Her GadgetMatch
Smartphone photography 101: Taking flat lays
Keeping it straight and casual for beginners
If you frequent Pinterest and Instagram, I’m certain you encounter a lot of flat lays. In case you didn’t know, it’s one of the most popular genres of smartphone photography. Despite the popularity and abundance of tutorials, people still struggle with taking flat lays.
As someone who always takes flat lays both for work and personal reasons, I’m going to give a few tips and tricks on how you can maximize your smartphone for your flat lay needs. Take this as a refresher if you’ve forgotten all those flat lay tutorials you’ve studied in the past.
Setting up
Before you start pulling out your smartphones, use them to find inspiration first. Browse and scan excellent flat lays on Instagram, Pinterest, and other inspiration-filled platforms. Soak up all the goodness and the shots you like and let it sink in.
When you’re done, decide on a theme for your shoot. What story do you want to tell? Once you figure this out, you can start assembling your props.
Make sure you follow a color palette, and pick different shapes and sizes to ensure balance — which is the most important trick in shooting flat lays. Remember, the message is important. Don’t shoot just because you want to shoot.
Shooting
Pick a background and compose your shot
Grab your props and set them up on a table. My ideal time to shoot is always in the morning or late afternoon when the light isn’t harsh. Shooting at noontime will produce strong shadows and contrast, deeply impacting the quality of your flat lays.

Shot on Samsung Galaxy S20 FE (1x Auto) | Cookies by @ovenfulbyian
If your spot is a little bit dark, never use flash. Just move somewhere with ample lighting. For instance, I set up next to a window. Sometimes, I shoot at the shaded area of my porch.

Shot on Samsung Galaxy S20 FE (1x Auto) | Cookies by @leezipotato
When you’ve assembled your props, make sure to leave spaces between objects to make your set breathe. And don’t forget to mix up and play around with the props.
Shoot it straight from the right distance.
Cameras use different focal lengths, which is why sometimes taking flat lays using a smartphone or a certain lens can cause a distorted output. It’s difficult to straighten the photo when your primary camera uses a wide lens.

Shot on Samsung Galaxy S20 FE (1x Auto) | Chocolate crinkles by @ovenfulbyian
Finding the right distance by standing up on a stool, an elevated block, or climbing a ladder is the key to taking proper flat lays. If you think you’re too cool to make an effort by standing up to get the right shot, girl, bye.
Kidding aside, once you find the right distance, you have two options: Shoot at 1x then crop it later or shoot using 3x optical zoom. In my stint with the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE, I used both 1x and 3x to achieve a straight shot.

Shot on Samsung Galaxy S20 FE (3x Optical Zoom) | Chocolate crinkles by @ovenfulbyian
Although, you need to balance yourself while shooting. Not all smartphone cameras are made equal, some struggle maintaining focus when using optical and digital zoom features.
Consider this before you complain about how you can’t take a proper shot or blame it to your smartphone. You always need to adapt and be smart in the way you handle different situations.
Post-processing
Have fun editing, but don’t go overboard.
Forget those who glorify using and uploading raw photos. Import your photos to an editing app, and make some magic. Turn an ordinary photo into something even more captivating.

