Flat-lay Photography is one of the easiest and simplest ways to transform a boring product or subject into an attractive and interesting one.
This type of photography is everywhere.
If you are a full-time photographer and want to earn some real money by capturing product photos, Flat Lays are one of the best-known products on the market.
You can even use your creativity to get some out-of-the-box content.
And if everything works out as expected then who knows you’ll get a lot of opportunities to capture some flat lays for various famous products 😀
Whether you’re shooting for small business or large, flat lay works every time.
But As a photographer, you should keep in mind that it’s not easy to get bangers every time.
You need a proper plan for the shoot before you start shooting.
So today in this article, I’m sharing some tips and tricks to get better at flat-lay photography.
Even if you don’t know anything about flat lays and this type of photography, this article will help you to learn and get better at flat lay photography.
Get Perfect Flat Lay Photos In 8 Easy Steps | Flat lay Photography Tips
Before we start, let me share why and what about flat lay.
So here’s a quick definition of Flat Lay…
What Is Flat Lay?
It is a common kind of product image captured directly from above and laid on a horizontal or near-horizontal surface.
It is also known as tabletop photography.
It is widely used for fashion shots, accessory images, cosmetics, jewellery, and many more…
Have a look at some of these common examples of flat-lay photos…
Now, why flat-lay the product?
Have you ever asked any photographer this question??
If not then here’s the answer you need to know before learning more about this type of photography.
Importance Of Flat Lay Product
It provides clear images, and it may provide a clear view of the product, which is very attractive.
Elevated photographs of the products look aesthetic and make the product more appealing and impressive in looks.
It is essential to draw the attention of people to your product through photography.
Now that you know the what and why about a flat-lay product and this type of photography then let’s move on…
Essential Equipment For Flat Lay Photography
Here are some important equipment or you can say tools you need to get started with flat-lay product photography…
Camera
You can even shoot using smartphones, as they are capable enough to capture impressive images.
Model: Sony A6000
You can preferably use a DSLR or a mirrorless camera with interchangeable lenses.
This will allow for flexible technical control in your work.
If you ask me then I’m using my Sigma 56MM F1.4 with Sony A6000 mainly because of the nice aperture.
The aperture allows me to easily get the sharpness I need, showing every small detail.
But if you’re just starting this type of photography then any prime lens is your go-to option, you can even use the kit lens to get the shot.
To get a better quality image & if you want to make editing process smooth then make sure you shoot in RAW Format.
Tripod
You can try shooting a flat lay without a tripod.
Using a tripod while shooting will give you stable support, and save a lot of time.
It will ensure better framing and a focused image as a result.
Lighting And Accessories
Perfect lighting is the most essential part of any photography.
A good lighting setup can give a clear image with desirable results.
Using accessories with the product will look amazing if used correctly.
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Capturing Perfect Flat Lay Photos
Ensure you are clear about the idea you want to portray through your image.
The objects you choose will help you convey and reflect the message you want.
The best point about using flat-lay photography is to utilize as many objects as possible but in a unifying way.
Narrate A Story
Your image should narrate the product’s story and give a clear idea of the theme.
Narrating a story through your work is an integral part of photography.
Assemble Props
Everything depends on the theme of your image.
To achieve a cohesive look, you need to remember your image’s theme.
Make sure to remember that excessive and unnecessary props can make the image look awful and a bit crowded.
Display the props that match the purpose of your photograph and should not confuse people.
In conclusion, do not use vague props, and try to stick to the theme of your work.
Find A Flat Surface
Flat lays can be captured on the dining or coffee table, floor, cushion, bed. Just remember to select a flat surface to shoot.
A flat surface with a plain background can give you room for creativity.
For example, texture background or different colour background, placing multiple props or any decoration to make the image attractive.
Arrange Your Objects
A spectacular photographer creates a movement within the frame.
The way to create movement in a flat lay is through object placement and lighting.
Object placement is essential, it can make your image look attractive.
