In this tutorial you will learn about layers, how to move and rotate objects, adding shadows, using filters, creating text and saving.

Step 1 In Photoshop Elements version 3.0 or higher choose Start from Scratch from the Opening Screen. In version 2.0 simply start the program.

Step 2 Once the program has opened, open the Quick Page and the photo you would like to use in your layout. Select File>Open and then navigate to where you have saved your Quick Page. Left click on the Quick Page then click on Open. (This tutorial uses the Horizontal with Slide Quick Page from the Plum Cozy Scrapbooking Kit.) Next, choose File>Open and navigate to where your photo is stored on your computer. Left click on the photo, then select Open once again.

Step 3 Place the photo into the Quick Page.

Select the Move Tool (it is found at the top of the Tool box on the left of your screen). With the Move Tool selected left click on your photo and hold while you drag the photo onto your Quick Page. You have just created a new layer. Photoshop Elements, along with many other graphics programs such as Jasc Paint Shop Pro, Ulead PhotoImpact and others have what is called layers. Layers are like the parts of a sandwich and in this example the Quick Page is the bun with a hole in it so you can see the rest of the sandwich and the photo is the first layer below the bun that you would like to see through the hole. So in order to orient the layers properly we will take a closer look at the placement of the layers.

 

To see your "sandwich" go to the menu bar and click on Window. In the pull down menu make sure Layers is checked. If it isn't simply left click on it. This will open the Layers pane and you will see your sandwich.

In order to orient your photo properly you will want it to be below the Quick Page layer. If it is not, left click on the photo layer and hold while you drag it below the Quick Page.

Step 4 Move and Adjust Photo. To move things such as your photo in the layout you will need to have the Move Tool selected (from Step 3). Left click on your photo and move it into the frame of the Quick Page to your liking. You may need to drag the corners of the photo to resize or to rotate it. Remember that as you resize it bigger, you are decreasing it's resolution and this could result in a blurry or pixelated image. Resizing it slightly larger is usually acceptable. This is also a good time to alter the photo if you would like. Photoshop Elements comes with a wide selection of filters that can enhance your photo. For example, if it is too dark, you may want to lighten it by using the Enhance>Adjust Lighting>Brightness/Contrast filter. There are many filters in Photoshop Elements that can help to improve your photo and some that can help to make creative adjustments to your photo such as turning it into a Chalked Sketch. 

If there is more than one opening in your Quick Page, like in this example, add more photos by repeating the earlier steps.

Step 5 Add a Title and a Journal entry. To make your page personal and meaningful add a title and journal your thoughts and feelings about the photo(s) or anything that you want to remember about it. Adding the date is also a great way to keep track of events for when we look back on our layouts in the future. To add a title, choose the Text Tool from the Tool box on the left side of your screen. Then place the cursor where you would like your text to appear. On the top of the screen there are options relating to the font, its size, color and other choices to consider. Choose your font and start typing. If you would like to move or rotate your text use the Move Tool. To create a paragraph of text, you can first draw a box with the Text Tool before typing and your typing will stay inside the box you created.

Step 6 Add Embellishments from Kit (optional). If you would like to add a few more things that are included with your kit or Quick Page, open them in separate windows like the photo in Step 2 then drag them onto a layer over the Quick Page like before. To add shadows choose Window>Styles and Effects. Once the pull-down is open, select Drop Shadows and click on the desired shadow (be sure the layer of the embellishment to be given the shadow is selected in the Layers Palette). Usually the Low Setting works best.

Step 7 Save your layout.

To save the layers in your layout so that you can edit it later, save it as a .psd.

Save it as a .jpg if you are certain you are not going to need to edit it in the future or if you plan on using it on the internet or for sending you layout to a printer.

If you would like to share your layout with your friends on ScrapWow.com you might want to conserve space and make uploading faster by reducing the size of your layout. Select from the menu bar Image>Resize>Image Size to open the Image Size dialog box. With the Constrain Proportions box checked (bottom), enter about 600 pixels for the Pixel Dimensions.

Step 8 Enjoy and Share! You have so many options to enjoy and share your layout with friends and family. In addition to posting it on your own website at ScrapWow.com you can:

Print it and put it in album - You can print from your home computer on a home printer or you can bring your CD into your local photo developing store, or you can upload the layouts to a print service like Kinkos and have the prints mailed to you.

Make copies onto CD’s to give to family and friends - giving an entire CD of layouts to a friend or family member is a wonderful way to show you layouts

Make slideshow for tv or computer viewing - go ahead and make a slideshow like the old days - only this time its digital!

Make computer screensavers - why not see your layouts every time you are on the computer!

Print onto novelty items - there are many places that can print your layout onto a variety of items such as tote bags, shirts, mouse pads, mugs, etc. These make wonderful gifts and are a great way to save your layouts and see them in your everyday routine.

Make a Calendar - choose 12 of your best layouts and have them all year long!

Whatever you choose to do with your layouts will make them even more meaningful. Just be sure to archive them so that they will be preserved forever! Burn a copy to a CD and keep in a safe place. Since CD's are fairly inexpensive - burn two copies and keep them in separate places for extra safe-keeping!

If you have further questions please email us at help17 (AT) ScrapWow (DOT) com