Flat Lay Photography Guide: Camera Settings, Composition & Styling Tips

Flat lay photography demands technical precision and creative vision. You're shooting straight down at a perfectly flat surface, which removes natural depth. Balance, symmetry, and negative space must work together to guide the viewer's eye through a two-dimensional frame.

When you nail it, you create images that tell stories through arrangement. A coffee cup, open notebook, and scattered pens convey morning creativity. Ingredients laid out with intention suggest a recipe about to come alive. The difference between a snapshot and a strong flat lay comes down to deliberate styling paired with technical execution.

Every element earns its place in the frame. Nothing is accidental.

You don't need expensive gear, but certain tools make flat lay photography significantly easier.

Start with these settings, then adapt based on lighting and your setup.

Technical settings get sharp images. Composition makes them compelling.

Light makes or breaks flat lays. Even illumination prevents distracting shadows while subtle directionality adds dimension.

Systematic approach increases success. Most work happens before you trigger the shutter.

Flat lays benefit from minimal post-processing. Film does most work if you exposed properly.

Request high-resolution scans (3000+ pixels) with minimal automatic corrections. Flat lays occasionally need minor rotation (0.5-2 degrees) if setup wasn't perfectly level. Crop to improve composition or adjust aspect ratio. Correct color shifts: Ektar tends warm, Portra leans magenta.

For series work, apply consistent adjustments for visual cohesion. Avoid heavy-handed editing. Small tweaks to shadows and midtones maintain film character. For e-commerce, ensure accurate color representation.

Once you've mastered basics, these advanced techniques elevate your flat lay photography.

Intentional asymmetry: Place your main subject off-center at a rule-of-thirds intersection, then balance it with grouped smaller elements on the opposite side. This creates tension and visual interest while maintaining equilibrium.

Layered textures: Combine smooth and rough, soft and hard, matte and glossy surfaces within one frame. A linen napkin under a ceramic plate on a wooden surface adds three distinct textures that photograph beautifully and add tactile depth.

Controlled chaos: Instead of rigid geometric arrangements, create organized randomness. Scatter coffee beans near a cup, drape ribbon naturally, let papers overlap at casual angles. This approach feels spontaneous while remaining composed and deliberate.

Color blocking: Use two contrasting backgrounds meeting at a diagonal or straight line through the frame. Place objects spanning both backgrounds to tie the composition together. This technique adds visual punch to otherwise simple arrangements.

Flat lay photography on film represents precision and intention that make this genre special: the careful arrangement, the measured exposure, the tangible satisfaction of nailing composition before you trip the shutter. At Daydream, we've spent years studying these exact characteristics, the gentle highlight rolloff, the organic grain structure, the non-linear color response, to bring authentic film emulation to mobile photography. We're not replacing film. We're making it accessible for moments when loading a roll isn't practical. Our app is free, with no subscription or ads, because we believe more people should experience what film photography offers. Whether you shoot flat lays with a film camera, a phone running Daydream, or both, you're part of keeping the film aesthetic alive.

* Prices as of January 2025 – always check current market. These are starting points, not requirements.

What are the best camera settings for flat lay photography?

For flat lay photography, use aperture priority or manual mode with f/11 to f/16 for maximum depth of field, keeping everything sharp. Set shutter speed to 1/15s or slower (tripod eliminates shake), and use ISO 100 film for finest grain and cleanest results. Meter for midtones using center-weighted or spot metering. Cable release prevents camera shake during exposure.

What camera is best for flat lay photography?

The best camera for flat lay photography has manual controls, depth-of-field preview, and mirror lock-up for vibration reduction. A Canon AE-1 Program or Nikon FM2 excels at flat lays with reliable metering, solid build quality, and compatibility with affordable lenses. For beginners, the Pentax K1000 delivers dependable performance at lower cost. Medium format cameras like Mamiya RB67 offer waist-level finders perfect for overhead composition and exceptional image quality.

