevate!

[itsfi]

Thank you @tsavorite! I love orchids. 💖 Surprisingly, I've been able to keep them alive for years. 

[Samtian]

@itsfi Ooh this is so pretty! This is what I need to do! Stop laying everything all ocd organized and try something artistic! 

[itsfi]

Thank you @Samtian! 😁 There's definitely a time and place for ocd organization and something artistic - and everything in between. You do know though, don't you, that it's this thread that has helped me to try different things with photography, placement of products and general overall look and feel of layouts and design?! 💖 If not, now you do, and let me just say a big thank you to you for starting this thread and for the BIC beauties who have shared their amazing photos. 💞

[Samtian]

@itsfi There is nothing better to hear than to hear that!! Thank you!

[Titian06]

Very pretty and nicely set up, @itsfi ! 🥰

[itsfi]

Thank you @Titian06! 😃 I had a heck of a time getting the Saie to stay put; it helped to have the other highlighters help anchor it in place. 😂 

[Samtian]

Oh boi do I love highlighters!!! I saw this one and just knew I had to do something soft and romantic-y. 

[juliotani]

Ahhh I love theis picture and how you set it up 😍

[tsavorite]

@Samtian ,

This is a lovely photo!  Nice mood setting!

[Samtian]

@tsavorite Thank you so much! ❤️

[danielledanielle]

Ooh, I love it.  It's Bridgerton without being Bridgerton @Samtian