Framing your focal photo is an excellent way to make it stand out on your scrapbook layouts. On this page, Joey Manwarren added a frame by re-creating the look of an image taken with a Holga camera--a toy camera developed in the '80s (now with its own cult following), which adds a unique shadow around an image. You, too, can try this for your layouts.

Although the original Holga effect came from taking photos with the Holga camera, today, you don't have to own this pop culture plaything to get the look.  Instead, use Photoshop Elements 8, and follow these simple steps:

1. Open photo, save under new name.

2. Click on Layer > Duplicate Layer.

3. Select Multiply from Layers pop-up menu.

4. In Toolbox, select Eraser tool, and set mode to Brush. Choose large, soft brush.

5. Position brush over photo, and erase center of image.

Tip: To darken frame, duplicate Frame Layer (hold down Ctrl + J). Repeat until desired darkness is achieved.

Video Tutorial

View a video tutorial for step-by-step instructions to create a Holga effect on your photos.

For more easy-to-follow ideas to ramp up your photography skills, see the "Photo Tricks" article in the March/April 2011 issue of Creating Keepsakes magazine.

Related Links:

 Favorite Computer Techniques

 Creating Silhouettes in Pictures

Appeared in:

March/April 2011