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Creating Segmented Photos
Note: Tutorial created using Adobe Photoshop CS2 with Mac OSX.
Have you ever seen something on a layout and wondered how it was created? Me, too! One of the things I love about Scrap Girls is all of the cool things there are to learn. Today, I'm going to show you how to make your photos look like they were printed on separate pieces of cardboard that are connected with wire rings.
First, create a new 12x12 inch document. Open the wired frame embellishment from the Thankful Collection and bring it onto your document. (This embellishment is also available with a commercial license in the ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Wired product in the boutique.)
Now the fun starts! Open a photo, drag it onto the document and place it above the cardboard frame. I want to use a photo of our oldest daughter and her family at the lake, so I am using the frame horizontally. The frame can also be used vertically if that works better for your photo. Go to Layer> Create Clipping Mask. Your photo will instantly be cut to the exact shape of the cardboard. If you don't like the placement of the photo, don't worry, you can move it around with the Move Tool and it will still be clipped to the cardboard.
The next step is to get the color and texture of the cardboard to show through the photo. Go to the Layers Palette and change the Blending Mode to "Overlay." The photo becomes transparent, allowing the cardboard texture to appear through the photo.
Depending on the photo, you may need to adjust the contrast and brightness to accommodate the darkness of the cardboard. Select Image> Adjustments> Brightness/Contrast to adjust the brightness and contrast of the photo. In the example below, both the brightness and contrast were boosted to make the image look brighter.
Finally, we will make it look like you have sanded the edges of the photo away, revealing the details of the cardboard. Select the Eraser Tool and a large, soft brush set to about 80% Opacity. Gently erase the edges of the photo away. This is much easier than using sandpaper!
Your photo is now finished and it looks as though you have printed it on cardboard. Thanks to the magic of digital scrapbooking, you won't have the added bulk of cardboard.
Because the beautiful mountains were eliminated from the picture by the clipping mask, I duplicate, enlarge and use the photo as a background paper.
Now, just add a background paper, a few embellishments and your layout is finished. See how easy this is? Look through your stash and you'll be creating segmented photos in no time!
Layout by Paula Wright
larger view
Tutorial written by Paula Wright
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