In photography, a flat is a specialized camera designed for copying artwork, documents, or other flat subjects. Typically mounted on a vertical column similar to a photographic enlarger, it allows the photographer to position and focus different sizes of artwork or documents for accurate reproduction.
Flats are commonly used in archival, museum, and graphic arts photography, where precise, distortion-free copies are required. By providing consistent lighting and adjustable positioning, flat cameras ensure high-quality duplication of images, paintings, manuscripts, and other flat media, making them an essential tool for professional reproduction and documentation work.