 |
December 5, 2008 |
  |
Created and Maintained by: The Photoimaging Information Council |
|
|
Columns |
|
There are few gifts more personal and touching than a piece of your own artwork. Here are some ideas to turn your photos into unique gifts. Framing
The easiest approach is to put one of your photos in a frame. Your parents and relatives will treasure this addition to their wall or mantelpiece. You can buy frames from your local photo developer, drug store, home store or art store.
Enlargements
To make a more-valued gift, get your photo enlarged. Larger prints are always more impressive. You can even get poster-size prints quite cheaply. I like to order the next size up (say 14"x 11"), then crop it with a sharp knife (to 10"x8") for a more powerful shot. Ordering several enlargements from the same negative will reduce your unit cost.
Greeting Cards
Many photo developers can now print your photo on a greeting card, complete with a seasonal message of your choice. This is a wonderful way to show your family to your friends and relatives, and it doesn't cost much more than run-of-the-mill cards.
Newsletters
If you're computer-savvy, you can make your own cards, party invitations, or newsletters. The first step is to scan your photo(s) into a digital format (TIFF is a good choice). If you don't have a scanner, a service bureau such as Kinko's can do it for you. Then, using a page layout program such as Word or QuarkXPress, you can combine your photos with text. Output to a color inkjet printer, fold into quarters, and you have a card that will really get noticed! I've been making my own Christmas card/newsletter for over ten years now and it's a great way to keep in touch.
Unusual Products
Photo developers can print your photo onto almost any flat surface. Just imagine what your artwork would look like on a T-shirt, coffee mug, calendar, keychain, computer mouse-pad, apron, or jigsaw puzzle. PhotoTile will even turn your photo into a group of ceramic tiles!
|
|
|||||||||||||||
© 2002 - 2008 Take Great Pictures |
|||||||||||||||||
