Cosmetics

Goal: The goal of this project was to create several different images for two types of cosmetics: lipstick and blush.

Challenge(s): Lighting both highly reflective packaging and glossy wax-like materials in the same frame. Keep the brand clearly visible. Working with open containers that have magnetic closures. Similar images should still have unique elements to separate them from the others.

Solution: There are four separate solutions to this project: two for the lipstick and two for the blush. Both lipstick shots are flat lay styled, The first uses a complimentary color paper background and surrounds the main subject with two additional gold tubes. Lighting from the proper angle allows the light to reflect off the tubes on either side lighting the sides of the center subject. The second lipstick image uses a sheet of gold satin fabric that enhances the luxurious feel of the subject and compliments the color of the lipstick. A large, diffuse light source softens the light across the fabric and the subject while allowing light to move into the valleys of the fabric folds.

The blush solutions also include a flat lay for one and uses a low-angle vertical approach for the other. The flat lay image involved the caps and bodies of the containers that contain magnets to close. The magnetic poles repelling and attracting each other proved challenging when trying to align all the separate parts for the shot. A hard light was used to cast the hard shadows form he subject onto a complimentary color background. the low angle vertical images were all taken with a one-color background with the “window blind” effect added in post processing.

Result: A collection of high quality images that communicate the desired aspects of the subjects in four different ways. Each image can be used for a variety of publications, advertisements, flyers, social media and other materials. All images have space for marketing and description text for use in any number of campaigns.