A Year of Beauty- Photography Challenge- Year 2

[Samtian]

May- Flash/Artificial Light! Pop-up flash, on camera, off camera, light boxes, flash from your cell phone, and on and on! There are so many ways to light an image beyond the natural sunlight. Flash can help you take pictures during anytime of day, even at night. Flash is something I've been trying to learn myself. Right now the pop-up/harsh/paparazzi type of flash is having it's moment in wedding/couples photography. 

For on and off camera flashes there are a lot of different things called modifiers that help control the light so to speak. You can also use things like reflectors (tin foil, those things you put in your car windshield during the day, a white paper board etc.) to help bounce light and make it more even, you can use sheets to diffuse the light to make it not so harsh as well. I know a lot just use cell phones, so you can also use like a lamp or flashlight to make light, and use a sheet of reflector to help. You can get really creative with this! I was reading that there does appear to be some flashes you can connect to your cell phone as well. 

So the task! Create your images with artificial light! No matter how you do it, or what you use, don't just depend on available light like the sun or your lighting in the house (though it's artificial that's too easy). I'll be posting mine shortly. backlightblog  dot com/flash-photography-on-iphone

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.

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

I've been thinking for a while now about creating a challenge. And why not mix my two favorite things in life!? Beauty and photography. As some of you know I am a photographer on the side. But my creativity for things like this are horrible! Each month we will have a different theme, and your challenge is to incorporate the theme into a creative photo!

This challenge is going to be a little different, because you won't be creating looks! Starting in April, but I'd love to get your input and if this is something you would be interested in participating in. I thought about doing prizes and voting, we can still vote for the best if you guys want. But with all the legal jargon needed for prizes I decided I didn't want to mess with that. I might send  unicorn mail throughout to those who participate often though 😼 PS- They make for great filler posts on your social media too. And active participation in the forum, reviews, and gallery ( don't forget to post your challenge photos there too!) can possibly help your chances of getting gratis...like those two beautiful perfumes I got as a gratis below *wink wink*.  

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 eau de toilette spray 

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

[Saradestin]

Such a beautiful photo @itsfi ! 😍😍😍

[itsfi]

Thank you @Saradestin! 😁 I'm slowly getting in some time to take photos - it's a nice creative outlet for me. 

[Titian06]

Very pretty, @itsfi ! 💖💖💖

[itsfi]

Thank you @Titian06! 😁 It's been a lot of fun for me to see everyone's photos and to try different techniques.

[Samtian]

@itsfi This is really pretty! I also love the light reflection!

[itsfi]

Thank you so much @Samtian! 💖 I really do find lighting to be so important for me when it comes to my own shots. 

[Samtian]

July is highlighter month! It's been a super busy non-stop month for me, mom had surgery and I have been taking care of her, work, work work, sickness, and more editing ha! I am hoping to get a few done in the next week or so!

[Sunnysmom]

Thinking about you @Samtian ! 💞

[Samtian]

@Sunnysmom Thank you!

[Sunnysmom]

PS @Samtian , I’m working on some shots for highlighters , it’s so tricky! Send help!! Lol lol 

[Samtian]

@Sunnysmom haha good luck! I'm going to do some tomorrow!

[tsavorite]

@Samtian ,

I hope that your Mom is doing better.  Recovering from surgery can be very hard.  I hope that everything gets better soon for you both!

[Samtian]

@tsavorite Thank you!!

[Saradestin]

Oh no @Samtian ! I am so sorry. I hope your mom fully recovers very soon and you get to have some time off to relax!!

[Samtian]

@Saradestin Thank you! My work shuts down for a few weeks at the end of this month so I should get a breather then!

[Skunk12puzzola]

@Samtian wish you and your mom the best 😘💕

[Samtian]

@Skunk12puzzola Thank you so much <3!

[lmaster]

@Samtian also,,, I've been so so crazy busy with the kids this summer,,, but next month when they go back to school,,I will definitely be more involved in your thread 😊💕

[Samtian]

@lmaster I can't wait!

[lmaster]

@Samtian hope everything gets better!!

[Samtian]

@lmaster Thank you!