Flat-lay photography is a pretty big trend, and it doesn’t seem like it’s going to go away. You can see flat lay pictures everywhere, especially on Instagram and other social media platforms. There is a good reason for its popularity, however; It’s attractive, minimalist, and shows the subject quickly and effectively.
If you are a lifestyle blogger this is probably the best way to showcase your products, groceries, clothing, bags, jewelry, cosmetics, and more. In addition to blogging, flat-lay photography is also beneficial in the e-commerce space. Styling is the main feature as visually appealing and eye-catching photos of products attract customers.
Flat-lay photography is versatile and useful in many ways. Brands use it to promote their products. It can also be used for the kitchen ware by setting the table with different dishes. From small ecommerce businesses to large corporations, they use flat images to showcase their products.
But wait! Are you a regular social media user wondering what are we talking about? No worries!
Let’s talk about what flat lay photography is first, then discuss the photography tips.
What is flat lay photography?
A flat panel is simply an image with objects arranged on a surface that was captured directly from above. It also means “Bird’s eye view“Photography and style are a great way to showcase any type of product. To capture the best pictures, you should be a master at arranging objects, lighting, setting the frame, and then manipulating it.
This genre is trending on social media platforms as it is a very easy way to display many types of products. You don’t need an environment or a studio. All you need is good old creativity, lighting, some space for styling, good composition, and good technique. Try to get compelling pictures that people will love.
Taking photos like this isn’t difficult at all, but it’s a lot of fun. This article discusses some great steps on how to create beautiful and stunning photos. Read on to learn more about these steps.
Know the reason your apartment is located
Before creating flat lays, you should be clear about your target audience and your results. It doesn’t matter what you want to make, what products you show off in your flat layers, and what story your photos will tell. Because what you want to do is reflected in these pictures. Always stick to your topic and the niche you picked because it will help you stand out from everyone else and make your work recognizable.
Find a flat surface
As mentioned earlier, flat-screen photography does not require a studio or special environment. All it takes is a flat surface.
It could be a dining table, a coffee table, a bed, or the floor. Backgrounds such as wood and plain white are preferred because clean backgrounds produce more impactful photos. And you can easily find such backgrounds and flat surfaces in your home or in places around you. Avoid busy patterns and dark backgrounds as these can compete with the products in your picture.
Choose the right lighting
Proper light is important as it can either make or break your flat photos. Avoid light that creates harsh shadows. If possible, use natural light and a light background. Take pictures in open places and areas with a window.
Choose a location where light casts soft shadows on objects so that dimensions are created. You can also use a light box that will evenly brighten the room. Lighting is the key to perfect photography.
Arrange the objects
Design and arrange the products so that they look good. If you only want to capture one subject, pick two or three other things to focus on and add a sense of depth to your image.
Try to balance small and large elements in the picture. If your flat sheet contains just one type of just big or small objects, the photo will get a little dull.
Add color and texture to your photo
Choose a color theme in your flat screen carefully. Provide a general color theme that matches the products in the picture and the style you want. It can also help create consistency if you follow a theme in your images. You can also create a mix of several colors for a bright effect that looks nice.
Besides the color scheme, try different things to add texture to the flat lay images. Many things can add texture including plants, glass, wood, stones, ribbons, your own hands, and many other things.
For those who want a simple but impactful photo, using minimalism in flat locations is best. Minimalism is a styling technique where there are only 3-4 elements with a simple and clear background.
Add some suitable props
Adding props to your flat lay can take it to the next level. They are a great way to really tell a story with your pictures. Depending on the product, choose appropriate props to fill in the gaps or improve the relationship.
You can choose props from your surroundings to add a little flair to your images. For example, if your apartment contains a laptop, you can add a book, pen, cup of coffee, or a clock to make it more attractive. If you have a beauty blog, the props could also include brushes, palettes, skin care products, lipsticks or perfume bottles, etc.
If you have a food blog, secondary products should be plates, kitchen ware, teapots, napkins, and other ingredients. There are many options for adding props to your photos to make them look more attractive.
Edit your flat lay photography
When you’re done taking the actual photos, select a few and start editing in your favorite photo-editing application (we highly recommend Lightroom Classic). Start adjusting the exposure by selecting the exposure tool. You can then adjust the contrast, colors, brightness, highlights and shadows in your images.
You can also crop the photo to remove extra elements and set them to a specific ratio. In addition, you can use a sharpening tool to sharpen the textures to bring out the details and create dimensions.
Summary
With all of the tips above, you can create an amazing flat lay for your blog or Instagram feed. Always choose a topic that matches your feed so that your pictures are more recognizable.
Make sure to take multiple photos from different angles and choose the best ones! Have fun shooting!
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