Flat Lay Photography | Applied Design

Flat Lay Photography

This week, Applied Design students were introduced to Flat Lay Photography. A Flat Lay Photograph is a collection of items selected for an interesting or eye-catching composition. The items are arranged aesthetically and laid flat on a flat surface. The separate items or parts of the whole composition create a Cohesive photograph when the artist fits the items together to create a relationship. The separate items create a relationship because of their likeness, color palette, tools of trade, etc. 

Anyone can create a flat lay photograph. If you have ever been to a restaurant where you enjoyed their plating and their food, you might have taken a picture prior to your first bite. Do you cook at home? Well, a flat lay photograph could be taken of the ingredients or the kitchen utensils you use to make your meal. Ok, now I'm hungry...all this talk about food. Let's look at it another way. Do you brush your teeth, floss, comb your hair, wash your face? Well, you could use any of your hygiene products to create a flat lay photograph. Photographers, artists, architects, entrepreneurs, network marketers, coffee drinkers, and teachers of any subject. 

Assignment:

• Students will create their own flat lay photograph using objects or items to create visual interest, composition and cohesion.
• Students choose a theme that they connect with on a visual or creative level. 
• Students lay their objects flat on a flat surface and arrange the items in a visually pleasing way.
• Students will take a photograph from a bird's eye view (on top, no angling) with their own devices. 
• Students will create an Instagram post with their flat lay photograph using the platform, Adobe Spark. 

Let's see how the Applied Design students did with their own flat lay photograph...

This was an example of my own flatlay that I shared with my students. 

This was a mix of items sorted by color. A team of 4 students collaborated on this flatlay.

Another collaborative piece displaying monochromatic color. 

We practiced in class. I laid out bins at each workstation with a collection of items. Each team of students created a flatlay photograph using the collection of items. Students collaborated in groups of 3-4 using creative problem solving to arrange an interesting composition for a photograph. Texture, color, pattern, size and proportion, and directional line are all things that students considered when arranging their photo frames.