Shot on Samsung Galaxy S20 FE (1x Auto), Cropped and increased exposure via Adobe Lightroom Mobile | Cookies by @ovenfulbyian
Just make sure you don’t edit it too much that it’s borderline unrealistic. You can use existing presets, or you can tweak around the settings to learn more about post-processing. The possibilities are endless.
SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy S20 FE review: Premium phone you can afford
Smartphone Photography 101 series:
Smartphone photography 101: Foreground element
Smartphone photography 101: How to take slice of life photos
Accessories
Takashi Murakami and CASETiFY’s new collab is in full bloom
The third chapter of the Murakami collection is here!
There’s something about Takashi Murakami’s art that feels like a shot of pure happiness.
Those smiling flowers — bright and a little mischievous — have appeared everywhere, from gallery walls to fashion collabs. And now, they’re blooming once again through CASETiFY’s latest collection.
Called FLOWERS BLOOM, this third chapter of the ongoing TAKASHI MURAKAMI x CASETiFY collaboration brings the artist’s most recognizable motif into a fresh lineup of tech accessories and travel gear.
The collection includes the FLOWERS Ripple Phone Case, which arrives through a surprise blind box (yes, you’ll have to unbox it to see which design you get).
It also comes with the FLOWERS Carry-On Suitcase that takes CASETiFY’s signature ripple texture and turns it into a piece of art.
There’s also a rainbow camera ring, gold-accented cases, and collectible charms and danglers that look as cheerful as they sound.
Murakami’s FLOWERS motif has long represented his “Superflat” style, melding traditional Japanese art with pop culture in a way that feels both nostalgic and new.
For collectors, the blind box adds a sense of thrill, with ultra-rare designs like the shimmering FLOWERS 18K Gold Case waiting to be discovered.
Meanwhile, the carry-on luggage and wireless chargers make the motif part of your daily rhythm.
The new lineup feels like a love letter to Murakami’s world, a reminder that joy can be part of your everyday life. It’s bright, bold, and unapologetically happy. And in a world that often feels gray, these blooms are exactly what we need.
Price, availability
| Product | Price |
| FLOWERIAN DANGLER BLIND BOX | PhP 2,590 |
| FLOWERS RIPPLE PHONE CASE BLIND BOX | PhP 3,990 |
| FLOWERS SNAPPY GRIP STAND (RAINBOW/BLUE/BLACK/RED/PINK) | PhP 4,290 (RAINBOW) /
PhP 3,990 |
| FLOWERS MAGNETIC WIRELESS CHARGER (RAINBOW/BLUE/BLACK/RED/PINK) | PhP 4,590 (RAINBOW) /
Php 4,290 |
| EXCLUSIVE FLOWERS CHARM KEYCHAIN | PhP 4,790 |
| FLOWERS (RAINBOW) CHARM KEYCHAIN | PhP 4,790 |
| LIMITED EDITION MULTI-FLOWERS PHONE CASE –
RAINBOW CAMERA RING EDITION |
PhP 5,290 |
| FLOWERS (RAINBOW) PHONE CHARM | PhP 4,790 |
| FLOWERS (RAINBOW) PHONE CHARM & CHARM CUBE SET | PhP 5,290 |
| FLOWERIAN DANGLER BLIND BOX SET (X4) | PhP 10,360 |
| FLOWERIAN EARBUDS CASE | PhP 15,890 |
| FLOWERS RIPPLE CARRY-ON SUITCASE (RAINBOW/BLUE/BLACK/RED/PINK) | Not sellable in PH |
Her GadgetMatch
These Dyson drops are the home upgrades you didn’t know you needed
Yes, we’re adding Dyson to the wishlist, and you should too!
Dyson surely knows how to make an entrance.
At IFA 2025 in Berlin, James Dyson himself arrived in a vintage Mini before pulling the cover off a lineup of new and re-engineered gadgets.
From supercharged hair tools to whisper-quiet purifiers, these are the pieces that prove Dyson is still the gold standard in making everyday life feel smarter and sleeker.
Dyson Airwrap Coanda 2x
Meet your new vanity essential. The Airwrap Coanda 2x takes the cult-favorite multi-styler and cranks it up with Dyson’s fastest hair care motor yet.
With 6-in-1 versatility through drying, curling, waving, straightening, smoothing, and volumizing, it’s like having an entire glam team tucked into one sleek wand, minus the heat damage.
Dyson Supersonic r
Smaller, lighter, and even stronger, the Supersonic r is Dyson’s most powerful hair dryer to date.
Its chic 38mm body is a statement in itself, but the real magic is how it dries fast while keeping strands shiny and smooth.
Attachments automatically adjust airflow and heat, so your at-home blowout feels like a salon moment every time.
