If you don’t know what a flat lay is, just open any home magazine or cookbook! A flat lay is an image taken from above of a cohesive collection of items. I just finished a course by Stephanie Studer entitled the Fascination of a Flat Lay. Which you can find: here. It was very informative and so good! I actually bought this breakout to help me with my bible journaling. In this breakout course Stephanie talks about the important elements of a flat lay. Here are a few things that have really helped me to improve and have opened my eyes to what makes a compelling flat lay.
1. Have a Star of the Show:
Your image needs to have a main focus. What are you trying to present and how is it coming across? This is how you build your flat lay. Look at your main item and then pair things to go with it. Have colors and textures that add interest to your main item.
2. Composition and movement:
How does your eye move throughout the image? Stephanie talks about dividing the space into quadrants and starting small. Repetitive shapes and curves add interest to an image. Napkins, plant sprigs, ribbon can all add movement and draw your eye to your star of the show. And they don’t necessarily have to be straight and perfect. Though I do like the way Wes Anderson does a flat lay!
3. Layers:
Adding layers adds interest into a scene. Taller items can draw your eyes deeper in to an image. Adding paper behind an item can also give the item more focus.
4. Realism:
Stephanie talks about making images that connects with your audience. It helps to have real items (especially with food). Also adding hands can bring an element of realism into an image.
5. Number:
Odd numbers are very pleasing to the eye. Use the rule of three or five in your flat lays to add interest!
She goes on to talk about much more! Go check her course out! It is very handy for any commercial photography, food photography, bible journaling, or personal items you want to have and display in an artful way!
Thanks for reading!