Using Contrast in Photo Collages

I like to think of myself as Liz's biggest fan. Her templates just click for me, and I use them for at least 90% of the pages I make. Now that my son is older, I don't scrap those little moments quite so much anymore. I scrap about our outings and adventures, school activities, and the times we get to be with our extended family. In short, I scrap multi-photo layouts.

Some of my favorite templates are the ones with LOTS of photos, and the photo spots are right up against each other. Multi-Mini Templates is an example of this style.

There are no shadows between the photos, almost as if they are a single layer. These designs are modern and photo-centric, and they are ...  maybe a bit intimidating. I'd like to share some tips I've collected through trial and error.

The first tip that came to mind was that a collection of photos that are too similar to each other will not shine in this style of presentation. I had some photos from a trip to the snow, and I thought to myself: I could use these to show off a BAD example of using these templates. There will be white snow in all the backgrounds, they will all just blend together into a big blob. So I quickly threw my snow photos into one of the Multi-Mini Templates. And my result is the following, which I don't think looks all that bad. If fact, I think it looks great:

Were my instincts wrong when I supposed that photos with similar backgrounds would look bad together? I look another look at the template. Yes, they almost all had snowy white backgrounds, but I had done something without even thinking about it: many of the photos were cropped!

Here is the same template with the same photos, but every photo has been sized so that as much of the original photo as possible is visible:

I think it is safe to say that this second layout is not as good as the first. With all of the photos zoomed out, they do tend to get lost next to each other, with less contrast from one to the next. Contrast! That is the design principle that helps photos look great when placed next to each other.

When placing photos in close proximity to each other, try to optimize contrast between adjacent photos. This will help visually isolate each photo and make it stand out next to its neighbor. Here are some specific ideas:

• Crop: If one photo shows a wide angle view, try placing a cropped or macro photo next to it. As an added bonus, cropping in to people's faces can bring out the emotion or energy of the photo.
• Brightness: If one photo has a dark background, try placing a photo with a light background next to it.
• Color: Look for color contrast between your photos and place different colors next to each other. You can also process your photos to help with this: try a black and white filter, or an action that adds a haze or vignette to the photo.
• Subject: A photo collage is a great opportunity to show details as well as the big picture. When you take pictures of an event, try to remember to take some detail or close-up shots.

Here are three more examples I made recently. Look carefully at adjacent photos and see where I've used cropping, brightness, and color to accentuate contrast between adjacent photos.

Bold Double Templates 1 by Scrapping with Liz; Kits by Valorie Wibbens and Karla Dudley, Allison Pennington, One Little Bird, and Etc. by Danyale

Bold Double Templates 3 by Scrapping with Liz; Kits by Pink Reptile Designs, Valorie Wibbens, Laurie Ann, and Julie Bullock

Bold Double Templates 3 by Scrapping with Liz; Kits by Allison Pennington and Etc. by Danyale

I hope these simple tips will give you a little more confidence the next time you are picking out templates and photos. Even if you aren't using a flat collage presentation like I've used above, contrast among your photos will help to build an interesting and eye catching photo cluster.

Digital Scrapbook Shadow Techniques

I've had a few people ask me how I get realistic shadows on my digital scrapbook pages. I'm always surprised by this since I feel like my shadowing can always use more work. I'm constantly trying new things and adjusting what I do, never feeling that I'm quite there. But since you guys asked I'm answering.

Since there are so many great shadow tutorials out there I thought, instead of writing my own tutorial, I would just share the different tutorials I've read that have helped me. I'll also share with you some of the shadow styles I use, and I even made my own little set of FREEBIE shadow styles. They are the same styles I use on my templates.

Let's begin. The very first tutorial I ever read on shadowing was over at One Little Bird. She has a great tutorial (Shadowing - The Basics,) showing you the basic settings you should use for your shadows, and then she goes into more details on how to customize the shadows by putting the shadow on a different layer.

