How to Photograph Flat Lay Clothing?
If you spend any amount of time with fashion publications or on Instagram, you have probably seen photographs of outfit inspiration where the clothing are laid out on a flat surface. These images are available on both services.
You may easily recreate these pictures for your online shop, blog, or social networking pages by using the flat-lay photography or styling approach that goes by the same name.
How to Make Flatlays
Choose Your Subject
I'm curious as to what you find most captivating in this image. Do you own a pair of brand-new shoes that you can't wait to flaunt? Necklace? Is your current obsession with stripes? Choose a focal point for your outfit and build the rest of your ensemble around it.
Locate a spacious, flat surface, and decide on a setting.
For a good flat lay, you'll need to locate a flat surface, such as a tabletop or the floor, that is large enough to lay out all of your things.
Since the flat lay background has such an impact on the final image, it's important to choose it carefully. This may mean using a sheet of paper, cloth, poster board, or anything else.
Choose a borderless or seamless option for your flat lay if you want it to appear its finest.
- Strive to make the space reflect your taste. You might utilise a worn barn door as a backdrop if you were photographing a casual and feminine clothing, for example.
- Adding carpets and linens to the backdrop of a flat lay shot is another way to make the scene more interesting.
- Using the same or very similar backdrops in most of your flat-lay images is a must if you plan on taking many. Doing so is crucial if you intend to photograph a wide variety of subjects. This strategy will help your followers recognise them more easily in the wild.
Balance Is Key
Be cautious to pack both bulky and fragile items together so that the unwrapped package isn't a jumbled mess.
Arrange And Rearrange
The practise of flat laying requires multiple photographs.
Sometimes you see a shadowy crease in a picture, sometimes an image looks disproportionate, and sometimes you just don't like a picture. If you want to increase your chances of getting the finest shot possible, take several shots while slightly altering the scene's composition between shots.
Pick A Color Scheme
Because of the power of colour to evoke emotion, it's crucial to pick a shade that meshes well with the mood you're going for.
We decided that a shot including blue hydrangeas would be a great way to make a bold statement with colour because of the flower's association with summer. In my opinion, it is totally cute.
Now that you can post photographs that aren't square on Instagram, make the most of the space at your disposal. Imagery that doesn't fit neatly into a square generates greater interest than a single basket made in a game, according to research.
You'll have more room to play with while shooting on a regular photo frame.
You should ensure that the image you submit to Instagram is at least 1080 pixels wide and 1920 pixels tall if you want to see it clearly while using the programme.
Get High Above Your Subject
Ensure that there is enough space between you and your subject for the subject to fill the frame if you need to shoot from a higher vantage point.
You'll have a better chance of adjusting the level of straightness in the photo without badly affecting the image if you take it from further away from your subject.
Use a high vantage point to snap the photo from above. Flat lay photography is best accomplished by shooting straight on rather than from an angle so that the full scene can be captured.
However, you may need to stand on something like a stepladder or a stool to raise your body over the camera's frame to take a straight-on shot.
If you must climb, do it cautiously, especially if you are carrying heavy photographic equipment. Having a second person standing by who can pass you your camera once you're in place is a huge help when taking photos.
Only Use Natural Light.
Lighting inside is problematic unless you are willing to invest more in lighting equipment and settings. Take your subject outside either very early in the morning or very late at night, right when the sun is setting, for the greatest results.
Between those times, you should avoid taking images in bright sunshine, as doing so will result in unnatural shadows and overly vibrant colours. So, prepare your costumes ahead of time, and shoot during the "golden hours" for the best results.
Upload the photo to Photoshop and tweak the exposure if you feel like it's missing something, like "oomph," after you take it.
Photographers should always be mindful of lighting, but shadows in a flat lay shoot can be particularly problematic. As an example, consider the following If you want to avoid this, set up your office in a shady area outside or shoot near a huge open window. If you can help it, try not to set up camp in the sun's direct path; doing so will cause harsh shadows.
If there isn't any other way to get light, turn on one or two exterior lights. The best option if the area you work in doesn't get enough light from windows or other natural sources is to instal a light fixture that can be adjusted as needed.
