I have been running, screaming from the thought of scrapping. I have always known, that like my passion for quilting, it would be an all-consuming obsession. But three weeks ago the occasion presented itself, like an unsolicited opportunity to drive in the Daytona 500, and it was time to strap in and pull the buckles tight.
My 17 year old son has achieved an outstanding accomplishment, and the only acknowledgment that will do is a memory book - one that will fill him with pride, and motivate him to stay the course and go on to even greater victories.
I needed to get up to speed - and FAST.
The first few layouts were easy. Flip through the photos from the last 15 months and select the best - the ones that highlight the special moments, the hard work, and the memorable activities. Add inspirational quotes that express the things we hope he has learned from and will remember, the lessons that will forever guide his future.
Then it happened. That one, single photo of a fun moment in time that was pure Thomas. And, nothing to go with it, the other shots stunk. I was stumped. Becca calls it Scraparalysis. I did what she advised. I simply took the big step and pushed through it. And, lickety-split, we have a winner! It is destined to become one of my favorites.
Click the "read more" link below to see how simple the digital technique was.
kings-dominion-smaller: 0 to 60
I wanted to portray the action and excitement. My son LOVES to go fast. I wanted to highlight the relationship and influence he has with his cousin, who worships him. The single photo wouldn't work alone. The others either put my subjects too far in the background, or my lack of skill with action shots obscured them as subjects.
I'm working with a small format, 8x8 pages. Cropping and enlarging removed the "feel" of the photos.
Photo editing was called for. This is a new past-time, and I am running on a budget. New software is not an option. I flipped through my Program Files, and found an old version of PhotoImpression that came with one of the kids' digital cameras.
I loaded the photo that displayed my subjects well, and began to play with effects that would give me the action I wanted. I settled on a "frame" that created a feeling of speed and motion.
On to some of the poorer shots that would demonstrate the excitement of racing and of the crowd. PhotoImpression offered 36 special effects to choose from - all at the click of a button. "Sketch!" That was it!
Black and white, that defined a racing color scheme. Checkered Flag come to mind? And, it eliminated the detail in the photos that made them poor choices for scrapping - Thomas' elbow obscuring his cousin's face, but showed the crowd in the background. A distance shot that made it difficult to to see my subjects, but clearly showed the competition.
Two mouse clicks and a "save." The photos were salvaged, and the color scheme defined. Point, click, and print. Digital enhancements to traditional scrapping. Too easy!
My refusal to give up complements his refusal to lose. Add a memorable motivational quote about priorities, and the layout is a reminder to both the creator and the recipient.
0 to 60 in three weeks. Indeed!
