{"id":27017,"date":"2021-09-06T04:45:00","date_gmt":"2021-09-06T11:45:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/picsart.com\/blog\/?p=27017"},"modified":"2022-06-02T12:50:44","modified_gmt":"2022-06-02T19:50:44","slug":"master-art-flat-lay","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/picsart.com\/blog\/master-art-flat-lay\/","title":{"rendered":"Master the Art of Flat Lay Photography: How to Take Pictures from Above"},"content":{"rendered":"

Flat lay photos are some of the coolest kids on the block, so to speak. While \u201cflat lay\u201d may not be a household term, we are all familiar with these types of photos. In fact, we see them on a daily basis, whether online shopping for clothes or looking up a recipe for dinner.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What Is Flat Lay Photography?<\/b><\/h3>\n

Essentially, a flat lay photograph is one taken from above, usually of a visually-appealing array of objects on a \u2013 you guessed it \u2013 flat surface. We come across them in clothing and food photography often because they are perfect for featuring several items in one space in a way that\u2019s aesthetically pleasing and places emphasis on objects instead of models or other subjects. The selective composition of these photos draws our eye across the space and invites us to appreciate details. These well-curated arrangements are almost more like still-life paintings than photographs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Photo by Kim Daniels via Unsplash<\/span><\/h6>\n

When to Use Flat Lay Photography<\/b><\/h3>\n

Given the examples above, you can already gather that this style is ideal for food photography or to showcase specific clothing items. Lay out your favorite look or some clothing that you\u2019re trying to sell on a second-hand site among carefully-selected accessories like jewelry or flowers. As for food, you\u2019ve likely seen people out at restaurants snapping a photo of their plate from above, and that\u2019s to get the flat lay look. So, whether you have time to set up a scene of a meal you\u2019re putting together in your kitchen, or you simply want to snap a picture of your dinner out, hold your camera high and be sure to include details like utensils and textiles that will add texture and depth.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As you may have gathered, flat lay photography works well for any object. If you want to show off your watch or pen collection, use the composition tips below to set the scene and then take the perfect shot from above. If you want to capture the project you\u2019re working on at the office, get creative and include pens, markers, and other tools of your particular trade in a well-thought, flat lay shot. <\/span><\/p>\n

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Composition: Flat Lay Photography Setup<\/b><\/h3>\n

Composition is key<\/span><\/a> to all types of photography, and flat lay is no exception, given that there is so much setup involved. You can take all the time you need to arrange your objects exactly how you want to beforehand. It\u2019s not like taking a photo of a landscape, where you can control <\/span>how<\/span><\/i> you take the picture but not the contents of the photograph itself. Here, you have full reign, so use it to your advantage.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n