In one of our past Mixbook 101 entries, we briefly touched on the 2-page span button. This post will further explore photo spanning, giving you ideas and tips on how to best utilize this feature.
We’re sure you’re all aware of how to use the spanning button – allowing part of the photo to spill onto the next page… but did you know this button is also very helpful in creating beautiful two page spreads? Utilizing your various camera settings will help create these beautiful spreads.
The first setting we’ll look at is the Panoramic setting.
When using this feature, your camera automatically changes to create a panoramic photo, as you will see in your viewfinder. This, of course, is the easiest way to create panoramic photos. Just point, shoot, and you’re good to go! Some cameras have a more advanced setting, where you can actually move your camera to capture more of the landscape. You can find this setting on cameras like Nikon’s COOLPIX digital camera.
Another way to create a panoramic photo is to utilize your camera’s photostitch setting. When on this setting, your camera helps you take photos that can later be “stitched” together. The panorama guide will help match up your photos by displaying the previous photo on your screen to assist you in overlapping the photos. Check out our photostitching tips for more information!
Lastly, we take a look at your resolution setting. Normal photos can be turned into panoramic photos by cropping off a portion of the bottom and top, as shown in the examples below. Using the highest resolution will give you more options when placing the photo onto the page. Your ability to zoom and pan increases, allowing you to showcase any part of your photo – whether it’s a certain area, or the entire thing, you’re sure to get a great print.
How to achieve the two page spread
The photos discussed above can take up the entire page or can more closely follow the style of a panoramic shot. Both layouts are simple to achieve.
To achieve a full-bleed, two-page spread, place the photo onto the page and use the photo background fill button. Next, click the span icon to allow the photo to spill onto the next page. Lastly, drag the center red square across the page until it snaps to the opposite side. Doing so will ensure your photo is bled correctly and will give you the best possible print.
To create a partial spread simply adjust the vertical sizing of your photo. Don’t forget to use our pan feature to display the perfect shot.
For more 2 page spread ideas and inspiration, check out some examples below. We’d love to see your two page spreads as well! Share them with us on our Facebook wall. Happy Mixbooking!
Anita Imperial September 24, 2012 at 5:49 am
Please keep the TIPS coming! I’m making another book and can’t wait try all these new tips.
Anita
281-261-9734
Robyn January 17, 2013 at 12:21 am
Can I remove the shadow on the pages? And does the shadow appear on the backgound only or on my photos as well?
Cheers…
Mixbook Customer Care Team January 17, 2013 at 7:56 am
Hi Robyn,
This gray shadow is an effect that we apply to give the book a more three-dimensional look online. We apologize for any inconvenience, but at this time, we are not able to remove this feature from our editor. Please note that this will not end up in the printed version of your book. Additionally, our editor does have the ability to add a shadow effect to your photos. You can add, remove, or adjust a drop shadow from your images or stickers. First, click on the photo or sticker to bring up the photo options toolbar beneath the element. Next, access the Styles Panel by clicking on the “Styles” icon, a White box with a paint brush. From there, you can access the “Shadows” tab, which should be the first tab on the left. You will see a number of different shadow options, or you can click the word “Customize” if you have a very specific type of shadow in mind.
Hope this helps! Please let us know if you have any additional questions!
Cheers,
Veronica
Joanna Grey January 19, 2013 at 8:20 am
I have managed to place a photo in the middle of 2 pages, but HOW can I get the text to run over the centre over 2 pages? I keep getting a message that half of it will be deleted in printing.
Mixbook Customer Care Team January 20, 2013 at 11:06 am
Hi Joanna!
Thanks for your question! While you are able to place elements over two pages, we typically suggest that users do not place important items, such as text, in the gutter area as content can be lost due the physical nature of the gutter area. We have a Blog entry which you can check out at your convenience: http://blog.mixbook.com/photo-book-layout-tip/
If you do plan on placing images across two pages, we suggest that the image be of a background or landscape. If you place an image such as a group photo, some people in the group may be lost in the gutter area.
We hope this helps! Please let us know if you have any other questions or concerns.
-Kyle