For the following flat lay images, I did not yet edit them in Photoshop. However, I did brighten them up and crop them some in Lightroom so they could be seen a little better. I attached the original and brightened images of each for reference.
#1. For my first composition that features 5 items, I first chose my laptop as so much of the designs we all do is graphics based. To accompany that, I added in my external hard drive as it houses all of my design work. From there, I added the notebook and pen combo (I'm counting this as one; be nice) because that is where all of my ideas, sketches, notes, etc. end up for all of my designs. I also added some sticky notes because I jot down ideas on these when I'm at work and don't have my notebook. And last, I included a bowl of goldfish crackers because I'm always snacking on something when I'm working on my designs.
#2. For my next composition where I now needed 9 items, I added my camera and my go-to camera lens because a big part of my student life has been photography. I added a Starbucks gift card. Even though I don't like coffee, I love Starbucks' bagels and other food items. I find myself there a lot either working on a design or editing photos. Finally, I added a water bottle because you always have to stay hydrated.
#3. For my last composition of 13 items, I added a tripod camera and off-camera flash as these are two of my newest pieces of camera equipment, but I find myself using them more and more. I also added a pack of gum because you always have to stay fresh. Have I missed brushing in the morning occasionally because I'm in a hurry or too sleep deprived from designing all night that I forget to brush and have to resort to a piece of gum? Who's to say. And last, I added my new business card for my personal brand. My business card is the coaster-like circular shape underneath the pack of gum.
One thing I am considering doing is finding a texture that I like to have as the background of each image instead of solid white. I wasn't able to find a texture that I wanted to use in my apartment so I chose the solid white. But if I find a texture I do like, I'm considering retaking the images with the new texture.
