Photography 101

Lesson 4: Lesson 4: Making Your Scrapbook

You're finally reading to begin the actual act of scrapbooking, but if you're like most scrappers, just picking out your materials is a lot of fun! Take a deep breath before you begin. Remember not to eat or drink near your supplies and wash your hands before you begin handling your photos and acid-free paper. Get ready to begin preserving your memories!

Section 1: Planning

Open your idea book or magazine and begin looking through the layouts inside. Which ones attract your attention and draw your eye? Mark that pages that interest you, even if the colors used won’t work with your album. These layouts are guide and using different paper combinations and colors is perfectly acceptable. Go back through and take a closer look at the layouts you’ve marked. Try to see if you can figure out the key elements in the layout, as well as spacing. If you need guidance understanding how a layout was achieved, your local scrapbook store clerk will be happy to help. If you want more detailed guidance, try some books on layouts. Core Composition by Stacey Julian and Terina Darcey is an excellent resource.

Attached you will find some sample layouts.

Click to enlarge

Once you’ve found a layout you really like, or have decided on a layout of your own design, lay out your materials. Before you begin cutting, you need to make a few determinations. What size album are you using? Are you creating a single or double page spread? How many photos will the layout contain? Once you have made these decisions, begin laying the pieces onto the page to give yourself and idea of the final product. By giving yourself a mental picture of your layout, you can avoid costly mistakes later. Consider your color arrangement, placement, and balance.

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