- A single light source should be positioned 45 degrees off to the side of the flay lay arrangement. Two lights should ideally be hung 45 degrees apart, side by side or in diagonally opposed corners.
- If you're taking a picture with shadows on purpose, you should move the light source a bit further away from the subject. If both lights are being used, just one of them should be switched.
- Use a flash diffuser to soften the harsh light of the flash, a reflector to help re-direct light and reduce shadows, and a softbox to provide a new source of light, and see what happens.
Although photographic gear might be expensive, there are inexpensive lighting solutions available. If you want to soften the shadows in your photo, try hanging up a wide sheet of white poster board and directing the light downward into the frame. More light might penetrate the scene in this way.
Have A Neutral Background
To a greater extent than any other factor, the flat lays' backgrounds determined their success or failure.
While a marble background would be ideal for photography, the high cost of marble and the low durability of contact paper make this an unrealistic goal.
There are many top-notch background providers from which to select, and you may get as innovative as you like with your chosen service, such as by giving your background the look of a whitewashed wood floor. Vinyl mats are a viable option because they are lightweight and simple to maintain.
Take pictures using a high F-stop, fast shutter speed, and low ISO.
When taking photos of items, the best quality and most faithful representation will result from an ISO of 200 or below. Furthermore, if the shutter speed is fast and the F-stop is high, the aperture opening will be narrower, resulting in a sharper image. Check that the white balance settings are appropriate for the lighting conditions.
Users of cameras must manually adjust the white balance in order to capture images properly in a variety of lighting conditions, including those created by fluorescent, incandescent, tungsten, and natural light.
Photographing flat-lays typically just requires a standard lens. If you want to avoid possible distortion, you shouldn't use a wide-angle lens.
At Wild Romantic Photography, we have the best Melbourne wedding photographer to take memorable photos on your wedding day.
Modify the shot slightly till you're satisfied with it.
When you've settled on a good flay lay, fire off few bullets and inspect the results closely.
Just keep snapping away until you get the ideal one; if you're not pleased with the lighting or the placement of the object, feel free to shift it about and try again. Upload an image of your finished product to your online portfolio or share it on one of your social media profiles to show off your hard work.
Arranging the Clothing
Spread Out Dresses And Shirts Against The Wall.
Take a few minutes to arrange your business attire nicely on your desk if you care about making a good first impression. One should always button up, fix the collar, and roll up the sleeves when wearing a shirt for public display.
It is recommended that the outfit be symmetrical before taking a picture of it. However, by arranging long sleeves at slightly uneven angles, they can take on a more natural appearance. Applying this method will help you achieve success.
It's best to straighten clothes before shooting photos, as wrinkles look terrible in pictures.
Pants should be creased in half lengthwise, and then again at the knees.
To fit a whole pair of pants inside a picture frame, try folding them in half with the legs together and then again at the knees.
Pants can be shown either flat or in a V-shape, revealing the whole length of the leg. When folding the trousers, it's also important to draw attention to the finer points, such the stitching on the pockets and the distressing.
Adding cuffs to your jeans is a terrific way to personalise them. Taking pictures of baby clothes could be less of a hassle if you fold the pants in half.
When you tuck in your shirt, you make your outfit look more casual.
Instead of pressing the side hems of a blouse or dress flat with an iron, try rolling them under instead. This is a great method for warding against wrinkles. This will give the item the appearance of movement and make it look more natural while hanging from a person's body.
Tucking the rear hem beneath the garment may also be necessary, depending on the cut. This is because most clothing are designed with a longer back than front. If you're styling it for a lady, tuck the sides in little more directly beneath the arms to create a gentle curve. Keeping a straight line is essential while sewing clothes for adults, children, and infants.
To give an item more depth, stuff tissue paper within it.
If you feel like an item of clothing is missing vitality, try inserting several layers of tissue paper into the garment's inside.
Stretch the garment's sleeve and leg length by coiling up wads of tissue paper and inserting them. Put tissue paper within the main body of a T-shirt or dress to make it more comfortable to wear.
Create Mood Board Outfit Shots by arranging garments into compositions.
Flat lay photography is typically used to display several things in a variety of imaginative configurations, yet shooting a single object may be the most eye-catching way to present it. Make it your goal in life to always innovate more challenging methods to exhibit your own style in all of your images.
