Once you have some black and white prints to work with, selecting colors that complement your photos is your next task. Many scrapbookers find this to be a difficult task. We usually use the colors in our pictures as a guide for paper selection. With black and white photos there is no color guide. So what do you do?

There are a few things to keep in mind when selecting your colors and papers. The first is mood. What is going on in your photos? Is the subject soft and serene? Or perhaps a joyous celebration? Let what is going on in your photographs guide your color selection. Here is a rundown of some of the moods that color can create.

reds: upbeat, high energy, create a feeling of warmth
dark red, wine: still convey warmth, but are more quiet and formal
green: a natural, earthy color, conveys happiness, health, and exploration
blue: true blue is a cool wave of energy (think of the ocean!), blue can also be peaceful like a clear sky
violet, purple: rich, royal, regal, dark shades can be very formal
yellow and orange: very warm, like the sun, draw the eye and are a burst of energy on your page

Another thing to keep in mind is that because there is no color in your pictures you must be careful not to overpower the pictures. Too many bright colors will overwhelm black and white prints and make them “disappear” into your layouts. On the other hand, using neutral papers may not be your best option either. A total lack of color may equal a lack of interest in your page.

Depending on what type of developing you have used (“true” black and white or sepia tone) and the quality of your developing (poor developing may give your photos a slightly blue, green or pink cast), some color may clash with your pictures. If your developer has used “true” black and white process, then the sky’s the limit. If your photos have a tint, my best advice would be to have them redeveloped! If you do not choose to do that here’s what you can do.

Work with it! If your photo has a slightly blue cast, go with a lot of blues in your layout. They will automatically work with your picture.

Complement it. If your photos have some green tint, go with a red or pink paper to complement. If blue is the tint, then select an orange or brown paper. If they look slightly pink, try green papers.

Here are some ideas for color schemes that work well with black and white pictures.

Pastels: The soft colors of a pastel will complement your photos, help to create a mood, but won’t overpower. Select three or four pastel shades to create a soft, sweet page.
* baby pink, baby blue, mint green, soft yellow, peach, lavender, mauve, aqua, tan

Muted tones: A bit darker than a pastel, muted tones create a soft look but are more mature and classy.
* periwinkle, ocean blue, light wine, sage, celery, butterscotch, pumpkin, copper, milk chocolate

Deep tones: Dark and regal, serious and somber, deep tones will create a rich looking layout that complements your pictures.
* wine, forest, navy, coffee, jade, olive, violet, mustard, cranberry

By choosing 3-4 papers in any of the categories listed above you can create a layout that will work well with your pictures.

Some other options are:

Neutrals: While it may not always be the best choice, some photos (like portraits) may work on a layout that uses only neutrals. The key to making it work is using a variety of shades and including several types of paper (cardstock, pattern, vellum, corrugated, mulberry, velvet…) You will create interest and depth on your page using texture and shading rather than color.
* black, charcoal, pewter, stone, cream, white, ecru, silver, platinum

Any of the other color schemes PLUS a bright: While too many bright colors can overpower your photos, accents of a bright color will create interest and focus. Here are some examples of how to pull this together:
* black, silver and fire engine red
* wine, navy and golden yellow
* pumpkin, light wine and turquoise
* baby blue, mint green and bright blue

Monochromatic: Pick a color and stick to it! If you are going with blue, try baby blue, true blue and navy. Or perhaps purples: lavender and violet.