Putting Out LOs Quickly...

[Christie Frachioni]

Over the past few years, folks have often asked me how I am able to produce so many LOs in short periods of time. I really have no secret to producing LOs quickly. It usually takes no longer than an hour for me to put one together; and, usually only about 3o minutes.

Here's my thought process:

1. Am I starting with a picture I want to scrap, or a kit I want to use?
   1. If it's a picture, I look for any particular color(s) that I want to stand out or that might accentuate the photo well that is found within the photo, and then search for a kit that uses that color scheme.
   2. If it's a kit, I either look for photos with part of the color scheme of the kit within the photo. If I want a photo that doesn't have any of the kit's colors, I change the coloring of the photo. Usually with a sepia color-wash.
2. Next, I crop the photo(s). To me, this is THE most important step. I try to get in as close to the subject as I can without losing any important focal features.
3. I determine where to orient the photo on the page. If the focal photo is of a person or people, I look to see where the subjects' focus is, and place the photo so that their gaze is towards the opposite side of the page; I don't want their focus to be looking off of the side of the page closest to them. (Well, at least not 98% of the time.)
   
   If the photo is a landscape or still-life, I determine the placement by photo balance. If there's a "heavy" object within the photo, I place the photo on the side of the page that the heavy object is in the photo. For instance, if there's a particularly tall tree on the right side of the photo, I'll place the photo on the right side of the LO. That tall tree will act as an "anchor" of sorts to the page.
4. The placement of elements (including title and journaling) is based on the size of the elements, and how "heavy" they are.
   
   In order to "force" myself to be a little more creative, I try to create LOs that are very different from my previous 5-10 LOs. Specifically, where photos are placed on the page (how the photos are cropped effects this directly), color schemes (monochromatic vs contrasting), composition (minimalist, negative/white space LOs, "cluttered" looks, etc), and the number of photos that I use on the page.

Of course there are the other decisions, too... which elements to use from a kit, when to change the opacity of a photo, etc., but a lot of times it is VERY much experimental. One of the big advantages of digital is the abilty to move things around easily. CTRL-Z is my favorite keystroke!

I hope this helps, and answers any questions that some of you have had. If there are any questions that I missed, please let me know!


Christie

[Frani_54]

Thanks Christie....I will give this a try, usally I have a picture in mind and try to choose a kit that would complement it...that is what usually takes me forever....once I find a kit I want to use it usually doesn't take that much longer.....this really helps....

Christie - I have some of the same steps - it still takes me well over an hour and closer to 2. Of course, I have to sit and look and figure out where I want things to go and do I want to change them around and...

[Donna]

WOW Christie, You're sharing your secrets!

Thanks so much!

Still don't think I can keep up with you

[mommysmemories]

Wow, great tips, Christie! Thank you!

[Whisper Pink]

WOW!!! Those are some great tips just for scrapping, but maybe it will help speed me up...but I am like Maggie, I have to sit and stew over it awhile...but I still like the tips, thanks Christie!!!