Apogee Photo Magazine FIRST CLASS PHOTOGRAPHY, Lesson 23

FIRST CLASS PHOTOGRAPHY: LESSON 23

Happy Holiday Greetings

by Willis T. Bird

In this lesson, we’re going to take a look at making holiday cards using photography. It’s not as difficult as you might think, and your cards will be so personalized that no one else will have any like them. Your friends may even want you to make their cards for them next year. But first, you must shoot photographs that are suitable for the occasion. You may already have some in your files ready to go, or you may be forced to shoot new ones.

What kinds of holiday cards are we talking about? Thanksgiving, Hanukah, and Christmas are some of the holidays people celebrate with greeting cards. What subjects can you think of that would illustrate these holidays or the season? Pumpkins, snowmen, menorahs, Christmas trees, tree ornaments—in fact, decorations of all kinds fit the bill. Even photographs of fully decorated homes make good cards. Front door decorations, seasonal flowers, the family beside the tree, or beautifully decorated packages are more possibilities. The list goes on. Use your imagination.

Once you’ve selected a suitable photograph from your collection, what then? There are several possible options. You can make a card from scratch, or you can use a commercial photo holder with your photo in it. You also have the option of sending your photo off to have a card made from it. I prefer the first two choices. For the third option, consult your local photo store or Wal-Mart type store.

Suppose you want to create your own card. To do this, you need a color printer along with a computer. I use a computer program called the Printshop Presswriter. It’s an old program; there are newer ones on the market. However, It works just fine to help me transfer a photo from my computer to a card. It also allows me to type a message on the card if I wish. You can make note cards or greeting cards, but no matter which you decide to do, you must be able to get your photo from the camera to the computer. Perhaps you have your photos processed at a place where you can request that they be put on a CD. Then you’re ready to go. Otherwise, you must use a scanner of some sort to send the photo into the computer, or you can use a digital camera in the first place. A digital camera comes with a program that allows you to place photos directly into the computer from the camera.

Once your photo is in the computer, you’re ready to look for card paper. I use 40-weight card stock that I purchase in packs from Office Depot or Office Max. You can also find packs of suitable paper in Wal-Mart stores or anywhere computer paper is sold.

Select the photograph you want to use on your card. Scan it into the computer and have a specific place to put the photo itself while you’re working with it. (I usually just place it on my desktop.) Next, select the form you want to use for your card. I usually pick Flyers or Booklets from my PrintShop software. (Other software may use different names for their forms, so you’ll need to experiment to find the format you like best.) I create a folding card that is just right for me. It’s possible to make smaller cards, but I like cards that turn out to be 8.5” x 5.5” in size when they’re folded in the middle.

Take a look at my examples the way they appear on the screen. They show writing on the same side so you can see it, but the greeting would normally be inside and the photo on the outside. That format requires printing on both sides, but once you get started, it’s easy to line up. You may have to spend a little time thinking about how to load your paper into your printer or practicing with scrap paper before you create your final product, or the printer might print in places where you didn’t want printing.

Another method of creating cards is to use a company like Photographer's Edge that produces nice blanks with printing already done for you. All you do is take a print of your photograph and affix it in place in the card, and then send it in the envelope provided. Nothing could be easier. Letting a company prepare your card for you isn’t quite as personal as doing it by yourself, but if all that computer/printer work seems like a bit much to tackle for you, then purchasing help may be for you. (You can find Photographer’s Edge online at: www.photographersedge.com or by calling them at 800-550-9254.)

Who knows, your parents may give you the project of creating the Christmas cards for next season, or a neighbor may pay you to do some for them. Either way, you’ll have something unique that the people you send them to will appreciate and maybe save for years to come. Give being creative with your cards a try, and happy holidays!