Hello Friend! 
 
We made it to week 3 or the 6-wk flatlay challenge! I am so glad you are here. If you missed these, please find Assignment 1 and 2 here. 
 
In this newsletter you will find Assignment 3 prompt along with some inspiration, tips on how to style and shoot it and props to include. 
 
To participate:
  1. Create and Photograph your Flatlay
  2. Share it on Instagram with Hashtag #naughtyteasflatlaychallenge
  3. Don't Forget to Tag me @mangelka to be featured
  4. Check out @naughtyteas gallery to get inspired
 
Assignment #2 Review & Feedback 
Thank you for all your lovely submissions for the Square Composition Challenge.  There were so many beautiful entries! I shared some favorites along with my notes and observations and saved them under the Flatlay Highlight @mangelka and @naughtyeas 
 
Please take a moment to say 'Hi' to others who entered the #naughtyteaschallenge, watch Square Composition REEL tutorial here and here and test your knowledge with a Photostudy Quiz (Answer Key included)  before you jump into the next Assignment. 
 
#3 Assignment: Triangle Composition 
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Compose your objects in a triangle to keep the eyes moving:
You can use a variety of different layouts for your flatlay, but composing your images in a triangle will help keep your viewer’s eye locked and moving within the frame. I find myself gravitating towards a triangle because it helps me organize the scene more intuitively, connect main elements to tell a story that resonates, and creates diagonals within the frame for more dynamic and memorable images. 
  • A triangle will appeal to the viewer’s natural sense of curiosity, as the eye travels from one element to another, creating the illusion of visual connection and story within the scene.
  • The momentum within a triangular shape can help create visual drama and evoke strong emotions
  • It can create order in chaos and communicate a message
  • Embrace the rule of odds: when you’re including a group of subjects in your photo, an odd number, rather than an even number will produce a more interesting, and more visually pleasing composition.
  • BONUS: Try the Golden Triangle.
    •  Over time, artists have developed different compositional concepts to help create appealing imagery. The golden triangle is a visualization that divides the frame into four triangles, like this:
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And by incorporating triangles or the golden triangle overlay into a photographic composition, you can control the energy and focus of an image. See Lesson 8 of my class 
TRY THIS: 
  1. Fill one of the triangles with a main subject.
  2. Line up a significant point in the composition with one of the intersections
  3. Apply this to flatlays AND Vignettes
  4. When using Lightroom on desktop, try this garden triangle CROP overlay to guide your composition
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When choosing the tree main elements make sure:
  1. They have substantial visual weight -  Lesson 3 (shoot prep/props) in this class
  2. Their colors go well together (complimentary or analogous) - see Lesson 8 on color theory in this class
  3. They are united in telling the same story, making sure to only include props that help tell the story (Ex. relaxing tea time with a book and flowers makes sense, whereas teatime with a book and …scissors doesn't (unless you are about to cut up the book))
 
 
 
How to create a Triangle Composition
  1. Using the Rule of Thirds as a starting point to compose you triangle composition will make your styling faster and easer and dictate placement on the major elements in the scene - see Lesson 7 on achieving balanced compositions in this class 
  2. When planning a flatlay, it helps to draw a triangle in the mind's eye, on paper (see template), or trace it with a thin thread (or chalk) on your styling surface, then place your main elements on the vertices.
  3. Chose a hero (major subject) among the three elements and position the other 2 objects as leading lines pointing towards the hero (this can be subtle directional change: turning the flower heads slightly towards the cup, or the teacup handle towards your product) - Lesson 6 of this class
  4. Place smaller objects and tiny detail along the imaginary sides of the triangle - they will create leading lines towards the main elements - see Lesson 3 in this class
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How to Level up Your Flatlays
  1. Add layers and flowers to add texture and life to your composition - see Lesson 7
  2. Try out my secret flatlay formula to create dimension - see Lesson 8
  3. Capture your scene from different shooting angles - see Lesson 5
  4. Use these tips to instantly improve your composition - see Lesson 4
  5. Learn Color Theory to enhance your photos - see Lesson 8 here
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Camera & Lighting for Perfect Flatlays
  • Keep your camera or phone parallel to the flat surface/backdrop - turning on the grid (and level) on your phone will make framing easier and help keep your lines straight.
  • TRY THIS: Explore different shooting angles, focus on different parts of your scene, capture some close-ups thus creating more content from every shoot.
  • Use Reflector/Diffusor: use white foam board to reflect more light into your photo and fill in the shadows OR diffuse direct bright light  with parchment paper or transparent fabric placed against the window. See Lessons 3&4 of my class
  • Set up your shot near a bright window. Natural light works best for flat lays. Look for an area with even lighting.
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As a reminder, my freebie resources are always delivered exclusively through email, BUT did you know that as a subscriber you also have access to my Creative Resource Library? You'll find a lot of past goodies here (password: naughtyteas)
 
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Cant's wait to see what you create!
Olenaxxx
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