two takes, one idea, works?

[cjt]

i.ibb.co/8xLR7jW/snow-trip-2.jpg


i.ibb.co/C2nyGbD/snow-trip.jpg

Was poking around in some photos from a winter or two ago. 
Decided to try a couple of things. 
Ideas on layout and fonts would be happily received. 
cjt

[VickiD]

cjt , I definitely like the first one better. Reason is that the text is so much easier to read. I also like the way it starts out small and gets bigger--try making it bigger with each iteration, that might look cool! As to the second page, putting text directly on a busy photo (and red text is very hard to read anyway) makes it so much busier. Also, to me, the font is a bit too decorative for the subject.

I think a gradient over the main photo on the second page, with the top faded, might improve it, but the background on that page is a bit 'in your face'. Not sure I'm describing it well. You could actually use that photo at a VERY low opacity as the background for the first version.

AND, since you started out looking for a snowy owl, I think some resolution of that search ("It was nowhere to be found" or "Nature conspired against our search", something) would tie it all together. I'm sure the real scrapbookers will have better observations and suggestions, but these are mine.

[jackscrap]

I loved your second page better, the use of the photo as a full background really tells the story of your dilemma. I wouldn’t normally use red in text, but it seems right here as it highlights the danger that you found yourself in.

[hmca]

I agree with both Vicki and Jacki and tried to take what I liked from the first image and combine it with the second. I especially liked the larger image at the bottom of the second.....wasn't sure about the red text though.

[VickiD]

Nice compromise, Helen! It looks much better now.

[hmca]

Thanks, Vicki. I'm guessing there are still some ideas out there and hopefully people will make add other suggestions. I think there might be a better way to make the text stand out against the snow on the bottom.

[jackscrap]

Very clever Helen, and as Vicki said, a nice compromise.

[cjt]

Helen, putting the two together with the gradient really works for me! May try different dimensions as well.
Choosing a font is one of the things I really don't like doing! Too many choices!!!
cjt

[hmca]

So glad, cjt . I did save the layers but it sounds like you have a handle on this.  As far as fonts go, I am never sure either.    cats4jan seems to be especially good at matching fonts with her work.  You might want to check out her pages on the scrap board....and she usually lists what font she has used.   Also Sepiana added this article to the Digital Scrapbook resources that might be helpful. 

Oh and your page tells a great story....well done!

[cats4jan]

I love a page that tells a story - which you have done well.  My comments are more about the relationship of the photos to each other. There is no reason photos cannot touch each other and even stack on each other. For me, it seems this strengthens the story as your eye goes from one photo to another without seeing space in between.

About text - try to keep it down to two - and the 'rule' is that one is cursive while another is printing - but I'm not sure I follow that rule.

I would like a title (a title will highlight the story you are trying to tell)- or your main text in a bigger font - drawing the eye to the 'topic'. And as already been discussed, text needs to be easily readable. Sometimes that is as simple as changing the color, but often it's the font that needs to be simple - especially if you have a lot of text on a busy background.  Another work-around is putting your text on tags like simple boxes of a lighter color - or using a brush under the text.

And don't forget to date your layout. Unfortunately, I am often guilty of forgetting to date - and when I look back at those layouts, I'm kinda surprised I didn't date. It's such an important factor because - although the occasion is fresh in your mind when you make your layout, months down the road you will forget when it happened.  As you can see in layout 1 - I didn't date it or specify where the photos were taken.  My bad 

I love pages with photos as background. As already been discussed, sometimes it's necessary to lessen the opacity of the background photo to let the other photos shine and to prevent conflict. Sometimes a photo will work at full opacity - when there is lots of non-conflicting areas on a photo such as these two.

Here are a couple of layouts that demonstrate some of my favorite ways of presenting multiple photos. See how they are close together and even overlap.  I was a 'tilting fool' for the longest time, so many of my photos are 'overly' tilted - but I usually do not go back and redo layouts when my way of doing things change - so you will see lots of tilting in my older layouts.  

The photos are mine

[cats4jan]

Here's one - no tilting allowed

The busy photo as background works with such busy photos because the opacity was reduced and the photos were framed.


-those beautiful photos were used with Sylvia's permission

-two fonts - one cursive, one block -

- frames have the drop shadow layer style added

-and yes, that photo on the right is running off the page on purpose - I like to do that sometimes

oops - no date again - I really break my rule all the time, don't I -
at least my 2022 logo is on the page to give some idea of when it was created.

[jackscrap]

Great advice from Janice, especially the bits about rules and breaking them as you please, that's always been the way I've done it😊.
Same goes for dates, places, names, titles and the story you want to tell/remember.

[VickiD]

WOW, Janice, that's a lot of well thought out information. I haven't made many pages so, if I start to, I'll have to remember: DATES and LOCATION (or subject).

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Helen, I read a book a long time ago about choosing and using fonts for design layouts. It's call The Non Designer's Design Book, by Robin Williams (NOT THAT Robin Williams!) Here's a link to the book, but you could pick it up at Barnes & Noble, too.

www.amazon.com/dp/1566091594?psc=1&smid=A25F1VOW2N3QFT&ref_=chk_typ_imgToDp

Information from this book helped me design all my own business cards and the flyers I create for different organizations I belong to. I love how the information is presented and that it's SHORT!

[cjt]

And now you can see why I really love this site! Thanks to you all for great help! I'll have to see where it leads.
cjt

[hmca]

cats4jan .....thanks as always for taking the time to share not only the information but the accompanying examples.

VickiD .....found a used copy on Alibris where the cost of shipping is more than the book....but considerably less than Amazon.  I have ordered from Alibris in the past and never been disappointed.

cjt ......thanks for using this board to ask your question.  We all can learn from each other from posts to this board.

I love our forum, too


Please note.....I tried to edit the link for Amazon but it just bounces back to my post as it does for Vicki's post above.  Occasionally this seems to happen when trying to add a link to a post.

Edit 2.....the Amazon links work on my phone but not on my computer......and I've already received notice that my Alibris order has shipped!