Create Beautiful Vintage Wall Art With Your Old Photos
If you’ve got a box or a drawer of old photographs in your home, you’ve also got the makings of some unique pieces of vintage wall art. Why not take the time to dust off a few of those great old photographs, using them to decorate your walls and add a bit of character to your rooms? You could choose to simply display a few of your vintage photographs in picture frames on the walls. Or, go for a really creative and innovative look by using a few simple and inexpensive techniques. Either way, you’re sure to love the great new look these photos will give your home. Here are a few ideas for decorating with vintage photos to help spark your creative processes.
Oversized Vintage Posters and Prints
Although many old photographs are frequently small in size, that doesn’t mean you have to be limited to small pieces of wall art. If you are lucky enough to still have the negatives for the photos, you could have enlargements printed from them. However, even if you only have one small print, you can still use it as the basis for a larger piece of art. By using a scanner, you can transform the photograph into a large digital file. You can then have the file printed on a large photo or poster printer to create an eye-catching vintage poster or print.
Vintage Photo Collage
If you have a collection of old photographs that you are especially fond of, consider transforming them into a photo collage. Although there are picture frames designed specifically for the display of multiple photos, you can also use a scanner, computer graphics software and a printer to create your own custom photo collage. Start by collecting the old photos that you would like to use. Then, play with your overall collage layout by laying the photos over each other in various ways. When you find an arrangement that you particularly like, take a photo of it for future reference. Then, scan the photos, enlarging them if necessary. You can then print the photos individually, overlapping and attaching the printed copies to a backing board. Or, overlap them digitally using your graphics software, so that you only need to print the completed design.
Enhancing Vintage Photos
In some cases, you might find that your old photos have become a little worn and torn over the years. If this is the case, try using computer graphics software to repair them. Once you’ve scanned the photo, use photo retouching tools within the software package to recreate torn areas or to remove bends and creases. You might be amazed how much better your old photographs can look after this kind of treatment. You can also use the color adjustment controls of the software to create interesting visual effects. For example, you could add a beautiful vintage sepia tint to a scan of a plain black and white photo. By using these methods, you can actually improve the appearance of your vintage photos, without altering the originals.