Studen Blog

Computer-Aided Scrapbooking

Photographs are the basis for many themed scrapbooks as they are one of the best ways to remember a special event. Gone are the days of the 4 x 6 inch black and white photograph. Digital photography allows people to make copies of their photos and make them any size for their scrapbook albums. If you already have a computer, printer and digital camera, you are leaps ahead of other scrappers who do everything by hand.
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rIf you have digital photos choose the photo that you want to use as the main object on your scrapbook page. The size and shape of this item will determine the layout of your page. Since this photo is the main focus of the page, it must be chosen first as everything else on the page will be determined by the size and shape of the photo.
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rOnce you have chosen a photo for your album, print it the size you’d like it to be. Most people use specialized photographic computer paper, computer programs and ink to make the copies they want for their scrapbook. Check your favorite computer store for programs, paper, ink and printers that are appropriate for high-quality photographic prints. If you don’t want to make your own copies of the photos you can upload them to photo printing stores via the Internet. These stores will make prints to your exact specifications and post them back to you.
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rAfter you have chosen the focus of your scrapbook page, you may want to choose a mat to add emphasis to the theme and photo on your page. A mat functions as a mini frame to add depth to your scrapbook page. You may already have some mats around the house. You may have specialized cardstock or other sturdy types of paper to make a mat for the photo you have chosen, so simply cut it to size. Or you may want to use a mat that you already have, and print a photo to fit the size of the existing mat. There are many types of mats available for purchase if you don’t have anything to use. Choose a mat color that adds to the colors in the photo you are placing on your scrapbook page. But don’t choose a gaudy or overwhelming mat that detracts from the subject of the page.
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rAdobe Photoshop is a wonderful software program for scrappers. It is reasonably priced and easy to use once you get the hang of it. It allows a scrapper to add captions electronically to photos. Do you need to make some major changes in your photo? Photoshop can do that as well. Many of the functions of Photoshop are point and click, with most of the basic functions readily available on the toolbar.
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rOne of the most popular functions of Photoshop is cropping. Cropping a picture or photo can be done either using hand scissors or using a computer program that will crop the photo for you. Cropping is used to shape a photo or eliminate portions of the photo. When you crop a photo on your computer you can change the shape and size of the photo you are copying and printing. Follow the program’s directions to point and click your photo to the shape and size you’d like. Cropping and other photographic program features can also be used to eliminate items or people you don’t want in your photos.
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rWith a bit of practice, and patience, you will soon get the hang of using a computer to aid in your scrapbooking endeavors. And if you’re lucky enough to be a student, or have a student in the house, you can purchase your software at a much cheaper price.

November 28, 2007 @ 2:13 am