The very first set of shadow styles I ever downloaded was from Megan Turnidge. She has a free set (now unavailable) on her blog along with a little tutorial. That's where I learned to warp those shadows, probably one of the quickest, easiest ways to customize your shadows.

Chelle's Creations also has some great tutorials that I've read. Here's a great summary of some different shadowing techniques. You can also purchase Chelle's shadow styles here. (now unavailable)

I just read this tutorial about using the wave filter on paper layers and I'm definitely going to be trying it soon. It looks like such a simple way to get a realistic shadow on paper layers and even some elements.

For those of you who use Photoshop Elements and can't put your shadow on its own layer (which most of these tutorials require) make sure you check out this video tutorial from Fiddle-Dee-Dee Designs.

And here are some free shadow styles. These are what I usually use on my templates. They are just a start though, try some of the techniques above.

If you have any favorite shadowing techniques please share them in the comments. I'm always looking for ways to better my shadowing.

-Liz

7 Quick Title Tips for the Digital Scrapbooker

One of my least favorite things to add to my page when I'm making a digital scrapbook page is the title. I love alphas but placing all the letters, arranging, resizing, shadowing, etc...It just seems to take too long. I have a few techniques I use when I'm in a hurry to make a title and I don't feel like fussing with digital scrapbook alphas. I already wrote a tutorial on one of the ways I make my own titles here but that's not the only technique I use. Let me show you a few more.

Here's a page where I didn't really make a title. I thought the little tag that said forever would work perfectly on this page. I also added another tab to include just a little bit of journaling and another one to add the date. That's all this page needed.

Big Photo Fun Templates by Scrapping with Liz and Vintage Sprout by the Scrap Orchard Designers.

Sometimes I just use the included text title layer (always included on my templates) and type in my title and change the font to fit the page. On this particular page I blended the text in with the paper just a bit to make it looked like it was stamped. Check out this tutorial for an easy way to blend your text into your paper.

March Blog Template by Scrapping with Liz (available in my store soon) and Leavin' On a Jet Plane by Laura Banasiak and Jenn Barrette

On this page, I used a purchased layer style. Layer styles are great because you can add cool effects text and clipping masks that are already on your page. I like Mommyish for layer styles. I usually tweak them a little to get just the look I want.

Weekly Project Templates 4 by Scrapping with Liz and Capture Life: April by Tracie Stroud

If you need help installing layer styles check out this video tutorial from SuzyQ Scraps and while you are at it be sure to download the free kit. It comes with a set of drop shadow styles (which would be similar to how you would use other styles) and you can practice installing them and using them.

On this page, I just simply added a title to the tab on the top.

Template coming to my store soon! Helping Hand by Designs by Kat (retired)

Here I just added another title with a simple font on a tag that came with the kit.

Double Monthly Challenge Templates 3 by Scrapping with Liz and Little Miss Sunshine by Megan Turnidge and Tickled Pink Studio

Here I used a word art that was included in the kit.

Freebie Template on my Facebook Page and  Best Day Ever by Amanda Heimann and Word Art from Great Escape by WMSquared.

And I think it's safe to say that sometimes you just don't need a title. Sometimes the photos speak for themselves. In this case, I just added a bit of journaling.

Fancy Templates by Scrapping with Liz and Beauty from Within by Megan Turnidge.

So here's a recap of ways to add quick titles to your pages (in no particular order):

1. Type your title and use it as a clipping mask. Add some extra detail by adding inner shadows or a stroke. Tutorial Here: Making Your Own Title
2. Use journal bits that are included in kits.
3. Use a font and blend it in with the background. Check out this tutorial by SuzyQ Scraps: Fonts Don't Float
4. Use Layer styles on a font. Check out this video tutorial by SuzyQ.
5. Add a title to a tag.
6. Use already made word art.
7. Let the photo speak for themselves.

Hope that will help you speed up your scrapping a little bit.
-Liz