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 

[Samtian]

@itsfi You are too kind thank you! Yep its a feather pen! I was bummed it arrived bent though ha. I can't wait to see what you come up with! 

[Samtian]

Next challenge is up! I misplaced one of my lighting cords so I'll upload my images tomorrow after I find it. 

[itsfi]

Last one for blush / bronzer; meant to upload this last night.

Photo Details: 

Spoiler

Product(s):	Chanel blush - Tweed Evanescent
Camera:	iPhone X
Background:	Table
Prop(s):	Chanel shopping bag, box and a couple of Chanel products
Other Material:	N/A
Lighting:	Artificial light, indoors
Editing:	Adjusted tone to account for artificial indoor lighting; cropped bottom and right side

[PrettyPaint]

@itsfi  That blush is gorgeous! Lovely photo.

[itsfi]

Thank you @PrettyPaint! It’ll be interesting to see what shades Chanel will have for its tweed blushes this year, compared to past releases.

[CynthieLu]

Oooh Chanel is getting some love in this picture 🥰 lovely work @itsfi 

[itsfi]

Thank you @CynthieLu! Interestingly enough, of all the products in the frame, it's the blush that gets reached for the least. 😄 I need to put that blush to use. 

[CynthieLu]

Lol It's funny how that works 😋

It's really pretty @itisfi it needs some time to shine 💖

[itsfi]

Yes, it does @CynthieLu. I've been better over the last 2 - 2-1/2 years l with hauls and with making more use of what I have, but there are a few handful from years past that could use a lot more attention and that should get a lot more love, like this Chanel tweed blush and the Givency bronze below. 😁

[Samtian]

@itsfi This is so fancy! I love it!

[itsfi]

Thank you @Samtian! The blush was from a while back, when I wore blush more often and when I couldn't get enough of the fancy. I probably still can't get enough of the fancy but I've slowed my roll 😆 Well, I've slowed it down a little. Hahaha! 

[Kim888]

Ooh I’m jealous of your tweed blush @itsfi - it’s so pretty ! 

[itsfi]

Thank you @Kim888! I'm slowly going back through some of my products again and deciding whether to declutter or keep it for a shop my stash, or, if I've never used them, to donate or rehome them.

[itsfi]

A minimalist photo set up 

Photo Details:

Spoiler

Product(s):	Givenchy Les Saisons Healthy Glow Powder Floral Edition Bronzer
Camera:	iPhoneX
Background:	Table
Prop(s):	Parts of a floral decor piece
Other Material:	None
Lighting:	Artificial indoor lighting
Editing:	None

[Samtian]

@itsfi So pretty!

[itsfi]

@Samtian, taking this photo was a reminder that I need to actually put this product to use. 😬 Staring at it isn't going to do that. 😅 This is going in the shop my stash bin for makeup. 

[Samtian]

@itsfi That's why I can't shop for the fancy stuff, I'd have to get two of each. 

[JoSometimes]

I love the floral theme you’ve created with the vines and the bronzer’s pattern @itsfi!

[itsfi]

Thank you @JoSometimes! The detailing of the floral pattern on bronzer stands out beautifully on its own. I tried adding other florals with it but they clashed and eventually decided on just the bronzer and a little bit of leaves peeling out. 

[CynthieLu]

Lovely photography @itsfi ooh the shade and the branch, somehow make the bronzer stand out more 🤩 magic!

[itsfi]

Thank you @CynthieLu. It was hard to find a prop that didn’t compete with the design on the bronzer so I ended up just keeping it very simple.