Tips for Choosing a Photo

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  Focus on Your Subject

  Select a photo with a strong focal point, such as a portrait or close-up. Before you vectorize your photo, consider using an image-editing program like PhotoShop to crop in close on your subject.

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  Keep Backgrounds Simple

  An uncomplicated image works best, but you can cover up distracting elements when glittering more complex photos. For example, the original image of Martha's French bulldog Sharkey started with a busy background, but we covered it with silvery-brown glitter to create a graphic, silhouetted portrait.

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  Think High-Contrast and Limited Shadows

  Shadows in the photo will translate to gray and black after the image is converted, so look for one that has minimal shading and strong, high-contrast colors. Feel free to change an object's hue, glittering over the color prescribed by the converted image.

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  Subjects to Consider

  Pets always make good subjects, but also consider photographing your favorite fruits, flowers, or decorative objects to create a sparkling still life -- or some glitter magic on a favorite vacation snapshot.