Ever find yourself searching for a great background for a journaling block? Sometimes a plain piece of cardstock will do the job. Sometimes a piece of patterned paper will work wonderfully. But sometimes something more creative feels appropriate. At those times, consider using one of the photographs in your layout. By using a photograph for the journaling block, you can create a layout with special impact.

The key to creating a layout using a photo-inspired journaling block is to adjust the photograph in a computer photo editing program like Photoshop before adding the journaling.

1. Create a new document in Adobe Photoshop. In my example, I created a 12" X 12" canvas with a resolution of 300 pixels per inch and a white background.
   
   
2. Open a photograph. Drag the photograph on to the new document.
   
   
3. Alter the photograph as necessary. For this photograph of a drawbridge, I changed the opacity of the photograph. To change the opacity, target the layer of the photograph and then move the opacity slider.
   
   
   
   
4. Create a text box over the photograph and add journaling. Add bold to the text for better readability if necessary.
   
   
   
   
5. Print and add to the layout.
   
   

The same technique can be used with the entire photograph for the background of the layout. Lower the opacity, and then add the journaling on top of it.

Another way to use a photo as a journaling block is to feature a photograph that is integral to the text. In my photograph about climbing the stairs up to a citadel, I used the drawing tool in Photoshop to show my path and an area of the same photograph to place my journaling.

Instead of looking at a photograph as a photograph, also look at it as an opportunity to showcase your journaling.