Flexible Design with Photo-Editing

Normally, I begin to build a scrapbook page based on a photo that inspires me. I choose the colors, paper, and embellishments based on that photo. However, like most scrappers I have acquired an abundance of scrapbooking supplies. So, sometimes I give myself permission to enhance or alter a photo or two, so that I can use that paper or embellishment that I just had to have. All you need is the ability to photo-edit (possibly scan if not using digital images) and print your finished result. A home photo printer is not a requirement since most of these options are available at picture making machines at various store locations.

Turn the photo to Black & White. There is something so sophisticated and chic about black and white photos. For the purpose of scrapbooking design, changing your favorite color photo simplifies your color choices and allows you to focus on the underlying mood of the photograph. Since there won't be any clashing colors, you are free to experiment with color combinations of your choice!

Turn the photo to Sepia. Love the look of heritage pages but lack the appropriate aged photos? Sepia turns any color photo into an instant classic. Choose sepia when you want the photo to blend well with the background colors, or when you want a strong contrast between the softness of sepia tones and the brightness of black, red, or other strong pure color.

Change the color altogether by altering the hue. Experiment with changing the hue on your photos with photo-editing software. Using these programs, the entire original photo can be changed to varying shades of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, or purple. The results are very dramatic and eye catching. One tip though, choose a color that suits the mood of the photo. For example, blue for a pensive child or red for an angry youngster.

Enhance a part of your photo. Photos can easily be cropped to edit out distracting backgrounds, but you can also make the photos you end up with even better by enhancing the color saturation. With photo-editing software, you can increase the color saturation to adjust the brightness and the pureness of your colors. Let's say you want your Grandmother's Easter hat to be the focus of your layout. Her hat is a light dull blue. By increasing the color saturation, her hat will become brighter and richer looking, and more worthy of your wonderful layout.

Anything goes! That's right. With all the different types of photo-editing software on the market, you can find filters that change your photos to mimic the look of chalk, cartoons, photo-copies, mosaics, paintings, and film grain. (See example) The possibilities are endless. Try cropping out a color element and laying it on top of the same photo in black and white. If you are less computer savvy, you can purchase photo tinting paint at your local craft store to tint black and white photos to get the same look.

In the interest of safety, always use copies or scans when experimenting with photo alteration or photo-editing. Let your imagination be your guide. Maybe you didn't take the perfect photo, but now you can have it anyway. Just remember to have fun creating lasting memories for your friends and family.

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