If at all feasible, arrange garments in the way you want to wear them. The dress might be front and centre, the shoes towards the bottom, the hat and sunglasses towards the top or out to the side.
The same effect may be attained by photographing a woman wearing a shirt higher in the frame and her pants lower or to the side.
Get the right accessories and you'll have a whole ensemble in no time.
Picking an outfit without considering how you can complement it is a bad idea. If you want your flat lay images to really stand out, try adding an accessory like a stylish pair of shoes or a unique hat.
A sun hat, beach tote, cover-up, sandals, and a pair of sunglasses all be useful props for a bikini photo shoot.
Imagine you are putting together an outfit and you are arranging the items in your closet. It is easy to emphasise your waist by adding a necklace to the neck of a T-shirt or a belt to a dress.
The shoes can either be placed at the bottom of the frame or slightly off to the side, whichever is more pleasing to the eye.
Starting to think about hiring a wedding photographer? Check out our range of Mornington Peninsula wedding photography here.
Details that help sell your outfit should be included.
A house may be given new life by the addition of story-telling furniture and decor. Consider the places you could travel to while dressed in that way, and then embellish the story so that it seems more believable that you actually went there.
Send a picture of yourself in your swimsuit along with a few items (a book, sunscreen, and drink, for example) that you would take with you to the pool.
Even a t-shirt and jeans may become the ideal travel attire with the addition of some eye-catching accessories, such as a beautiful lipstick tube, a flower, your hotel room key, or a dish with a seemingly delicious-looking pastry.
Tips for Acing the Flat Lay Photography
One of the easiest methods to elevate the quality of your Instagram photos from "good" to "are you a production designer? " is to capture a shot in the "flat lay" manner. This appears to have been featured in a fashion magazine.
Get Inspired
If you're having trouble deciding where to begin or what you want your project to look like, we suggest doing a search on Pinterest or Instagram using the hashtag #flatlay. It will give you a good sense of the styles that suit you best. Browse our Pinterest boards for additional inspiration, or take a look at one of our other sample documents.
Assemble Your Props
How would you describe the story you're attempting to convey with this image? Perhaps you're a blogger for a beauty or fashion website.
The answer is ridiculously straightforward (cosmetics! ), so if you're hoping for something less specific, you might want to go elsewhere (like trying to capture the feeling of excitement before an impending journey).
Keep your theme in mind when you assemble your accessories to create a unified look.
Select a larger number of objects than you think you'll need so that you may experiment with different arrangements while you figure out the best way to frame your scene.
Selecting things with a wide range in size and form is also recommended for this purpose. Last but not least, it's important to have a colour scheme in mind while choosing props; doing so will assist your presentation look more professional.
Grab An Extra Pair Of Hands
Some of our favourite flat-lay images are those that include actual people (or, more accurately, body parts).
To get a look that portrays a sense of motion and energy, you may want to seek the help of a close friend who can function as a hand model. In comparison to trying to snap photos of oneself in a posed setting, this will be a breeze.
Pick A Background
In most cases, a simple background is the ideal option. Instead of a white background, a neutral wood floor or table will work nicely because it will not steal the show from the props you are utilising.
You can apply some ingenuity and tape some matte wrapping paper to a foot or table if you want a coloured background. People who want to work against a coloured backdrop have this choice available to them.
Vinyl backgrounds would be another option for achieving a country feel quickly and cheaply. You may also use our backdrop remover to magically get rid of your current background and set up a new one in its stead.
Compose Your Shot
Now that your set pieces and backdrop are all in place, you can begin organising everything. Taking shots early in the morning or late in the afternoon will provide you with the ideal lighting. Avoid using a flash at all costs, as doing so will create unflattering shadows.
Space out the pieces in your shot so that they don't feel squished. This will make the most of each prop and make your photo less chaotic overall. Your photos will be more balanced if you place things of a similar colour on the left and right sides, as well as if you use a mix of larger and smaller pieces.
For optimal presentation on Instagram, please crop this image to a square. If you're using the camera on your smartphone, using the square mode makes it easy to frame your shots.
Leave Space For Text And Graphics.