How do I keep my camera perfectly level for flat lay shots?

Attach a bubble level to your camera's hot shoe before positioning it overhead. Use a tripod with a horizontal center column or boom arm to position the camera directly above your flat lay surface at 90 degrees. Double-check level alignment after any adjustment. Even 2-3 degrees of tilt creates noticeable perspective distortion where objects appear to lean. Turn on your camera's grid display if available to verify alignment.

What focal length should I use for flat lay photography?

For flat lay photography, 35mm to 50mm focal lengths work best, rendering objects accurately without distortion. A 35mm lens suits larger arrangements or when shooting from lower height, while 50mm provides natural perspective matching human vision. Avoid wide-angle lenses (24mm, 28mm) that introduce barrel distortion at frame edges, and telephoto lenses (85mm+) that require impractical camera height for overhead shooting.

How do I get everything in focus in my flat lay photos?

Achieve complete sharpness by shooting at f/11 or higher (f/16 for items with varying heights). Use aperture priority or manual mode to control depth of field. Focus on your hero object using manual focus and split-prism screen, then verify depth of field with preview button. At f/11, depth extends 4-6 inches, covering most flat lay arrangements. For significantly varied heights, shoot at f/16 and accept slower shutter speeds (your tripod handles this fine).

What are common flat lay photography mistakes?

The most common flat lay mistakes are: camera not perfectly level (creates perspective distortion), cluttered composition with no clear focal point (shoot 5-7 elements maximum), insufficient depth of field (shoot f/11 minimum), poor color harmony (limit to 3 colors plus neutrals), and harsh lighting without fill (use white boards to bounce light and soften shadows). Camera position and composition planning matter more than expensive gear.

What lighting works best for flat lay photography?

Natural window light provides the best results for flat lays. North-facing windows offer consistent, soft light throughout the day. Set up your flat lay perpendicular to the window (light from the side) 3-5 feet away. On bright days, diffuse direct sunlight with sheer fabric taped to the window. Use white foam boards opposite the window as reflectors to fill shadows and create even illumination. Avoid overhead lighting that flattens dimension.

How do I choose backgrounds for flat lay photography?

Choose flat lay backgrounds that complement your subject without competing for attention. White foam board creates clean, professional product shots. Natural wood adds warmth and texture for food or lifestyle flat lays. Neutral fabrics (linen, cotton) provide soft, non-distracting surfaces. Match background tone to your story: bright and clean for products, rustic and textured for organic subjects, dark and moody for dramatic styling. Test backgrounds by placing your hero object on each option before committing to full setup.

Flat lay photography demands precision, thoughtful composition, and controlled lighting. Start with mastering overhead camera positioning using a level and tripod. Practice styling arrangements with intentional balance and limited color palettes.

Remember: every professional's first flat lay looked wonky and unbalanced. The difference is practice and attention to small details.

Next steps:

• Set up your overhead camera rig and verify perfect level alignment using a bubble level
• Create three flat lay arrangements using the same hero object with different styling approaches
• Study light quality at different times of day near your best window for consistent results

Your unique perspective on flat lay photography matters through deliberate styling and technical precision. Now get out there and arrange some compelling overhead shots.

Written by: Daydream Content Team. Experienced film photographers with backgrounds in product and commercial photography
Experience: Collective 12+ years shooting flat lay, product, and still life photography on film. Hundreds of commercial shoots for e-commerce brands, restaurants, and lifestyle publications
Gear used: Canon AE-1, Nikon FM2, Mamiya RB67, various macro and standard lenses (35mm f/2.8, 50mm f/1.8, 50mm f/2.5 macro). Ektar 100, Portra 160, and HP5 Plus as primary film stocks
Teaching background: Workshops on product photography and commercial shooting techniques for film photographers. Mentoring emerging photographers in flat lay composition and styling
Conflicts of interest: Daydream is our film emulation app. We're transparent that we develop tools for film photographers while shooting film ourselves