Making somebody's day special

Since I was about 8 or 9 I have absolutely loved photography.  I got my first camera, a child's 110 version, as a thank you for babysitting my neighbor's daughter.  I took countless rolls on that little plastic piece of fun.  I used the pop-up viewfinder to frame my subjects, usually my dogs and camera-shy sister.  The photos I took are long gone but the memories and love of photography that it instilled in me are still alive and well.  I have graduated to a larger 'version', a more grown-up camera, my Canon Rebel xTi DSLR.  Very few of my friends are as passionate about photography as I am, but there is one, and today is his birthday.

Besides photography he loves cars.  You name the make and model and he can rattle off the specifications about each one.  Noting features, benefits and downsides about them all.  I've even been eating dinner with said person and he can name the car that is approaching down the street just by the sound of the engine.  So for his birthday I decided to make his present.  Originally it was to be his Christmas gift but I couldn't wait. 

I created a 3D framed version of a photo he took in Germany of the Audi R8 he drove while on vacation with his family.  I also included a sound bite of the car's engine from a video he posted on facebook using a message memory button.  And needless to say it was a hit.  Here's how I did it.

First chose a photo with multiple layers.
Let me explain. You'll need a photo that has a background, middle-ground and foreground.  The photo I chose was relatively easy to divide up because it had a plate glass window, a bridge, shadows, and the main subject, the R8.

You'll need a few rolls of adhesive foam tape.  I like 3M's version.  Add to your list of supplies a pair of scissors, sharpness has no bearing here.  A neutral background, as not to interfere with your photo.  Depending on the size of your photo you won't need a background.  Due to clarity issues with my photo I printed them at 4x6 size and my frame was 5x5, thus requiring a background. 

 Make sure you print enough copies of your photo just in case you make a mistake or discover more 'layers' than you originally thought.  Position them on top of each other with the full uncut photo on the bottom layer and building up from there. Use as much tape as is necessary to build the layers up to create as much dimension that you want.  I varied the layers using a double stack of tape on two layers to create a different effect.  The sound button was adhered to the back of the frame with the adhesive that came with the product.

The finished product is pictured below.

 

Supplies used:

Scissors

Ruler

3M Foam Mounting Tape Roll (#110)

6-10 copies of your photo

Black cardstock for background

5x5 Shadowbox Frame from IKEA

This project took one night to assemble while watching Gossip Girl and the Office reruns but the result was priceless.  It made my friend's birthday extra special, even if he spent it at work, and that is all that matters.  Here's hoping you made somebody's day special.