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 

[itsfi]

I would hardly say you were slacking off, Samtian! You've been working hard and a lot. Sometimes that doesn't leave a lot of time for other things. 

I'm sorry you're not happy with these pics. I wonder though if you aren't your hardest critic. I like both your photos and they're actually giving me inspiration for pics to do this month. The set up and props on the blush photo is creative and smart. I love the photo / postcard of the contents of a vanity table in the backdrop of a set up that looks like it's showcasing the contents of a vanity table with the perfume, brush, blush, makeup bag. It looks great against the marble background. 😍

Love the black-and-white of the wax melts photo. And I'm particularly fond of how you laid out / placed that feather pen (is it a pen) - genius. Very clever. The pen looks like it's part of the design / pattern on the notepad and the black-and-white motif and shading can, at certain points, mask the feather - it rests against the marble and is positioned in such a way that it nearly blends into the marble. Very cool @Samtian!

[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!