Deconstructing a Basic Scrapbook Layout

[cats4jan]

Here we have a basic scrapbook page.  A background, a photo strip (that rectangle under the three photos), 4 photos and some text.

There are no styles, no frames. No doodads.

Digital scrapbooking can be as busy and artistic as you want - or you can keep to the straight and narrow.  

Not sure why I picked gray as the background color when a soft yellow may have been better -
but a "hue/sat" layer would easily take care of that or I could just put another color background paper in it's place.

[cats4jan]

Don't like your basic layout? If you kept your psd, you can reopen it and start moving things around:

Notice how the background color affects the photos.  

Notice how framing your photo by simply putting the photo on a rectangle of color, changes its look.

Notice how a simple style such as "shadow" brings the photos to life

Notice how adding some doodads like that string fills some of the emptiness.

Still, a simple layout - easy to create.  

And yes, those background papers are supposed to be crooked - I'm a tilter, but usually I tilt so there is no question it's tilted.  LOL

[Squirrel2014]

Thanks for this, Janice - very helpful, especially giving an example of 'doodads'. I've seen that word but didn't have a clue what it was, or meant. So, presumably swirls or a scattering of dots might be called 'doodads' too? Elements are more specific things then?
Julie

[cats4jan]

Julie -

Doodads? - technically, scrappers call these things embellishments, but for some reason, to me, "doodads" seems a better word.

I guess I should use the correct term. LOL

Embellishment is more descriptive, isn't it.  Those "doodads" embellish a layout.

I avoid the word "elements" because most scrappers use Photoshop Elements to create their layouts.  However, "element" is a term used by some scrapbook kit designers.

I probably should use the correct term - "embellishment" - so that established scrappers know what we're talking about.

I think anything that "embellishes" a layout - i.e., a flower, a ribbon, a shape, a graphic - would be considered an embellishment.

[Squirrel2014]

Thanks for the explanation, Janice. So 'elements' or 'embellishments' would be the 'proper' terminology and the 'colloquial' term (amongst scrappers that you've influenced) is 'doodads'? Yes, now that I understand (I presume), I can cope with that. Like any hobby, or whatever, there is always some amount of jargon, or techniques, names given to the work, which people who join in have to learn. I'd understood 'embellishments' and 'elements' before so it was just the 'doodads' that I thought might be something different altogether

Yes, I understand why 'elements' can get confusing.

Thanks again, I feel like I'm learning a new language re scrapping Loving it though
Julie

[Sepiana]

Jan 17, 2016 0:39:25 GMT Squirrel2014 said:

I feel like I'm learning a new language re scrapping

Julie, you may want to check this THREAD.  I have just added some information on the terminology of digital scrapbooking. Hope it helps!