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Whether you are just learning or have been scrapbooking for years, learning to create a focal point for your scrapbook page is essential. When a scrapbook page is designed with a well defined focal point, the story you are telling comes to life. Your focal point is the first place that catches your eye, and sets the tone for the rest of your layout. Here are a few quick tips to help you create a focal point on your scrapbook page.

One of the easiest and most used techniques is enlarging the main photo. For example, you have taken a photo of your child building a sandcastle on the beach, but he/she appears small in the photo because the background encompasses the majority of the photo. By cropping the portion of the photo which holds your child, and then enlarging it, you have now created a photograph that can serve as the main focus for your page. When choosing a photo to use as your focal point, choose the photo that tells the story of the page you are making. Crop or reduce the size of the other photos that you intend on using in your layout. By making the accompanying photos smaller, your main photo will stand out, while the smaller photos will expand on the story your are telling.

Photo matting is a simple technique in which you cut a piece of cardstock slightly larger than the photo and glue the photo to it. Using the same example as above, if you were to mat your photo to a piece of blue cardstock, your eyes will be drawn to the photo, and it will help define the picture as it stands out amongst the rest. You don't have to stop at matting just once. You can mat the same picture two or even three times to bring even more focus to your photo. Don't get stuck in matting the same way all the time. You don't have to follow the shape of the photo. Try matting your square photo to a round, oval, or other geometric shaped piece of cardstock. You'll be surprised at the overall affect.

Often times we get stuck taking photos the same way. Try alternating with horizontal and vertical shots, as this will give you more options when it's time to sit down and design your scrapbook page. Don't forget the close up shots! These make some of the best focal points for a scrapbook page.

Remember, there really isn't a right and wrong way when it comes to your specific page layout. The art of scrapbooking is unique because it is all about you and the story you want to tell. All the literature on scrapbooking is only meant to guide you and hopefully provide you with tips to make creating your scrapbook easier, and to help get your own creative juices flowing. Don't feel bound by doing things one certain way. Feel free to switch it up to suit your own individual personality and style.

Learn more about this author, Lisa Stephens.
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