Multi Photo Layouts

[shazzt]

Meg has asked me to share how I go about doing multi photo layouts. Like many people, I find these challenging but here are some ideas I use:

Sort out the photos you think you might want to use. You don't have to make final decisions at this point. Once you have an idea of how many there are and their quality, you can start to make some decisions. Look at the photos critically:

Is there a strong photo that makes an obvious focal point?
Are there several photos of equal importance?
Do the photos show a sequence of action or changes over time?
Do you have many photos of an event but they are of average quality?


Think about whether you want to include journalling on the layout and how much you think you might write. If journalling is an important aspect of the page, consider writing it first (or at least a draft) so that you have an idea of the space you will need.

Next I would think about the layout design. Remember you don't have to reinvent the wheel – use sketches and layered templates (quick clicks) or scraplift a layout you like to get ideas. When looking for layout designs that might work with your photos, the sorting you did in step one will help:
Is there a strong photo that makes an obvious focal point? Consider a design with a larger focal point photo and several smaller, supporting photos.
http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/data/672/kelly-tarltons.jpg

Are there several photos of equal importance? Consider designs which feature several photos of similar size.
http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/data/500/dadsbirthday.jpg

Do the photos show a sequence of action or changes over time? Consider designs that have photos side by side so the action sequence can be highlighted.
http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/data/500/slide3.jpg

Do you have many photos of an event but they are of average quality? Consider using a grid type design or group photos together so that they make one large “whole”.
http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/data/500/yumcha.jpg
http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/data/500/cc2006.jpg

Not enough space? Make a two page layout instead!
http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/data/4046/swimming-lessons2.jpg

Once you have your photos in place, then make your decisions about backgrounds and embellishments. Some design hints:

Remember you can use embellishments and colour to help leader the viewer's eye around the page.

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/data/500/defineyourself.jpg


Try making a frame within your layout to “contain” your photos and journalling

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/data/500/oldmcdonaldsfarm.jpg


Overlapping or grouping elements or photos helps connect them and can be great way to use a lot of photos. The visual connection helps them appear to be one element.

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/data/500/xmasparade2006.jpg


Use elements like film strips, multiple photo frames and overlays to provide homes for your photos

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/data/500/shabbylook.jpg

[shazzt]

For a more print friendly version, there is a pdf copy of the above in the Freebies gallery (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/freebies/multiphoto.pdf).

[dagwood]

.thanks very much ....... all hints graceful accepted, I have saved copy of pdf file to hard drive so I can really study it. I have trouble getting multi photos on to a page, so this will be a great help. Partially like the Yummy cake one, as I seem to take many photos of an event but they are of average quality. now I don't have to despair quite as much.

[shazzt]

And if you are wanting more multi photo inspiration, this blog (http://scrapbooklayouts.blogspot.com/index.html) features ONLY multi photo layouts from many different artists. There is some amazing work there.

[Vallie]

This is so informative, I just bought one of the QCs shown above that has 9 small photos. I think these layouts are fantastic and very inspiring. :yahoo:

[tape]

Thank you, Sharon! This is great stuff!

[lrjennings]

Thank you so much! I also saved the .pdf for later reference and reflection. I just have to echo what y'all already know - the folks here are the most helpful and supportive around. I'm so glad I found a place here!

[Tina]

great inspiration, Sharon!

[BethyNixon]

Fantastic!!
I LOVE multi-photo layouts and I'm saving this information to study!! Thanks Sharon!

[~Heather W~]

Oh, handy, I rarely do single photo layouts, but like the inspiration to get out of my own rut for dealing with them!

I peeked in your gallery because I really love the star doodle in the swimming layout and wanted to find it, but wow, I have to go back when I have more time, you have totally inspired me! :) When my daughter was young I did monthly layouts about each month, I really ought to get back to that now!

[Becky Soto]

This is great info Sharon, thank you!!! I don't often do multi-photo layouts, as it's a challenge for me, this is a big help! :)

[stitchmich]

Sharon, Thank you so much!! This is terrific info. Very helpful and inspiring.

[Donut]

Thank you Sharon! I am going to study this and your multi-photo layouts, each and every one is so inspiring!!

[tape]

Here's my multi photo LO inspired by Sharon's instructions:

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/data/2621/thumbs/garden_tape.jpg
Garden of Eden? (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=177415)

I used a quick click to save time and because I liked its composition, with lots of overlapping and interesting shapes. I had a strong photo that made an obvious focal point, so I made that one the biggest. I also had a secondary strong photo (the cherub/whatever statue) that went well with my title (a biblical allusion). I tried to form a visual triangle with the blue in the two main photos and my title. I added some journalling to the top because it looked too empty and because I actually did have something to say, lol. I used stitching to ground the photo - because it's open from the bottom, it also leads the eye to the OOB effect there with my foot. :) I added a date stamp to the bottom right corner for balance.

CC welcome!

[sailingsue]

Sharon this is great!!! I really needed some ideas and examples of multi pic LO's. One of the areas I tend to stay away from. This will really help. Thanks Sue.

[ScrapMel]

This is fantastic Sharon! Thanks so much!

[willjenni]

This is fantastic information on a subject that can be so challenging! I'm going to study it!! Thanks Sharon!
Jenni :-)

[willjenni]

Here is my layout using this lesson that I did today. Double duty for this as well as a Club Digital layout. Thanks again!
http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=177884&cat=672

[Whisper Pink]

Great Information and thanks so much for the printable page too!!! You ROCK Sharon!!!

