Monday, February 17, 2014

Manual vs Digital Scrapbooking

Preserving memories has become a descriptive and collaborative activity. The manner of preserving them has also evolved—from the traditional (literally) cut-and-paste type to the digital copy-paste, drag-and-drop variety. Today, scrapbooking faces an identity crisis—or maybe just a dual personality—where the traditional clashes with the digital, even though both have the same goal of immortalizing moments. 

Traditional
Manual scrapbooking can be tedious due to its nature as a handcraft. However, the experience is a therapeutic one. The slow process of the old-fashioned way encourages focus and creativity. There's also excitement found in the concrete organization of paper, photos and paste. Scrapbook stores online make material-hunting much easier with their diverse range of decorative instruments. 

One is also free to put a wide array of materials on tangible scrapbooks (i.e. tickets, playbills, money, brochures, and wristbands). Some things just cannot look and feel right when scanned on a computer. 

Digital
Digital scrapbooks win in practicality. One can upload digital photos without needing to have them printed, and choose designs from his/her preferred software. Organizing and manipulating are also easier with this medium. Bad shots, for example, can be remedied easily. Old photos can be restored and kept in good shape. 

One can also save time with the digital version. No more manual cutting and pasting are involved. Dragging, pasting, cropping, and editing are done with several clicks of the mouse. 

Scrapbooking is not dead; the craft still thrives because of people's desire to preserve the memory of good times.

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