Things You'll Need:
- Black and white photographs or digital images
- Photo paints or markers
- Small paint brush
- Photo software, such as Photoshop
- Scanner
- Background images
- Fine art images
- Desktop publishing software, such as Print Explosion or Microsoft Publisher
- Blank greeting cards
- Digitalized images
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Step 1
Hand paint black and white photos. Either hand paint your black and white photographs using photograph watercolor paints and a small brush, or do it digitally by opening up your image in a digital photo program, such as Photoshop, and color highlights into the photo by using the Paintbrush application. Selective colorizing can really make a plain black and white image eye-popping.
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Step 2
Make a collage by hand. Lay many photos of friends and family out on a scanner and scan together to make a digital collage, or cut and place images by hand onto a plain or unique background. For example, you can use a Moonscape background and then cut out photos of your friends and put them on the moon.
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Step 3
Make a computer generated collage. You can "virtually" cut and paste images into a collage using your photo software. Open all your images, use the lasso or selection tool to outline your friends and then copy that image onto a background. Continue adding layers to build your collage.
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Step 4
Take off their heads. A fun way to make a unique photo card is to apply the faces or heads of your friends and family, and apply them to a famous work of art or famous person's body. For example, take your head and apply it to the classic American Gothic painting or Mona Lisa for a unique greeting card.
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Step 5
Go surrealistic or "artsy." Not all photo cards have to be funny; they can highlight your creative talents as well. Scan a handmade collage, or apply a cool filter to a one of a kind photo taken by you. For example, take a photo of a flower and apply a filter from your Photoshop or digital art software to make it look like a watercolor painting or to give it added dimension and detail. Using this as a card means not only keeping in touch, but sharing your artwork with your loved ones.
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Step 1
Open your desktop publishing software and select a blank card template that matches your blank card stock. Consider the orientation of your photo when selecting the template and be sure to match a landscape oriented image with a landscape directed blank card.
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Step 2
Go to the "Insert" or "Graphics" command at the top of your layout page and browse for your images. Keep your images on your desktop while you work or create a special file titled "Photo Card Images."
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Step 3
Size your image to fit the card front. Grab the resize "handles" at the edge of the photo and pull down and out to resize the image. Be sure not to over-stretch an image and affect the normal look of the picture.
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Step 4
Add text, if desired, to both the card front and inside (page three) of the card. Create your text by referring to something in the photo you are using and then adding an event-related greeting, such as "Happy Birthday."
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Step 5
Print the card on your color printer with a high resolution setting for best results. If you have additional text and images on the other pages of your card, be sure to run a test sheet of paper through your printer to insure that you reinsert the card stock in the right way.
Comments
grimsleygl said
on 7/6/2009 Great article. Makes me want to begin painting my b&w photos! 5*s