Creating your own picture collages from the road or from home is fun and surprisingly simple, if you have the right tools. First,you'll need a computer as well as a digital camera or other easy way to acquire digital images (such as the Kodak PhotoNet online or KODAK Picture CD services)

You'll also need software for manipulating your images. Adobe PhotoShop is Tom's choice, but several less costly packages (such as Adobe PhotoDeluxe, or Microsoft PhotoDraw 2000) are available.

Tom's Process
There is no set process I follow -- it is supposed to be fun, after all, but as I think of what goes into making these this is what I do.

• Take a ton of pictures. Always better to have more to pick from than less. Get 'em digital.
• Pick a bunch of photos you like or that you think will capture the story you are trying to tell.
• I usually open an empty file that will fit on most monitors (800 pixels wide by 600 tall).

Tom decided that this picture would be more visually interesting if he cut the background out and left only his kids and the cab.

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