CRAP photographic composition
CRAP is an acronym to aid in remembering good photographic technique.
C.R.A.P. is the second half of good technique. Tutorials 1 & 2 were the first half. Later we will put all these techniques together to consistently produce good results. So what is C.R.A.P.? It is a principle I borrowed from Robyn Williams' book "the non-designers design guide" and use to create interesting images. "designed" photographs tend to have more interest than random photographs, imo. The acronym is easy to remember and implement whether you are pre-planning a large production shoot, or just on an afternoon hike with your camera.
The acronym stands for; Contrast, Repetition, Alignment, and Proximity.
Here are some examples of each.
C. Contrast - Light & Dark (exposure contrast) Big & little (subject contrast). Think of your desired object or intent and consider the antonym. Try mixing both ideas in one photograph. Some abstract examples would be; a baby walking in daddy's boots or a mother dog nursing kittens. You want to consider contrast in as many ways as possible when taking pictures. If you are just starting out, concentrate on what I call primary visual contrasts like light and dark or color contrasts like pink and blue. as you unconsciously begin to incorporate these into your images, add additional contrasting components and subjects. Thirdly, consider more abstract types of contrast like strong & weak, robust & fragile, or funny & serious. Dichotomy is a great photographic principle, but the word contrast is easier to remember!
R. Repetition - Subject matter, leading lines, and backgrounds. Elements repeated in a photograph have a great way of leading the viewer around the image, or creating primary or secondary visual interest.
Repetition can look planned or natural, as can any or all of the techniques mentioned here. You get to decide. Your decisions form the beginnings of your photographic style.
A. Alignment - There are several types of alignment. Subject alignment is the most common. According to Robyn Williams, every subject in the composition should have a visual connection to other subjects in the image. Even when subjects are physically separated from one another, there should be an invisible relationship to one another, kind of like an invisible line between subjects. These invisible lines can be straight or create basic geometric shapes like triangles or circles. A more abstract type of alignment would be to have the negative spaces in the image aligned.
P. Proximity - grouping subject items or "anti-groupings". Related subjects tend to go well together. It's not necessary to group all the similar items into one group - you can create multiple groupings (repetition). Also consider your relationship or distance (your proximity) to the subject. A wide lens used close to the action makes the photograph feel as if you are "right there" or "in it". Distance from the subject conveys a more voyeuristic or academic perception.
Strengthen your images by combining techniques.
Combining techniques strengthens your images. The average viewer may have no idea why you created the image the way you did, but the tendency is to prefer designed images over random ones. Good design is a common thread in most any artistic or scientific discipline. Photography is no exception. The last photo on this page combines all of these techniques.
Contrast - the three standing figures are contrast against the figure lying in the center of the road behind them.
Repetition - in addition to the repetition of standing figures, there is the repetition of the yellow line down the middle of the road acting as the leading line to the downed subject.
Alignment - the subjects are physically separated from each other yet strong geometric shapes (triangles) can be drawn between them.
Proximity - while the three standing figures are forward and above, the fourth subject appears to have "fallen from grace" and is notably below, behind, and outside of the group.
Keeping the forward group somewhat separated from each other helps to convey their dissociative mood and strengthens the photographs chimerical quality.
Does this mean it's a great photograph? Thats entirely subjective and irrelevant. what it means is I was able to explore and enjoy my stylistic boundaries and still produce usable images for the benefit of my client. Win Win! When you apply the simple techniques offered here, you will quickly find new and additional fulfillment in your images as well.