You should place your image in multiple directions, which will cause it to overflow out of the frame, and few parts are inside the frame.
That creates intrigue and motivates you
It can make the audience feel as if they are watching a snippet of a larger scene, engaging the viewer’s imagination to think beyond the frame.
Object placement can make your image impressive, and if done incorrectly, it can provide a disastrous effect.
It depends on your object and your theme.
All of which depends on you, and how you want to arrange that.
You can arrange the props in straight format, u-curve, v-curve, s-curve, horizontal format, or vertical format.
You can even experiment with various placement formats until you get a satisfactory result.
Positioning light
Light positioning is technically one of the most important steps in photography.
You must focus on more natural light while capturing the flat-lay photographs.
Make sure the natural light falls on the image.
This allows the object to cast shadows on certain parts of your background which can create spectacular dimensions.
Make sure you select the right focal length, that draws attention to the image.
Drawing attention to the right spots of the image can lead to amazing effects.
More Depth
Layers are a great way to add movement and depth to your image.
Depth can also be created by stacking different-sized plates and placing your main subject on the top.
The cloth can add intrigue as you create multiple layers.
Shoot From Height
Capturing photos from an elevated level to a flat surface will look impressive.
This will also give a clear view of the product.
Shooting from a height can help you in getting better shots which will attract the viewer’s attention.
Creating distance between you and the flat lay will help you fit everything into the shot.
This also gives you room for frame adjustment and, an aesthetic look to the product.
Space for text and graphics
You should leave some space for text and graphics in post-processing your image for the future.
Ensure to leave ample space and the correct area vacant to add the post-processing elements to the image later.
Editing
You can use an editing app for post-processing.
It can help you to reduce any ruins, and also help you in achieving a perfect look.
You can even use editing to enhance your image.
But an important thing to remember is that excessive editing can lead to the deterioration of your photograph.
Do not take editing so far that the originality of your flat lay in the edit is absent.
- Important photo editing tips for every photographer | Photo editing guide
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Do’s of lay photography
Use visual narrative
Visual narrative can help you stick with the theme.
Focus on your image’s purpose and what you want to display from the image.
Keep room for Creativity
Exploring different things is what makes things, images, and people different from each other.
You can experiment a little and try to figure out what new can happen in these images.
Keep it natural
The best images are the natural ones, and it makes the images a lot more attractive.
You can use seasonal photos to convey the photographer’s feelings.
Every season can be used successfully such as the rainy season with some water droplets.
You can use the autumn season with dry leaves and fallen fruits, snowballs in winter, and bright sun rays in summer.
Try Adding Hands
Bringing your hands inside the frame can give a soft, warm, and cosy effect to the product.
It can make everything look effortless and attractive.
You can even follow some pro photographers like Peter McKinnon to get some inspiration from their work.
Here are some top-to-down and added hands inside the frame kind of shots captured by Peter McKinnon.
He is one of the best product photographers ( every type of photographer ) that I know of.
Make sure you follow him on Instagram or on YouTube for some inspiration.
Shapes Are Important
You have to imagine a symbolic shape and fill it with many tiny objects or props.
Creating a figure inside the frame can be incredible.
You can draw the silhouette on your background and then fill it with objects that are connected to your purpose of photographs.
Conclusion
Flat-lay photography is one of the best ways to express your product or anything related to that…
It doesn’t matter if you want to gain more likes on your social media profile by engaging more users, but even for that flat lay is one of the best techniques.
It’s an easy and simple technique that requires some creativity to arrange your subject according to the surface and props which you’re going to use for the shoot.
A creative shooting surface can give room for creative experiments that can lead to desirable results.
The theme is a very important factor for flat-lay photography, so make sure you choose props according to the theme you’re planning for.
And last but not least, practice a lot.
Follow some more photographers on Instagram or YouTube to learn new tricks and composition techniques to improve your overall flat-lay photos.
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That’s all from my side, I hope you guys learned something new about flat-lay photography.
Have a good day 🙂
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