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 @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. 😂

[tsavorite]

@itsfi ,

It's so easy to love brushes!  Hard to resist!  Nice Photos.  😊

[itsfi]

That is so true @tsavorite! I've sorted been pulled in by brushes in the last few years. Like you said, so easy to love and hard to resist. These are soft, but not too soft. Thank you❣️

[Sunnysmom]

Your brush collection is so good @itsfi ! Love the pics! 💞

[itsfi]

@Sunnysmom, thank you. Brushes have been the fun, new rabbit hole I've found myself falling down. 🕳

[CookieGirl1]

I love all of your brush pics, @itsfi!  Definitely artistic placement and the brushes themselves are gorgeous.