Digital Scrapbooking: Is it for you?

The concepts of digital artwork are making their way into the mainstream; so is the digital scrapbook. Certainly, we have a basic understanding of what digital art is, but what about digital scrapbooks? Is it the same as digital art?

They are both very similar and different at the same time in many ways but we are not here to get into a deep discussion on their differences and similarities. We are here to focus on digital scrapbooking as an alternative to the traditional paper scrapbook making.

Traditional scrapbooks are made by hand with several different materials such as papers, pens, letter cut outs, adhesives, and any other embellishments you can think of. The main principle is; to create a wonderfully decorated page that would give a better meaning to the message that you want to send with your page. Digital scrapbooking works on the same principles. You create unique page with decorations to enhance the meaning of your message.

What sets the two apart is the way you go about achieving this principle. As I mentioned, traditional scrapbooking uses physical materials to achieve what you want. Digital scrapbooking on the other hand uses computer graphics to replace these traditional materials. You may say it is harder to work on a page design using the computer than on an actual page (traditional scrapbook). But, honestly, it is almost the same.

Take for instance, the following example:

The traditional scrapbook is started on a background or layout (sometimes called a template). Then pictures, text, and embellishments are placed in a pleasing arrangement. The process goes like this: you place the pictures on the background, place some embellishments of your preference, and write some text (called journaling).

The digital scrapbook works on computer software with all the available digital embellishments and fonts at your disposal. You are using scanned pictures or pictures from your digital camera that will be placed on a chosen background. Put some text and add more design if you want. Then, with a bit more editing on the colors and borders, you have created a digital scrapbook page.

(Speaking of software. There are several software that will let you create digital scrapbooks. These are Microsoft® Digital Image Pro, Photoshop® Elements or Adobe® Photoshop®, Ulead PhotoImpact®, or Corel Paint Shop Pro®, to name only a few.) If you weren't sure about laying out any money before actually trying digital scrapbooking, tHere are several free photo editing programs that you can download from the internet that do as well for making digial scrapbook pages as the paid programs. They include The Gimp and Photobie.

More often than not, it is easier to create a digital scrapbook than a traditional one. This is because the software that lets you create a digital scrapbook can come with ready to use templates for text and backgrounds, not to mention the editing tools you will need. These features make it easier to create one unique page. Downloadable templates are always readily available over the internet to expand your choices as well as fonts for text, digital designer embellishments and backgrounds. I know it sounds intimidating for the novice but really, it is so super simple you'll be on your way to creating your digital scrapbook in no time!

To further illustrate how a digital page is created, without getting program specific, here are some general steps to follow:

· Create a new image from a blank canvas

· Define the size of the page you will use.

· Add your photo

Your photos will determine the color scheme of the layout, therefore, you may want to first decide what picture you are going to use.

To add a photo, you must first have one on your computer. You can either scan pictures or take them from your digital camera.

Now that you have a determined the size of your canvas and which photo you want to use, it is time for you to select your background. Here again, the choices are endless. You can download images from the internet (there are many designers of scrapbook papers, ribbons and elements that offer them for free or purchase and they are already fully coordinated with a theme) or you can actually use your photo as the background.

· Add the text and embellishments

Ready made texts and embellishments are one good feature of digital scrapbooking software. This helps you to put those important touches on your page quickly and easily.

· Apply some finishing touches

Final editing is as important as placing everything in order. Make use of built in features such as drop shadows, embossing effects and others. This helps your page look more attractive since it helps to highlight whatever you want to be the focus.