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]

Stunning @fatimamummy !

[fatimamummy]

Thank you @Ispend2much6 

[eshoe]

Oh wow, @fatimamummy. This is so striking. I love your use of lighting. 

[fatimamummy]

Thank you @eshoe It was a good sunny day 

[itsfi]

Beautiful @fatimamummy. I’ve been staring at it whilst sipping on my morning coffee. Enjoying it like art (because it is). ♥️ 

[fatimamummy]

You are so kind @itsfi ! I can’t tell how much this comment means to me ❤️

[Saradestin]

Isn’t it @itsfi ? It could perfectly be hanging on a wall! I find it so perfect and beautiful!

[itsfi]

100% agree @Saradestin! I like how the light hits it at certain angles and the darkness created in other angles. 😃 Lots of talent on this thread.

[Saradestin]

Amazing picture @fatimamummy!! Spectacular! 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

[fatimamummy]

Thank you @Saradestin 

[eshoe]

Spoiler

The Benefit Cosmetics California Kissin' ColorBalm Lip Balm reminds me of candy, which makes me think of caramel 🥰 

Natural indoor lighting, taken with my phone, a modest 11. 

[Samtian]

@eshoe Love it! Candy and Lipstick?! What more does one need in life?!

[eshoe]

Hmmmm @Samtian, is this a rhetorical question 😉 

[Samtian]

@eshoe Yes haha. 

[faeriegirl]

Great photo @eshoe! I love that dish❤️

[eshoe]

Thank you, @faeriegirl! It’s. A little spring-y:)

[lmaster]

@eshoe extremely appealing photo!! 🤤

[eshoe]

Thank you for the inspiration, @lmaster - you so generously gifted me the lipstick!

[SportyGirly125]

@eshoe wooo so sweet 😍

[eshoe]

Awww thank you @SportyGirly125! Candy is plentiful this time of the year. I am eyeing those Trader Joe’s jelly beans, too.

[danielledanielle]

This is too cute @eshoe