It is advised that space be left in the final result for the addition of text or graphics in post-production. Here is where you may include your company's name and logo in the ad you're making. If you want to appear more inspirational, you might also attach a quote.
Shoot From Above
Raise yourself up on a ladder or a stool, then begin firing. Getting some space between yourself and the flat lay will make it simpler to get everything in the photo. It's also one of the few strategies to make sure your photo comes out looking flat.
When you've found the perfect perspective point, take some practise pictures and don't be afraid to keep moving the furniture around until the scene seems just right. Once you've taken the perfect shot, the editing process can begin. An well crafted wedding film is the finest method to ensure that these precious memories will last a lifetime and beyond.
Get in touch with us at Wild Romantic Photography right away to talk about our wedding film videography services.
Post It And Bask In The Glory Of Your Social Media Savvy
By clicking the Share tab at the top of the page, you may easily distribute content to your various social network profiles. Apply sunscreen to your skin to prevent the glare from your newfound popularity on social media from damaging it.
Conclusion
Photography is all about layering, and flatlays are a great way to show how clothes are laid out on a flat surface. Choose a focal point for your outfit and build the rest of your ensemble around it. The practise of flat laying requires multiple photographs to get the best image. When you can post photos that aren't square, make the most of the space at your disposal. Use a high vantage point or stand on something like a stepladder to take a straight-on shot.
Only use natural light and don't shoot in bright sunshine or indoors for the best results. Photographers should always be mindful of lighting, but shadows in a flat lay shoot can be particularly problematic. A single light source should be positioned 45 degrees off to the side of the flay lay arrangement. If you want to soften the shadows in your photo, try directing the light downward into the frame. Photographing flat-lays typically just requires a standard lens.
If you want to avoid possible distortion, you shouldn't use a wide-angle lens. It's best to straighten clothes before shooting photos, as wrinkles look terrible in pictures. Check that the white balance settings are appropriate for the lighting conditions. If you feel like an item of clothing is missing vitality, try inserting several layers of tissue paper into the garment's inside. Make it your goal in life to always innovate more challenging methods to exhibit your own style in all of your images.
Create Mood Board Outfit Shots by arranging garments into compositions. A sun hat, beach tote, cover-up, sandals, and sunglasses can all be useful props for a bikini photo shoot. Shoot from above and don't be afraid to move furniture around until the scene seems just right. Leave space in the final result for the addition of text or graphics in post-production. Apply sunscreen to your skin to prevent the glare from your newfound popularity on social media from damaging it.
Content Summary
- If you spend any amount of time with fashion publications or on Instagram, you have probably seen photographs of outfit inspiration where the clothing are laid out on a flat surface.
- Choose a focal point for your outfit and build the rest of your ensemble around it.
- Locate a spacious, flat surface, and decide on a setting.
- Since the flat lay background has such an impact on the final image, it's important to choose it carefully.
- Choose a borderless or seamless option for your flat lay if you want it to appear its finest.
- Strive to make the space reflect your taste.
- Adding carpets and linens to the backdrop of a flat lay shot is another way to make the scene more interesting.
- Using the same or very similar backdrops in most of your flat-lay images is a must if you plan on taking many.
- Arrange And Rearrange The practise of flat laying requires multiple photographs.
- Because of the power of colour to evoke emotion, it's crucial to pick a shade that meshes well with the mood you're going for.
- Now that you can post photographs that aren't square on Instagram, make the most of the space at your disposal.
- You'll have more room to play with while shooting on a regular photo frame.
- Get High Above Your Subject Ensure that there is enough space between you and your subject for the subject to fill the frame if you need to shoot from a higher vantage point.
- Use a high vantage point to snap the photo from above.
- However, you may need to stand on something like a stepladder or a stool to raise your body over the camera's frame to take a straight-on shot.
- So, prepare your costumes ahead of time, and shoot during the "golden hours" for the best results.
- Photographers should always be mindful of lighting, but shadows in a flat lay shoot can be particularly problematic.
- As an example, consider the following If you want to avoid this, set up your office in a shady area outside or shoot near a huge open window.
- The best option if the area you work in doesn't get enough light from windows or other natural sources is to instal a light fixture that can be adjusted as needed.
- A single light source should be positioned 45 degrees off to the side of the flay lay arrangement.
