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 

[Titian06]

@itsfi - Actually, I like the original photo better!  The angled palette and brushes are great.  My eyes go right to the white tips of the brushes and then the brush handles.  Then I look at the wonderful palette.  BTW, what palette is this?  Those colors are right up my alley.  The small/close-up pic, my brain keeps trying to widen the space.  I personally don't like close-up closeups.  With that said, I can't believe how clear and in-focus the pic is!  My pics never come out like this.  You definitely have a gift! 😘

[itsfi]

@Titian06, ah, thank you. That is very kind of you to say. Lighting plays the biggest part for me when it comes to my pics. 📷 

Oh, I think you would looove the colors in this palette. It’s Lorac PRO Palette Noir. ♥️

[itsfi]

I keep my brushes in various places - drawers, brush rolls, and other fun things that I've converted or repurposed into a brush holder, like an empty candle jar, or a flower pot, like this one. 😁

Photo Details:

Spoiler

Product(s):	Mix of brushes from the Sephora Collection, Real Techniques, and Sonia Kashuk
Camera:	iPhone X
Background:	Table top
Prop(s):	A flower pot I turned into a brush holder
Other Material:	--
Lighting:	Natural, indoor lighting, early afternoon
Editing:	Cropped at the sides

[juliotani]

Super cute brush holder 😍

[katshepp]

I love this little pot! so cute- I use multiple little pots or else I get disorganized and can't see my brushes haha 

[itsfi]

Thank you @katshepp! 100% agree - it’s so helpful to be able to see our brushes, isn’t it?! I love using pots, candles, mason jars, vases, etc. to hold brushes. It’s a great way to repurpose things. 👍🏼 

[tsavorite]

@itsfi , This pot is perfect for holding your brushes!  Clever!  It's a nice photo!

[itsfi]

@tsavorite, thank you. I did initially pick up the pot with the idea of putting an ivy-like, pothos plant in there, but ummm... plans changed?! lol. 

[QueenMarceline]

@itsfi Aww I love this brush holder. How cute ❤️

[itsfi]

@QueenMarceline, thank you. It is fun to see this on my table when I get ready in the mornings.

[Samtian]

@itsfi ooh that is a pretty holder!

[itsfi]

@Samtian, thank you. I couldn't resist picking it up. 

[ather]

@itsfi  This is the cutest brush holder!!!!! 

[itsfi]

@ather, thank you! I filled the holder with some coffee beans to help the brushes stay upright, so it's nice to be able to get a whiff of coffee too. 😁

[Titian06]

Great pic, @itsfi ! 🥰  I love the flower pot! ❤🌷❤

[itsfi]

@Titian06, thank you! Maybe one day I'll end up using this for actual flowers 😂🤣😂 but it looks so fun to have the brushes in there.

[itsfi]

Oooh, I love brushes @Samtian and have an idea for a shot I'd like to try. Excited to see everyone's photos, though I have a feeling they may enable some more brush purchases! 😂 Here are some brush pics from past hauls. I'll fill in details about the shots another day.

Wayne Goss The Artist Collection

Hermes Blush Brush

Sonia G. The Lotus Set

Sonia G. Hinoki Set

[BlondeCafe]

These Wayne goss brushes look divine! What is the face feel like? Are they soft and spreadable on the skin, or more stiff and good for chiseling? Thanks! 

[itsfi]

Thank you @BlondeCafe! Most of the brushes are soft and easily spreadable; the Wayne Goss brushes feel wonderful on the skin. The contour brush from the Sonia G Lotus set has a little more stiffness to it; it doesn't feel scratchy on the skin but it's more firm.

[missy94612]

@itsfi 

Your brush collection is beautiful. Great photos.

[itsfi]

@missy94612, thank you! Makeup brushes is a fabulous rabbit hole to fall into. 😂