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Post by cats4jan on Nov 11, 2022 12:22:15 GMT
Rest assured, these will be the last ones I post using that template - even if I find more. I think we've all had enough of these.  I was specifically looking for this gorilla one. Seems I did a newer version, too. The old one was made during my "pulled pixels" era. Looking over my stash, seems I have many pulled pixel layouts. Not sure I like them anymore.
The background for the right layout was created using a brush. You can tell the “belt” idea in the right layout came from the original template photo: cats4jan |
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Post by cats4jan on Nov 11, 2022 12:32:44 GMT
These all originated from this Becky Fleck template. This template is probably 15 years old,
back when templates were pretty basic.
Note - this template was supposed to be used with multiple photos... Realize - when using templates - you are not restricted to carefully following the template. Look at your template as an idea source - a kick-start to your layout. Adapt it to fit your theme. Sometimes I end up with a project that you cannot even tell started with the template. 
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Post by hmca on Nov 11, 2022 15:51:38 GMT
So much inspiration in this thread! Love your cornflowers, Jacki. Thanks for the different examples, Janice. It may take me awhile to catch up to recent suggestions.
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Post by cats4jan on Nov 12, 2022 12:22:54 GMT
Second to creating is my love for talking about scrapbooking - and techniques you can try to put more ‘fun’ in your layouts.
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Post by cats4jan on Nov 13, 2022 1:25:38 GMT
I didn't say I wouldn't use another set of photo blocks. This photo was definitely improved by breaking it up into five sections. photo: cats4jan |
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Post by hmca on Nov 18, 2022 23:35:12 GMT
I used the second template you shared in this thread, cats4jan . Scrolls from pngtree. Picture my own. 2 lil owls spring painterly textures. A special thank-you to fotofrank , Sepiana , cats4jan and Lillias for tips that have been shared about creating groups and using clipping masks. It made the whole process of adding my picture, frames, and layer styles so much easier! Definitely open to suggestions, in particular the background color. Would a darker/lighter color have worked better in your view? How do you choose background colors? I saved my layers  .  |
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Post by cats4jan on Nov 19, 2022 1:42:04 GMT
I like the background color. I think it really complements the photo and helps it stand out. However, maybe a little texture in the background would add a little zing.
I might have tried to increase the size of the frame and make it darker.
But don’t get me wrong, I like your original, too.
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Post by Lillias on Nov 19, 2022 9:42:40 GMT
The gardens look so beautiful I’m not surprised that they are known internationally. Brings to mind that old poem...’One is nearer God’s heart in a garden’... You ask ‘How do you choose background colours?’
Personally I look for a colour/colours from within the images used on the page. In this case the background colour chosen brings out the colour of the pathway in the middle right photo and works very well. Since it is a plain background I would probably put a simple vignette on it. That takes away the plainness without overpowering the page. I like the banner on the left and the one for the date but colourwise they tend to merge a bit into the background so I would have put a small drop shadow on both of them to lift them from the page. I would also make the white framing around the photos a little bigger and place a drop shadow on them too. If you are still talking to me....I love the fonts you have used. Great page and at the end of the day it’s what YOU like that counts. |
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Post by cats4jan on Nov 19, 2022 11:08:07 GMT
great ideas, Lillias
Of course, Helen, I do want to state AGAIN that there is no right or wrong way to approach this. Sometimes people's hints help you make a better page, but sometimes you are completely satisfied with what you've already created. Suggestions are, of course, merely suggestions.
The problem with tinkering with completed work is that there is no end to the ways you can change something with digital. When you glue something done with paper scrapping - it's a really big thing to change anything - but with digital - the changes can be endless and you can drive yourself crazy LOL
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Post by Lillias on Nov 19, 2022 12:42:02 GMT
I sometimes feel that ‘open to constructive criticism’ can be a bit of a two edged sword for both parties - the one who is ‘open to cc’ and the one who tries to give what seems to them to be ‘constructive criticism’.
To be open to CC means you have to be ready for comments you may not like or agree with as well as comments of a complimentary nature.
CC should always be done graciously, keeping in mind that someone may have slaved over their presentation and the last thing they need is for their work to be torn to pieces because it doesn’t conform to the ideas of another.
We are all different, different likes in art as in everything else in life.
In the past I have on occasion had CC on my work which at the time irritated me but I took it on the chin and looking back I can see how in the long run I have actually benefited from said CC.
As Janice has said ‘Sometimes people's hints help you make a better page, but sometimes you are completely satisfied with what you've already created. Suggestions are, of course, merely suggestions.’ And should be taken as such.
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Post by hmca on Nov 19, 2022 15:52:40 GMT
Janice and Lillias.....You are both always helpful and thoughtful about suggestions you offer. If I wasn't open to CC on this page I wouldn't have specifically asked. I do have to laugh at myself a bit though as I have added a texture to the background and shadows to the suggested areas. The problem is that obviously they are not noticeable . I purchased a course on Shadows from Creative Live. I will have to give it another look. Next on my agenda is another try with the dispersion challenge. I will rework this page with your helpful suggestions and post back in a day or two. |
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Post by hmca on Nov 20, 2022 20:00:17 GMT
I have enlarged the white frames, increased the shadowing and the texture on the background. I am not sure why but when I create a stamped layer it is not the same as what I am seeing before I create the composite. I am posting two screenshots..... After creating the composite 
Before creating the composite......the background texture is more apparent  |
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Post by cats4jan on Nov 20, 2022 20:38:14 GMT
I like the changes. I don't know why is washes out either. I guess the only answer would be to be more intensive to begin with so that when it washes out, it's still visible.
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Post by Lillias on Nov 20, 2022 21:23:11 GMT
I like the changes too. I see what you mean re the stamped layer looking different to before you stamped..I sometimes get that problem and I find that if I undo the stamped layer and redo it it can look better but it doesn't always work.
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Post by hmca on Nov 21, 2022 1:50:57 GMT
Thank you both. I like the changes as well. I wondered if you would even be able to notice the difference in the background. I think the issue was because I had used the dissolve blend mode on my solid color layer. I may try this same layout with a different image some time.
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