- If you're taking a picture with shadows on purpose, you should move the light source a bit further away from the subject.
- Use a flash diffuser to soften the harsh light of the flash, a reflector to help re-direct light and reduce shadows, and a softbox to provide a new source of light, and see what happens.
- Although photographic gear might be expensive, there are inexpensive lighting solutions available.
- If you want to soften the shadows in your photo, try hanging up a wide sheet of white poster board and directing the light downward into the frame.
- Have A Neutral BackgroundTo a greater extent than any other factor, the flat lays' backgrounds determined their success or failure.
- Take pictures using a high F-stop, fast shutter speed, and low ISO.
- When taking photos of items, the best quality and most faithful representation will result from an ISO of 200 or below.
- Check that the white balance settings are appropriate for the lighting conditions.
- Photographing flat-lays typically just requires a standard lens.
- At Wild Romantic Photography, we have the best Melbourne wedding photographer to take memorable photos on your wedding day.
- Modify the shot slightly till you're satisfied with it.
- When you've settled on a good flay lay, fire off few bullets and inspect the results closely.
- Take a few minutes to arrange your business attire nicely on your desk if you care about making a good first impression.
- Adding cuffs to your jeans is a terrific way to personalise them.
- Taking pictures of baby clothes could be less of a hassle if you fold the pants in half.
- When you tuck in your shirt, you make your outfit look more casual.
- To give an item more depth, stuff tissue paper within it.
- Put tissue paper within the main body of a T-shirt or dress to make it more comfortable to wear.
- Create Mood Board Outfit Shots by arranging garments into compositions.
- Make it your goal in life to always innovate more challenging methods to exhibit your own style in all of your images.
- If at all feasible, arrange garments in the way you want to wear them.
- Get the right accessories and you'll have a whole ensemble in no time.
- Picking an outfit without considering how you can complement it is a bad idea.
- A sun hat, beach tote, cover-up, sandals, and a pair of sunglasses all be useful props for a bikini photo shoot.
- Imagine you are putting together an outfit and you are arranging the items in your closet.
- Starting to think about hiring a wedding photographer?
- Check out our range of Mornington Peninsula wedding photography here.
- Send a picture of yourself in your swimsuit along with a few items (a book, sunscreen, and drink, for example) that you would take with you to the pool.
- Tips for Acing the Flat Lay PhotographyOne of the easiest methods to elevate the quality of your Instagram photos from "good" to "are you a production designer? "
- is to capture a shot in the "flat lay" manner.
- Get InspiredIf you're having trouble deciding where to begin or what you want your project to look like, we suggest doing a search on Pinterest or Instagram using the hashtag #flatlay.
- Assemble Your PropsHow would you describe the story you're attempting to convey with this image?
- The answer is ridiculously straightforward (cosmetics!),
- Select a larger number of objects than you think you'll need so that you may experiment with different arrangements while you figure out the best way to frame your scene.
- Selecting things with a wide range in size and form is also recommended for this purpose.
- Last but not least, it's important to have a colour scheme in mind while choosing props; doing so will assist your presentation look more professional.
- Pick A BackgroundIn most cases, a simple background is the ideal option.
- You can apply some ingenuity and tape some matte wrapping paper to a foot or table if you want a coloured background.
- People who want to work against a coloured backdrop have this choice available to them.
- Compose Your ShotNow that your set pieces and backdrop are all in place, you can begin organising everything.
- Space out the pieces in your shot so that they don't feel squished.
- It is advised that space be left in the final result for the addition of text or graphics in post-production.
- Here is where you may include your company's name and logo in the ad you're making.
- Shoot From AboveRaise yourself up on a ladder or a stool, then begin firing.
- Getting some space between yourself and the flat lay will make it simpler to get everything in the photo.
- It's also one of the few strategies to make sure your photo comes out looking flat.
- Once you've taken the perfect shot, the editing process can begin.
- Get in touch with us at Wild Romantic Photography right away to talk about our wedding film videography services.
- Post It And Bask In The Glory Of Your Social Media SavvyBy clicking the Share tab at the top of the page, you may easily distribute content to your various social network profiles.
- Apply sunscreen to your skin to prevent the glare from your newfound popularity on social media from damaging it.