Digital Scrapbooking

by Kisha Geijer

My family always teases me about how much I love paper, but even so, I have never been able to get into scrapbooking. I love the idea of all the rich papers and embellishments available now, but I don't have much space for supplies, and I can't believe how expensive everything is! And, at heart, I'm a photo purist. I can't stand the idea of taking scissors to a photograph. Add that to my ever-expanding collection of digital pictures, and it's no surprise that I have become a digital scrapbooker.

Completing scrapbook layouts on the computer is affordable (no specialty papers to buy!) and there are few limits on what you can accomplish with some know-how and creativity. With a photo editing program or specialized scrapbooking program, you can pop your digital pictures into simple pages with a minimum of fuss and effort, or you can create stunning works of art and beauty. When you're done, you have a page that can be printed as many times as you want, either on your own inkjet printer or using a photo service. You can also upload the image to the web, or send it by email. When you have a layout you love, you can make copies of it, change the colors, text and pictures, and you've created a brand new page in minutes. You're limited only by your imagination.

There are two main things that you need to get started. First, you'll need to have a program to use for completing scrapbook pages. Most people either use a graphics program such as Adobe Photoshop or a specialized scrapbooking layout program such as HP Creative Scrapbook Assistant, but you could even use a word processor if you wanted. Secondly, you'll also need your photos in digital format. If you have a digital camera, this shouldn't be an issue for you, but film pictures can be scanned or put onto CD when you have them developed. Once you have those two things, you can get started on creating beautiful, professional layouts.

Thinking you can't do this because you're not an artist? You can't imagine using a computer to emulate torn papers and vellum, much less buttons and bows? Well, the other good thing about digital scrapbooking is that many other people are doing it now, and there are sites, such as Scrapbook-Bytes, with very kind people who share what they make at no charge, and you can also find tutorials on how to create certain effects. Many of the elements available are very beautiful, and as they're free, die-hard paper scrappers could print them and use them as well! (Please give credit and follow the posted rules regarding usage.) Another nice thing about digital scrapbooking is that it's not necessary to limit yourself to the computer. There's no reason you can't further embellish your pages after you print them out.

Admittedly, getting started with digital scrapbooking is a little more complicated than getting started with traditional scrapbooking. We all learned to use scissors and glue in kindergarten, after all! If you're not familiar with using photo editing programs, it may take some time to learn the basics, but if you keep at it, the results will be more than worth it.