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 with Jasmine, Tuberose, and Neroli 1 oz/ 30 mL 

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

[Titian06]

Great pic, @Sunnysmom !  Love all the red lipstick! 🥰💋💄

[Sunnysmom]

Thank you sweet @Titian06 ! 🥰

[Saradestin]

I love it @Sunnysmom !! both the picture and the amazing red lipstick collection! 💄💄💄❤️❤️❤️❤️ Jealous!! 

[Sunnysmom]

Thanks @Saradestin , bet we have some mutual favs! 😘

[Samtian]

Ooh am I slacking! For May we are doing eye shadow! Be it palettes, single shades, it doesn't matter! I had this idea to include classic books with my Storybook Cosmetics book shadows...but I didn't have enough room. 

Lighting- LED Lighting.

Equipment- Pixel 6. ( I think my Pixel 2 had a better camera haha.)

Eye shadow palettes- All Storybook Cosmetics- Robin Hood, Jane Eyre, Red Riding Hood, and Little Briar Rose. Spoiler shows the insides. ( Ok I lied, that's coming later after I resize the photos to fit)

[faeriegirl]

Love it @Samtian !❤️❤️❤️

[Samtian]

@faeriegirl Thank you!

[Saradestin]

Those are so beautiful @Samtian!! I love them! ❤️

[Samtian]

@Saradestin Thanks so much!

[Titian06]

@Samtian - I really like the covers of Storybook Cosmetics palettes! 💖💖💖  These are so pretty! 🥰

[Samtian]

@Titian06 They are so beautiful!

[lmaster]

@Samtian so creative!!! 😍

[Samtian]

@lmaster Thank you!

[itsfi]

Eyeshadow it is @Samtian! Excited to see what folks create. 

Ohhh, I love books and the Storybook Cosmetics palette get me every time. 

[Samtian]

@itsfi Thank you! I can't wait either!

[fatimamummy]

Before we move on to the next category, Here are a few shots for a relatively new brand OGEE. I will add some photo details and swatches in the spoiler for those who are interested.

Spoiler

Camera: Canon Rabel T7
Natural light , open window on the right side 
crop and colour adjustments ( exposure and white balance) through VSCO App

Swatches photo below was taken with my iPhone 12 Pro Max. I don’t want it to sound like a marketing effort so just putting it here in spoiler if anyone is interested in trying the brand , Ask me for discount code.

[Sunnysmom]

Beautiful @fatimamummy ! You take such amazing pics. (These look so nice and creamy. I bought one of their lipsticks and just love it. Like a balmy lip similar to Merit I thought but more color, less slick. How do you find these?) 

[Titian06]

Lovely pics, @fatimamummy ! 💖💖💖  Thanks for the swatches.  The colors look very nice. 💋

[itsfi]

Beautiful @fatimamummy! 😍 Echoing @Samtian's comments - love the staging and set up. 💓 

Thank you too for the swatches. They look creamy. I'll DM you for a discount code.

[Saradestin]

So gorgeous and professional @fatimamummy!! 😍😍

[Samtian]

Those are pretty! @fatimamummy