[Dragonfly4me]

Wow, thanks for this information! I'm working on a few layouts right now that need to have multi- photos on them. This will be a great help.

[spotty]

Sharon, this article is stupendous. I want to show it to my non-srapbooking friends to show them that "Wasteful single picture to a page" scrapping is not the only way to go. Once they are hooked on multi-pic layouts the should then begin to also see that a LO can be beautiful for its own sake.
Love your 'examples'. They all illustrate so well the point in question.
Thank you for sharing - Jo

[jennilynn10]

Sharon, These are fantastic layouts and tips! Thanks so much for sharing them with us :)

[shazzt]

Glad you found them helpful :)

[tape]

Made another multi-photo LO, with several photos of equal importance... Not sure about this one - CC welcome!

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/data/4046/thumbs/venice_tape.jpg
Venice (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=184191&cat=4046)

[shazzt]

Oh Venice - you lucky thing Tanja!

[adarnold1]

I found this very inspiring, I also have trouble with multi photo layouts and loved seeing how you put your layouts together. I am a newbie so this definitely gave me a lot of ideas. Thanks!

[ChristineG]

Thanks Sharon!

[shazzt]

I find multi photo layouts such a challenge myself - but I am finding that more and more I am wanting to put more than one photo on a page (hmm - maybe I take too many!!). Glad you found it useful.

[cafe scrap]

Thanks so much Sharon for sharing this- your info is great & your LO's very inspiring.

[littlekiwi]

Great ideas Sharon - just what I need!!

[MaureenH]

Clear, concise and full of great information. Thanks so much for the tutorial Sharon.

[bpalmer]

thanks so much!

[carti]

Glad I found this, very helpful. Thank you.

[angeluvie]

Thanx for sharing Shanon. They really inspiring.

[Roberta T]

Great website also. Lots of good ideas there. thank you so much

[Kim1989]

I loved this information. I mostly make multi photo pages so it was great to see

[sherryva]

found this reference in the DET thread today- great info and visual backup -
the powers that be should move this to the DSP Tutorials section...

[Robin E.]

I found this very informative. Thank you. I seem to do single photo and multi photo layouts in equal amounts, but this explained a lot to take into further consideration.

However, I would like this point explored a bit further:
Remember you can use embellishments and colour to help leader the viewer's eye around the page.

Can you (or someone) link us to an example of this. I think I need to see how this looks to really know what you are getting at here. Embellishments and purposeful placement of color are two areas I have a lot of difficulty with.

[HeatherH]

found this reference in the DET thread today- great info and visual backup -
the powers that be should move this to the DSP Tutorials section...

I think this is a great idea. I hope Sharon didn't mind that I linked it in the DET Bootcamp thread. I was just great information.

[sanra]

Thank you Sharon. This is a great help.

[shazzt]

I found this very informative. Thank you. I seem to do single photo and multi photo layouts in equal amounts, but this explained a lot to take into further consideration.

However, I would like this point explored a bit further:


Can you (or someone) link us to an example of this. I think I need to see how this looks to really know what you are getting at here. Embellishments and purposeful placement of color are two areas I have a lot of difficulty with.

Repeated elements can help to lead your eye around a page. An example is like the layout below where the repetition of of coloured paper (and the use of the same colour in the title) helps to pull the page together (at least I hope it does!!)
http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/data/500/thumbs/dareadinsp_szt.jpg (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php?photo=254419&ppuser=1660)
Photowalk Wellington (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php?photo=254419&ppuser=1660)

I hope that makes a little bit of sense :)

[Robin E.]

Repeated elements can help to lead your eye around a page. An example is like the layout below where the repetition of of coloured paper (and the use of the same colour in the title) helps to pull the page together (at least I hope it does!!)
http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/data/500/thumbs/dareadinsp_szt.jpg (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php?photo=254419&ppuser=1660)
Photowalk Wellington (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/../gallery/showphoto.php?photo=254419&ppuser=1660)

I hope that makes a little bit of sense :)
Yes, that did help me to see what you mean. The orange paper pulls the eyes from left to right across the photos, and then the orange "wellington" draws them down to the title and journaling. I can also see you chose a main focal point photo and made it stand out to the eye more by the bigger size and stitching around it. Very nice.

However, that leads me to another question. In the scale of the entire layout some of the photos are quite small. What size do you usually print your layouts at and how well do such photo sizes show up? I have found that I prefer to print at 8x8 size, but I worry that if I don't make the photos big enough in the layout that they will be too small for details to show through when printed. I email my layouts off for printing, so to save on shipping costs I only print once or twice a year when I have bunches ready.

[shazzt]

I print my layouts 8x8. Yes some of the photos are small - but they are not the sort of photos that really need to be big. I have done a lot of layouts with really small photos - they look OK (to me) but you do want to think about cropping in close so that your subject fills the frame. If you think that it might look too small, try a test print of a layout to give you an idea of what size you are happy with :)

[Robin E.]

I print my layouts 8x8. Yes some of the photos are small - but they are not the sort of photos that really need to be big. I have done a lot of layouts with really small photos - they look OK (to me) but you do want to think about cropping in close so that your subject fills the frame. If you think that it might look too small, try a test print of a layout to give you an idea of what size you are happy with :)
Thanks again. BTW, I'm not exactly sure of the time difference, but shouldn't you be in bed?

[shazzt]

I had just got up - reading DSP over my morning coffee :)