Scrapbooking With Black and White Photos

Black and white photographs have a certain timelessness to them, whether they were taken fifty years ago or last week. They may be missing the element of color, but they more than make up for it with the nostalgia they evoke. It’s no wonder that despite the advances in photo technology, many photo buffs still opt for black and white.

Black and white photos are great for scrap booking. The whole point of a scrapbook is to preserve memories, and the classic feel of black and white works well with that. Here are some tips for making your black and white photos the center of attention in your scrapbook.

• Group old and new black and white photos together.  Consider using an old photo to get ideas for a new one.  For example, if you have an old wedding photo of your grandparents, take a picture of your newly wedded sister and her husband posing in a similar manner.  Then use them together to create a charming page.
• Use the best colors for evoking the mood you want to convey.  You don’t have to worry about anything clashing with your photos, so feel free to use any color that you think will work well.
• Resist the temptation to make your layout too busy.  While it’s good to have the freedom to use colors and embellishments as you choose, it’s important to keep the focus on the photos themselves.  The idea is to adorn them, not to overpower them.
• For a really classic effect, make your layout black and white as well.  It’s especially important to take care not to overwhelm your photo when you use this approach, but if embellishments are used sparingly, it can produce a nice, sophisticated look.
• Consider hand coloring certain elements of your photos.  This is the technique used by some professional photographers to make a certain element stand out.  If done correctly, it can really make your photos “pop” while keeping the focus on your subjects’ faces.  Try coloring hats or favorite objects that your subjects are holding for contrast.  Photo oils are designed for this purpose.
• You can also create a lovely effect by applying only small amounts of color to your layout.  Do the majority of it in black and white, and add just a few elements in one color, or perhaps two complementary ones.

Scrapbooking with black and white photos is easier in many ways, but it’s also easy to get carried away and make your layouts too busy.  Moderation is just as important as it is when working with color photos. By using color to your advantage, you can keep your photos at the center of attention while accenting them beautifully.

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