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Framing and Mounting
Whether you have professionals frame your photos or you to do it yourself, there are many choices to consider. For example, there are different types of matting, frames and glass as well as ways to mount the photo. But, regardless of the choices made, the purposes of framing are basically the same: to enhance the image, to focus attention on key elements of the photograph, and to protect it.
Professional framers will generally give you advice that will help in the decision-making process. For example, did you know that choosing a wider than average mat (the border around your framed photo) or several layers of mats will not only change the way someone views your photography, but it can also invite them to view it in the first place?
To help you in making decisions about framing, the first step is to understand the reasons for framing.
Why Should I Frame a Photograph?
The frame, mount and mat give the photograph a place to “belong”. There are three reasons why we want our photographs to be framed. There are three good reasons; two are practical reasons and one is based on aesthetics.
- Ease of Viewing – Framing acts as a support system for optimum viewing of a photograph. It keeps the image flat and permits it to be easily placed upright on a wall at a suitable viewing height.
- Protection – Protecting a photograph is perhaps the most important consideration for having a photograph framed. Quality photographs need to be protected from environmental factors such as dirt, dust, light, and moisture. And, no matter how careful you are, every time you handle a photograph, you risk transferring acids from your skin to the surface of your photo.
- Artistic Appeal – The third reason you should frame a photograph is the artistic and esthetic appeal proper framing can add to your photograph. Framing should (1) enhance your photograph, even glorify it; (2) set the boundaries so it doesn’t overwhelm the surrounding environment (or the environment doesn’t diminish the photograph); and (3) act as a transition between the wall and the image. Framing can also draw the eye to the photograph by emphasizing the subtle details, and, in some cases, a frame can even create the illusion that the image is bigger than what it is.
Are you interested in doing your own framing? If so, make sure you purchase framing supplies in large sizes to save money. Maintaining a good selection of mat samples will allow you to experiment with a variety of colors, to “pull out” the various elements of the photograph. A good eye for color combinations can make a huge difference in the overall appearance of the photograph.
Framing Options
You can frame your photograph yourself using a ready-made frame, make a frame yourself, or have someone custom frame it for you.
Custom Framing
The most expensive framing alternative is a professional custom framer. Custom framers are usually located in a retail outlet and are often tied to an art gallery. To a lesser extent, you can sometimes find home businesses and hobbyists who specialize in framing. Despite what might be considered an outrageous cost for their services, the professional framer does provide some distinct advantages:
- Experience – The professional framer will undoubtedly have years of experience framing photographs. In addition to their advice, they will know what mistakes to avoid.
- Knowledge – Many custom framers have taken courses in photographic design and color composition. They will have an in-depth knowledge of the principles of color, shape, proportion and design—advice that can be extremely helpful to you as you decide how best to frame your photograph for esthetic appeal.
- Craftsmanship & Quality – Custom framers have specialty tools and techniques that, combined with their knowledge and experience, ensure a superior frame.
- Selection – The custom framer generally has access to framing materials (frames, matting, and glass) that the general public may not easily find or may not be aware of.
Do It Yourself Framing
Unquestionably, framing can be an expensive undertaking. If you have ability to do your own framing, you can save anywhere between 10 to 30 percent, depending on how much of the process you decide to do yourself. You have some choices:
- Do-it-yourself framing stores, usually found in large urban centers, provide the do-it-yourself framer with a large selection of materials. The best stores provide design expertise and can even help with cutting the glass and moldings. Other frame-it-yourself shops provide advice and all the materials and then send you home to assemble the final product.
- Ready-made frames are also available from a variety of stores, including many camera shops. They are generally simple or stock frames in popular colors, textures and sizes. Many ready-made frames come complete with backing materials and glass. At it simplest, all you do is remove the backing, clean the glass, insert the photograph and replace the backing. Your local department store, all-purpose drug store or even a dollar store, may be your least-expensive source for a frame and mat.
Becoming a Hobbyist Framer
If you decide to tackle the framing profession yourself, you will need a few specialty tools, such as a saw, mat cutters, and a glass cutter. Catalog mail order houses can help in some cases by providing a selection of moldings cut to any size you desire. They can send the frames already joined, or in some cases, with a thumbnail slot routed into the end of each stick of molding.
Finally…
Don’t underestimate the value of a good final product. Framing can be expensive, but if the photo greatly enhances the look of a room, it is money well spent. As Zig Zigler would say, “Wouldn’t you rather pay a little more than you planned, than a little less than you should?”
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