A Year of Beauty- Photography Challenge- Year 2

[Samtian]

June- What you see vs. what I see- These are super fun things for photographers to share. Sometimes it is mindblowing! I'll update with images soon. Had a accident at work and it hurt one of my eyes. But anyways! What they like to do is take an image, like what a parent would take at their kids shoot (behind the scenes) or what is called a pullback. A pullback is where you show the whole area around where you are taking the picture. And then you compare the pullback vs what you actually captured. For now you can Google this phrase- what you see vs what i see photography and look at the images to get an idea of what the theme this month is. 

I was originally going to do another theme but with it not being as hot as July gets I figured best to do this one, in case anyone wants to try outdoor things! These are really fun to do because they make you think about your surroundings. From people portraits to landscapes and everything in between. You can take incredible images no matter where you are! One of my mentors recently captured senior images at a line of bushes on the outside of a small park/car chop shop and you never would have guessed it with how amazing they looked.

Your challenge this month is to think outside of the box, unless you are already doing that! Show your behind the scene (bts)/pullback and your final image. 

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

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 

[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 Highlighter (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 

[Samtian]

@danielledanielle 😄 thank you!!!!

[Titian06]

Beautiful, @Samtian ! 🥰  You definitely achieved "soft and romantic-y"! 💖💖💖

[Samtian]

@Titian06 Thank you! ❤️

[itsfi]

@Samtian, this is beautiful.♥️  If you were going for soft and romantic, you most definitely achieved it with this photo. I love the additional items you used and their placement - they all add to the look and help to showcase the gorgeous highlighter! 😍

[Samtian]

@itsfi Thank you so much!!