With the rise of technology and computer enhancements, digital journaling and digital scrapbooks are also becoming popular. Scrapbooking is a phenomenon that has taken the nation by storm. This creative outlet is enjoyed by people who are interested in keeping their memories alive.
What is Digital Scrapbooking?
Digital scrapbooking is the art of creating scrapbooks using digital cameras and photo editing software on the computer. Through these two mediums, scrapbookers are able to enhance photos, change color photos to black and white and create whimsical cartoon pictures. In addition, digital images can be cropped, borders can be added, background colors can be changed and text boxes with a variety of fonts can be incorporated.
Save Money and Cleanup Time
Since all of the work with digital scrapbooking is done with some type of machine, digital scrapbooking does not have the hands on feel that traditional scrapbooking does. Scrapbookers who are adept at using computers and digital cameras can easily use software programs such as Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Photoshop Elements, Microsoft Picture It!, Paintshop or Paintshop Pro to make changes to their photos, design pages and create entire albums by touching a few buttons.
The initial expense of digital scrapbooking will include purchasing a camera, a computer-if you don't already have one-and the necessary software programs. You'll also want to invest in a high quality printer, photo paper and ink. While these items may not seem cheap, traditional scrapbooking involves thousands of pieces of paper and embellishments, which can be even more expensive over time.
Save Space and Time
Digital scrapbooking is a time and space saver. You will no longer need bins and folders to hold your equipment and supplies-all you will need is a camera, a desk area with a computer and a printer.
Once you get the hang of it, digital scrapbooking will save you time. As each layout is created, you have one more layout to reuse when needed and that's something you can't do with traditional scrapbooking. Your layout is ready to be used again at the touch of a button with digital scrapbooking.
Though digital scrapbooks can be stored online and on CDs, they can also be printed for gift giving and can be stored in your own home files. Because digital scrapbooking pages are one-dimensional when printed, digital scrapbooking albums will take up about one 1/8 of the space a handmade scrapbooking project normally requires.
Beautiful Today and Tomorrow
Digital scrapbooking pages and albums that are kept in an online folder will never fade. The colors will always be bright and vibrant, the embellishments will always appear crisp and the message will not fade over time. And digital scrapbooking pages can easily be shared from computer to computer.
Disadvantages of Digital Scrapbooking
While some may prefer the hands on project work of traditional scrapbooking, for those who are computer literate, digital tools and templates are exceedingly easy to use. That ease makes digital scrapbooking for those who already are computer literate an ideal method for keeping their memories intact.
 | Learn how to scrapbook with these beginner's tips on choosing materials, backgrounds and photos and laying out your first scrapbook pages. |
Whether you like to mix colors or keep accent colors to a minimum, if you let your own personal style and flow become the main force behind your creative scrapbook page layouts, you'll end up with scrapbooking pages and albums that show your unique tastes and styles. |
Even the beginning scrapbooker understands the importance of organizing scrapbook supplies and keeping them organized because scrapbooking is an activity that can involve anywhere from a few pieces of paper and embellishments to thousands of items. |
Today, most scrapbook papers are acid-free and lignin-free, but always check to be sure. Scrapbooking paper that is acid-free and lignin-free will hold color well and should last for generations. |
Scrapbook backgrounds, whether textured or smooth, plain or intricate, set the theme of each scrapbooking page. Taking the time to plan your scrapbooking background so that it creates balance with the layout, as well as the main photo, will be well worth the effort. |
