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TIP
1.1
SET TO

SHOOT IN JPEG
CORE SKILLS MASTER We require all submissions to

be in the JPEG format, so set
YOUR CAMERA SETTINGS your camera to shoot in

JPEG to avoid having to
convert your image
With everything that’s been going on in recent afterwards.
months, we’ve tried our best to adapt and overcome.
This translates to six modules that can be completed
exclusively in your own home or back garden with
everyday objects you are guaranteed to have access
to. We will provide you with fun challenges, essential
tips and tricks and, of course, the top-flight creativity
that’s associated with Camera School. For the first
module, we’re asking you to capture a classic
overhead still life, also known as a flat lay.

Arrange your still life

Flat lays have taken the social media world by storm.
Whether it’s on your favourite Instagram account
or a designed brand advertising shot, this genre has
fast become a go-to for photographers everywhere.
To successfully set up and shoot an arrangement from
overhead, you’ll need to activate your perfection-led
creative eye and think about the aesthetics.
To start, all we ask is that you position your setup –
a chopping board or textured work surface – as close
to your window as possible, avoiding windows that are
facing into direct sunlight and casting harsh shadows.
Next it’s time to choose your cutlery. We’re limiting appearance of your subject, switch to aperture- Above Make
this to a maximum of three pieces, so keep this in priority mode and select an aperture of f/5.6, which sure your shutter
mind when selecting your props. Also, while spoons will give you a great balance of sharpness, while still speed stays at
are fun, they can be very tough when it comes to giving you a fast enough shutter speed and enough 1/125sec or
limiting reflections, so they are best avoided. Finally, brightness to capture well-exposed shots that are free faster to give you
you will also need some white card or paper, which of any camera shake or motion blur. the best chance
will be placed on the opposite side of your window to Talking of shutter speed, aperture-priority mode will for capturing
bounce light back onto your scene and subject. set this automatically, but you will need to make sure it sharp shots.
stays at 1/125sec or faster, so set ISO to 100 to start
Take advantage of aperture-priority with and increase to 200 and 400 if your shutter speed
One of the great things about flat lay photography is is too slow. You will also need to set Image Quality to
that everything is essentially on a single plane of JPEG and your camera’s Film Simulation mode, also
focus. While aperture choice can be an extremely known as Picture Style for some cameras, to
creative tool in your arsenal, it’s also responsible for Monochrome for a black
BACKGROUND
dictating the amount of sharpness throughout your & white shot straight out
An old wooden
scene. With that in mind, and gauging the near-flat of the camera. chopping board
or textured work
surface is great
for this.
HOW TO SET UP WINDOW LIGHT

YOUR WINDOW- Sunny days
work best, but
LIT FLAT LAY try to avoid any

windows with
Place your natural background direct sunlight.
– wood works perfectly –
horizontally in front of your
window. Make sure the light
is soft and even, not direct, and REFLECTOR
switch off other light sources. White card
Position a piece of white card opposite your
on the opposite side of your window light
window light source and angle SUBJECT bounces light
it until it bounces light back in. Set up your back in.
cutlery so it’s
centred in frame,
as per our shot.

72 PRACTICAL PHOTOGRAPHY