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 

[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!!

[itsfi]

This was a photo I posted to the hauls thread a few weeks ago. I liked how the light reflected off the product. 

Photo Details: 

Spoiler

Product:	Victoria Beckham Beauty Reflect Highlighter Stick - Pearl
Camera:	iPhone X
Background:	Table top
Prop(s):	Product box
Other Material:	None
Lighting:	Natural; window to the right of the product. About 90 minutes before sunset.
Editing:	Rotated photo so that it’s upright and cropped.

[Sunnysmom]

Love this @itsfi ! Gorg. 

[itsfi]

Thank you @Sunnysmom! The highlighter stick and sunlight did all the work, really. Loving this VBB highlighter stick - it truly does “reflect” the light. 😃 That was really noticeable based on your swatch of it compared to mine on other threads. However the light catches it produces a pretty highlight but it’s fun that it reflects differently depending on how the light hits it. 

[Sunnysmom]

Def true @itsfi ! She’s a sneaky little one, this Reflect! 🤩

[itsfi]

@Sunnysmom😂🤣😂