Digital Variations - so many Possibilities!

The layout I posted for the challenge a couple of days ago was based on a digital sketch.  I used some Creative Memories papers that are no longer available when I created a traditional layout from the sketch.  One of the many things I like about digital is that you never run out of your favorite paper

This was the sketch that I made and used for the challenge.  When you create a layout digitally you can save your page and use it as a template for additional pages.  You simply click and fill all of the elements with new items.  You can actually trade and share the pages you create so a friend can use the same design with their own photos.  You could also use this process to set up a team or club book where each person has a standard page to complete with their own photos and text.  If there are enough of my blog readers who use StoryBook Creator Plus 3.0 and who are interested in doing a click & fill challenge or a swap, I will try to set one up soon. Please leave a comment to let me know.

 

This was the paper page I created for the challenge using older photos.  The blue circle is waiting for some journaling to be added.  I was fairly happy with it but a little frustrated that my photos were small and not as close up as I would like.  These photos were taken before digital and actually are in the 3 1/2 x 5 size (they are from almost 17 years ago!).

I decided to do a quick experiment and try to complete a digital version of the layout.  I have the digital version of the papers I used (except for the largest circle) so I was able to come fairly close.  I scanned the photos before I cut them up for the first layout.  In the version above the photos are filled in the same spots at about the same size.

With the magic of digital, I was able to zoom in on the photos and focus on the people I wanted to highlight.  This give an entirely different look to what is basically the same page.

With a few clicks, I can add shadows to the images for more definition.  I can even add mats of whatever width and color I want.

In this case, the thin white edge framing the photos really lets them "pop" and the shadows make the items seem three dimensional.

You can even go a bit crazy adding extra embellishments.  The nice thing is that it just takes a click to add or remove something so none of your "mistakes" have to become permanent.

Here is the same sketch template filled with papers from a different digital kit.  They don't match the photos but they make an interesting page.  This took about a minute to do - so much faster than cutting all of those pieces and then discovering that you did not like the results!

If you really prefer to do paper layouts, you should consider scanning your older photos and then making them the perfect sizes for the page.  I think it really makes a difference.  Have a great weekend!