Just where to begin????

[uwillplzme]

Okay PLEASE help. I have a new HP photosmart 420 printer and HP 417 camera. I also have HP officejet pro printer. I am a 4 yr veteran of Paintshop Pro. NOW WHAT???
I have saved all the freebies here on my pc. Do I take out a loan for ink cartridges and cds?? I have great ideas in my head but fear where to start.
Paula

[serena812]

One of the great things about digital is that you can make many different versions until you are happy with the results and then print it out. And you haven't wasted a thing because everything is reusable.

I would first make sure that your monitor is calibrated so that when you do get around to printing you will get the right results. There are lots of printing options from printing at home to the web to Costco. You can price things and figure out which is going to work best for what you want to do. I print my layouts at home if I want 8x8 or 6x6 otherwise I've sent them to Costco and been pleased with the results.

Just jump on in!! The water is great but addicting. Don't say you haven't been warned. :)

[uwillplzme]

Merry Christmas Serena and thank you for the advice. So an option would be save the page on disc and take to Costco etc to print?

[Sandersmr]

That is one option - I would do that for larger than 8x10 - I know have a HP8250 photo printer that can print to 8.5x11. I just printed out all of my Christmas presents at home because Wolf Camera couldn't handle files in 8x8 size and I didn't have time to go in and resize everything. I think they came out looking pretty good - but the thing about calibrating the monitor is a valid one because the colors weren't exactly what I was expecting. The printouts were still pleasing, but it may be something I look into in the future.

[Sandersmr]

Now as far as getting started scrapping - check out the tutorials - there are some great ones for PSP (although not as many as for PhotoShop - but I too am a PSP veteran). And check out Emma's intro class - I learned a lot.

One thing I did learn - either backup everything to CDs or to an external drive to free up your computer drive - scrapbook files in the native .psp format can chew up a hard drive capacity quickly - not to mention all the kits and the photos that I have as well.

And digiscrapping can be addictive. Don't say we didn't warn you.

Now just get in there and play. And post your layouts to the galleries for reviews and constructive criticism.

[serena812]

You can save the layouts to disk and take them into Costco or you can upload via the internet and just go in to pick them up. Saves you a trip to the store and they are usually done pretty quickly.

[jenwantstoscrap]

Hi guys,
Was very interested in the advice you have given to uwillplzme. Just wondering how you go about calibrating your monitor? Sorry if this is a stupid question but I'm just starting and don't know much about the ins & outs of computing. Would be grateful for the help.

[serena812]

One quick way to calibrate your monitor is Control Panel>Adobe Gamma. Just follow the wizard. There are other more expensive ways but this is a good free way to go about it.

[Sandersmr]

hmmm, I don't have Adobe Gamma in my Control Panel.

[jenwantstoscrap]

Niether do I. Ithink it might be something you get with Photoshop but I'm using PSP8

[serena812]

Sorry about that. It is something that tags along with Adobe products. I'm not certain how you calibrate if you use PSP. Hopefully, someone else can make some suggestions to help you. :)

[debbiel]

I found Adobe Gamma after going through Control panel; Appearance and Themes; halfway down the page it says "...or Pick a control panel icon"; Adobe Gamma is the first choice.

[Sandersmr]

I went to the Adobe site and Gamma is something that installs when you install PS, but evidently not PSE since I had PSE.

[honey112]

I have just read all of you ideals and thank you all for your input. I would like to know what paper do you print on I just got the hp420 5mp and printer. would like to print my layouts how do I get started?
2. Where do you find 8x8 paper or do you just use 8x11? this is all for now I do have a lot more questions. I am hooked

[Lauren]

honey112- most people use letter sized paper and trim the edges to get an 8x8 layout - there are quite a few threads about different papers - Its usually the best to use the paper that is designed for your printer - so for HP use HP paper for a good result - I have had wonderful results with using Ilfords Printasia range as well