My Top Down Photography Process- Step by Step guide for beginners

Key takeaways discussed in this video:

1. make your hero the largest object in the scene
2. do not cut off the edges of your hero for this particular shot
3. align the hero with a line on the rule of thirds grid
4. add colour and texture (star piping tip is great for creating texture, highlights and shadows)
5. use high contrasting props (white against dark tile backdrop)
6. non reflective backdrops work well (tiles in this instance)
7. use fresh ingredients for best results (basil with stems sitting in water for example)
8. if photographing with a video light, take note to cut out any ambient light as needed
9. aperture can be a little more open since items are aligned on the same plane of field (flat lay in this instance)
10. Keep ISO as low as possible for best quality / no noise in the image
11. if the camera is on a tripod, you can afford to have a lower shutter.
12. Choose the prettiest side of your food (toast has two sides to choose from) and use clean props
13. add interest and contrast in the form of colour (paprika, basil, oil drops etc).

my camera setting:
Camera: Sony A7IV
Lens: 24-70mm (Sigma) at 45mm
ISO: 50
Aperture: F4.5
Shutter: 1/13