The Art of Flat Lay

I am sharing with you 12 of my Flat Lay photos.

You might be wondering what-in-the-world is a Flat Lay. In photography, it is simply taking a photo directly above something that has been arranged or laid flat on a surface.

“Croissant and a Lion”

This style is very popular on social media especially on Instagram. If done correctly, it would definitely add an aesthetic value to your IG feed.

“Coffee and Tea”

At a glance, flat laying may seem easy and simple to achieve. However, getting even just a decent shot can be very tricky. There are many factors to consider like good lighting, proper setting and right angle.

“Lechon Head”

With regard to the subject and props to use, they can be anything under the sun as long as you creatively arrange them on a flat surface. Commonly used items, as seen online, are food, gadgets and travel essentials. Choosing the appropriate items for your theme is also critical because you need to make sure that the entire set-up is coherent.

“Blue Lunch”

It is common to see flat lay shots set on clean and light-colored backgrounds. Doing so is pleasing to the eyes just like how I appreciate minimalism. However, playing around with colors and textures is also visually appealing.

“Chocolates and Pastels”

Like any other styles of photography, lighting is a key factor. And speaking of lighting, nothing beats natural light. The sun is still the best provider of light.

“Pizza and Company”

Another important requirement in flat laying is getting a good bird’s-eye view of the entire set-up. You need to position yourself significantly above your subject in order to get a good angle and be able to play with your shots.

“Office Essentials”

Being resourceful and ingenious can be useful traits because you actually set or stage everything yourself. The look of your photo depends on your creativity, style and preference.

“3:44”

I personally find flat laying quite challenging. Aside from the abovementioned factors, taking a flat lay shot can sometimes become very awkward and uncomfortable especially when you are doing it in public, like when you are in a restaurant and your subject is the food you ordered for dinner.

“Brown Dinner”

Awkward moments such as standing up in order to get that good bird’s-eye view as mentioned earlier. Worse part is when you need to use a stool or chair to elevate yourself further. Good thing, I have not done it yet. Sometimes, it can also be annoying to your friends, especially if they have no choice but to wait for you to get a satisfying shot before eating.

“Yellow Breakfast”

Obviously, food is my favorite subject when I do flat lay or should I say flat lay is my go-to style when I shoot food. I am just thankful that I got supportive friends every time I shoot before we eat.

“Three Sides of Cakes”

Doing flat lay is really fun. It allows your creative juices to flow. Whether you are a minimalist or a clutter-guy, you can use this style of photography to express your artistry.

“Just Donuts”

Phone Used: LG V20

Mobile Editing Apps: Snapseed and Lightroom Mobile