Scrapbook Layout Idea: How to Expand a Photograph

In scrapbooking, we are always talking about "cropping" a photograph to fit on a layout, but sometimes we need to expand a photograph - whether to accommodate more space on the layout page or to add an interesting aesthetic feature to the layout. Expanding a photo is quick and easy to do and it is one of my favorite ways to accentuate a scrapbook layout.

All you have to do is take your photo and cut it into even sized pieces! Sounds a bit shaky, but take a look at this scrapbook layout and the close up of the expanded photos.

The Scrapbook Layout
This is a layout is of a a trip to San Francisco, CA . The photo itself was a 4x6 size photo. It is of the coast line with fishing boats. Just the photo alone, was too plain. I wanted to add something to it.

Cut and Seperate (cringing at this point is acceptable, but stick with it!)
After measuring, I cut the photograph into equal sections. Each section is 1 inch wide. I did not matte the photo, just layed it out on the solid background page. Leave even spaces between each photo piece and voila! An expanded photograph! Now the photo fills the required space on the page and adds quite the charm to the theme of the layout and has become quite the eye-catcher!

The Aesthetic Issues
This method of scrapbooking accomplishes 2 aesthetic issues. First, the photo takes up a lot of space, while keeping the theme and streamline of the layout and not making it look cluttered. Secondly, it makes the photo "appear" to be matted, when it is not. Both of these additions make for a very interesting, eye-catching scrapbook layout page! You'll notice no journaling on this layout. The pictures say it all.

Do It Vertically, too!
You can also do this method using vertical photographs! I cut a vertical photo into 1/2 inch strips and placed them evenly spaced on a contrasting color, cardstock matte and then placed that whole ensemble onto the layout. Again, quite an aesthetic, eye catcher! Now as for the color of cardstock you use, that is your decision. I didn't use a color from the photo as I thought that would just blend to much and would complicate the continuity of the photo. I chose the blue as that was main color in the other photos - the blue sky - and stayed with that shade and just used a different hue. The blue I used is soft, suttle and blends very well with the images and colors of the photo. You can still plainly see the full photo but it now has the little bit of expression! So just pick and choose which color cardstock that would look best on your layout.

I would venture to say that expanding photographs would be best if kept to scenery or objects, but if you have extras or can make copies, give it a try on any subject. You never know what you might come up with!