Why do I like doing my scrapbook pages on the computer? I learned to design my scrapbook pages on the computer with my Power Macintosh 4400/200. I scan in pictures from my UMAX Astra 600S, and print the color pages on my Epson Stylus Color 600. (I will be writing separate articles on the use of both the scanner and the printer in regards to scrapbooking.) The main reason I like computer scrapbooking is the fact that I can reduce or enlarge my pictures (both digital and prints) to the sizes I need for my pages. By having control over the reducing and enlarging, I can emphasize my most important pictures and reduce the size of the others on my page. I can also maintain good internal and external margins to give my page some consistency.
The second reason I like my computer for scrapbooking is the fact that I can crop the pictures properly and enlarge the part of the picture that I want to emphasize. I use my good judgment as to the shape of the original composition to determine if it should be vertical or horizontal in shape. At this point, I have only learned to put pictures in round, oval or other shapes that I like to use, but I will soon learn that too.
The control of the quality of pictures is the third reason I like the computer for scrapbooking. I always take every picture to Adobe Photo Deluxe so I can "Instantly Fix" it. I go into more detail about this in another article, but believe me, some of pictures from an photo enhancing program are better than your originals.
I also like the ability to place pictures in different frames that I can create on the computer. There are several in the basic Adobe Photo Deluxe that I have used for my scrapbook. Then there are numerous that I have motified with my Print Shop Deluxe program.
Still another reason I like the computer to help with my scrapbooking is the opportunity to add special effects to pictures that warrant it. Currently, I have the Adobe Photo Deluxe to posterize and do several other favorite techniques. I think the most popular was when I added these strange eyeballs to my grown son, his friend and me. My Grandchildren already think Grandma is exciting, but this really got their attention!
Making any pictures old-fashioned with the Adobe Photo Deluxe program really adds to the list of why I like my computerized scrapbooking. I have a collection of black and white photographs that really look sensational with the sepia effect. My husband and I printed them in our darkroom at home, and I can't wait to try this effect on my wedding pictures. Most of my professional wedding pictures are all black and white.
There are also resources to tint and paint your pictures on the Adobe Photo Deluxe program. I have tinted a number of photographs, and I find it much easier than using pens or real paints. All you need is the photograph and the computer. I liked them so much that I put some on my After Dark 3.0 screensaver so I could enjoy the work that I put into them. That's some other ideas for articles that I plan to write in the next few weeks.
Also, once I have my pictures on a zip disk, I can open it up to use it for t-shirt transfers, calendars and a multitude of other computer projects that is only limited by your own imagination.
Computerized scrapbooking also gives you the opportunity to make slide shows of your precious pictures once they're scanned in or loaded up with a digital camera. I currently have 5,000 slides that I am using for my pages. Starting in l998 I'm going to have a fresh videotape (and I'm making sure it is a quality brand), and I'm going to make a slide show of the entire year, and then make copies of it for my family for gifts. Actually, I can also put images from the computer into my digital and then load them into my vcr so I have a lot of options now that I have my basic Casio Digital Camera that I paid under $300 for in July, 1997.
Adobe Photo Deluxe also gives you the option of adding decorations from their clipfile on your photographs when you put your photographs on the computer. Most of them are not really my style, but I'm sure a lot of scrapbookers would love them.
Another advantage of computerized scrapbooking is the multitude of backgrounds available for paper. Lets see: I can make my own paper with Print Shop Deluxe, MacPublisher, Adobe Home Publisher, Web Explosion 20,000, Web Workshop, Microsoft Word 6.0, and I even have backgrounds from some of my computer games. There is also a huge library of them on my web page editors. I absolutely love making my own paper, but I also love all the backgrounds that are available to me on my web page editors.
Using professional type that you can change the size and font (family of type) is a real big bonus to me. Something I really notice scrapbookers doing is writing headlines that are too long for the space allotated for the headline. Then the headline becomes this tiny thing that doesn't really do what a title's supposed to do. It's like a banner telling you what's on the page. I try to plan my headline before I start adding my pictures so that I can use it to make an effective page. I also try my best to add a little story to go with my title.
If you make a typo while typing a caption, a title or your story, the nice thing about using the computer is that you can go back and change it, and then reprint the page. I do this with relatives I don't know, and my Mom is my editor. I don't know what I would do without her!
It's also easy to save your pages on disk so that you can print them off anytime you want to. There's no running to the copy store. You're able to use them for gifts and other functions at your discretion.
I also write more when I have the computer. Otherwise, I tend to put off writing my captions, titles and stories because I worry about how straight the type is and how it is aligned. I also think it takes a lot of time, and I don't have a lot of time when I'm a journalism teacher at a high school putting our a newspaper, a yearbook, and teaching beginning journalism, photography and English.
One of the best advantages to computerized scrapbooking is that you don't have to have a lot of tools because the computer has them. You can get free clipart, frames, borders, photo corners, backgrounds and other art from your software. You don't have to search for a paper you bought, a tool or any little machines. I like my scrapbooking really simple so I can get more pages done.
Also, you don't really have to worry about special scissors, glue or cutters, but you have the option of adding any traditional scrapbooking decoration that you want. If you want to use a punch or sticker with the computer page, it just makes that page more beautiful.
Another thing I like is the variety of papers for printing your scrapbook pages. Check them for acid with your ph pen and remember that ink can be a problem. The comforting thing to me is that I have the page saved on disk. I just make sure I keep the page safe just like I do my other pages. I try keeping them away from moisture, dirt and light. I also put all my computerized pages into protector sleeves to help preserve them from other environmental elements such as toddler's cute little fingers. My Grandchildren love to look at the pages over and over again, and they never hurt them! Also, the paper isn't so thick that you have problems in the archival process of all types of chemicals interacting if you're careful not to add too many different techniques to your computerized pages.
I see the future of scrapbooking to be the benefits of computers for each individual. I think there will be added the same effects we get by hand available on a computer. Things like punches, corner scissors, fancy scissors and shiny stickers will be available in my opinion. I don't know how the fuzzy or scratch'n sniff stickers could be replaced however. Anyone have any ideas? I also foresee that a scrapbooker will be able to easily place a picture in a circle, oval, or any other shape they want by using their computer and their scanner. They'll also be able to make lettering with any background they want by using the art tools on their computer. I want that feature to be as easy as clicking a mouse. For example, I find a background with small cactus. I want the ability to make letters from that background for my scrapbook page.
In the future I see art tools on the computer simulating anything we use by hand. Also, more and more scrapbookers will do their penwork with the drawing board that has a real pen. That gives you the power to change it without ruining paper or using ink from a pen or other medium.
I also see scrapbooks complete with sound, video footage, slides and animation of real people in their lives.
Finally, I know the real reason I like computers---I can change my mind anytime I make something I don't really like. I'm not stuck with it; I can throw it out, and I don't feel guilty because I don't waste a dime!
My Favorite Links
Poems and scrapbooking
Scrapbooking
More scrapbooking
Can you believe it---more poems and scrapbooking?