Dyson V8 Cyclone
The vacuum that started a movement just got an upgrade!
The V8 Cyclone cordless vacuum now has more suction, more runtime, and a hot-swappable battery so cleaning marathons feel less like a workout.
Add a new triggerless button and three easy modes, and you’ve got a machine that’s as efficient as it is effortless.
Dyson V16 Piston Animal
Think of this as the heavyweight champ of vacuums. The V16 Piston Animal deep cleans every corner, picks up long hair without tangling, and even washes floors with its upgraded Submarine roller.
With a bin that holds up to 30 days of dust, it’s built for those who want their home to sparkle without constant emptying.
Dyson HushJet Purifier Compact
Who knew purifiers could be powerful and quiet? The HushJet is engineered to deliver whole-room purification while staying whisper soft, down to 24 dB in Sleep mode!
Small but mighty, it’s perfect for bedrooms, work-from-home nooks, or anywhere you crave fresh air without the fan noise.
Dyson Spot+Scrub AI robot
This is not your average robot vacuum. The Spot+Scrub uses AI stain detection to go back over stubborn marks until they’re spotless, plus it vacuums and washes floors at the same time.
It even cleans itself as it goes! Consider it your tireless little roommate who insists on tidiness.
Dyson Clean+Wash Hygiene
Wet cleaning, but make it hygienic. This lightweight cleaner ditches dirty filters in favor of a roller that refreshes with every pass, leaving floors streak-free and fresh. With a self-cleaning cycle, it’s as low-maintenance as it is effective.
Dyson PencilVac
Slimmer than your favorite tumbler at just 38mm, the PencilVac is Dyson’s most minimalist vacuum yet. It glides under low furniture, tackles mess in every direction, and still flexes laser dust detection. Proof that cleaning tools can double as design objects.
Dyson Cool CF1 and Dyson Hot+Cool HF1
Dyson’s bladeless icons are back with smart new tricks.
The Cool CF1 fan brings app-connected cooling with refined oscillation, while the Hot+Cool HF1 heats rooms faster and quieter than ever. These bring comfort and control, all from your phone.
Dyson Omega Nourishing Range
Yes, Dyson is doing haircare and it’s dreamy.
The Omega range blends seven omega-rich oils (including sunflower oil from Dyson’s own farms) into a hydrating hair oil and leave-in spray. It’s glossy, healthy hair bottled up, powered by a mix of science and sustainability.
Her GadgetMatch
This Glossy Pink OPPO Reno14 F 5G is giving pastel daydream vibes
A charming new shade that makes your phone feel like a treat!
If phones could look like candy, the OPPO Reno14 F 5G in Glossy Pink would be the prettiest one in the jar. Soft, charming, and a little bit dreamy, this new shade feels like carrying around a pastel daydream in your hand. And yes, it’s as fun as it looks.
A pastel-perfect phone with serious smarts
The Reno14 F 5G may look like a treat, but its features are all about performance. With AI Flash Photography, you can say goodbye to grainy low-light shots.
Even in dimly lit cafés or at golden hour, your photos stay bright, clear, and effortlessly flattering. Add AI Livephoto 2.0 into the mix, and even your candid memories come alive with detail.
Forget spending hours adjusting sliders. With AI Editor 2.0, the Reno14 F 5G polishes your shots with just a few taps. Whether you’re reframing or letting AI Recompose do the heavy lifting, your photos transform into scroll-stopping moments instantly.
Your candy-colored crush
Sweet on the outside, bold on the inside! This phone even lets you explore underwater worlds in 4K.
Thanks to its IP68/69 dust and water resistance, you can capture your next poolside hang or spontaneous lake adventure with clarity that feels almost cinematic.
At the end of the day, what makes this phone extra special is how it looks. The Glossy Pink finish is soft, stylish, and playful. It’s like a pastel accessory that complements your style while powering your creativity.
The OPPO Reno14 F 5G (8GB + 256GB) in Glossy Pink is now available nationwide for PhP 21,999 through OPPO Brand Stores and official e-commerce platforms. Until September 21, you can also enjoy bundle offers and flexible payment plans.
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