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 

[itsfi]

A couple rollerball perfume pics for November's Photography Challenge: Fragrance

Photo Details:

Spoiler

Product(s):	Maison Margiela 'REPLICA' Autumn Vibes Travel Spray 0.34 oz/ 10 mL
Camera:	iPhoneX
Background:	Table
Prop(s):	An infinity scarf and some faux leaves
Other Material:	N/A
Lighting:	Natural, indirect light; the table is situated in front of a window
Editing:	Rotated so that the photo was right-side up & cropped

Photo Details:

Spoiler

Product(s):	Ellis Brooklyn APRÈS Eau de Parfum Travel Spray 0.33 oz/ 10 mL
Camera:	iPhoneX
Background:	Table
Prop(s):	Sweater and a gift-wrapping topper / accessory
Other Material:	N/A
Lighting:	Natural, indirect indoor lighting. Window to the left of the table.
Editing:	Cropped to get a closer look at the bottle

[Saradestin]

I LOVE these pictures @itsfi ! You killed it! 😍

[itsfi]

Awww, thank you @Saradestin! These were the shots that started a seasonal theme with travel size sprays. 😃

[sister13]

Perfect seasonal photos!! @itsfi Beautiful!

[itsfi]

Thank you @sister13! So much easier to find warm and cozy props for the fall and winter fragrances.

[CynthieLu]

These are excellent photographs @itsfi 

You have a great eye for taking pictures. I love your backdrop, the way you placed you props and the product. It's a beautiful vibe 😃

[itsfi]

Thank you @CynthieLu! Cozy vibes for some cool weather scents! 🧣 

[fatimamummy]

Beautiful photos @itsfi  Your props go so well with the holidays and fall theme.

[itsfi]

Thank you @fatimamummy! I was pleased how well the props worked out for fit and function - the clothing props were a functional and aesthetically appealing way to keep the rollerballs from rolling off the table. 

[tsavorite]

These are very appealing photos, @itsfi !

[itsfi]

Thank you @tsavorite! Always fun to photograph these beauties. 📷 

[CookieGirl1]

@itsfi I love the backgrounds that you chose!

[itsfi]

@CookieGirl1, thank you. I’m all for using what I have readily available to me or repurposing things for props. 

[ather]

@itsfi  Wow! You are a pro!!! 

[itsfi]

@ather, thank you. You’re always so kind. 🥰 I really feel that being active on this thread has taught me so much and helped to refine the way I approach taking photos. So thankful for these opportunities to learn. 

[Sunnysmom]

Your pics are so amazing @itsfi and I learn so much from all you guys! 💞

[itsfi]

@Sunnysmom, thank you. I’m always impressed by everyone’s talent here! Love how generous and gracious these BIC beauties are with sharing their amazing photos. 📷 It’s helpful and inspiring. 🥰

[Samtian]

@itsfi Ooh I love your themes!

[itsfi]

Thank you @Samtian! For a short while there, I had this subconscious habit 🤷🏻‍♀️ of pairing warm and fuzzy clothing apparel and something seasonal when taking photos of rollerball perfumes. 😆 Since these fit for fall and winter, I feel like I need to do something similar for spring and summer fragrances. lol. Adding it to my homework list! 😉 

[Samtian]

@itsfi Ah yeah! I can't wait to see!

[Kim888]

I keep meaning to smell that Ellis Brooklyn one @itsfi ! Lovely pictures !!!