Mat size, border widths vs print size

lew

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Oct 26, 2005, 1:10:24 PM10/26/05

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I'm sure this is a total can of worms, but:
1. Please share you ideas and practices
2. Reference to on line/printed material discussing same.

Thanks.

-Lew

Chris Ellinger

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Oct 26, 2005, 2:05:41 PM10/26/05

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On Wed, 26 Oct 2005 13:10:24 -0400, "lew" <l...@speakeasy.net> wrote:

>I'm sure this is a total can of worms, but:
>1. Please share you ideas and practices

I like lots of whitespace. My latest project places 6x6 inch prints
somewhat above center in 14x18 inch vertical mats.

Chris Ellinger
Ann Arbor, MI
USA

Nicholas O. Lindan

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Oct 26, 2005, 3:32:17 PM10/26/05

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"lew" <l...@speakeasy.net> wrote

> [Mat size, border widths vs print size]

> 1. Please share you ideas and practices

It is a matter of taste & de gustibus non est disputantum.

Personally, it depends on the size of the print and where it goes.
A desktop 5x7 gets by fine with 1/2". A formal 20x24 on the wall looks
about right with 4" and other 20x24's work best borderless and frameless.

IMO _really big borders_ border on the pretentious, but that is just
my gustibus.

Take a trip to the art museum or gallery and see what grabs you.

--
Nicholas O. Lindan, Cleveland, Ohio
Consulting Engineer: Electronics; Informatics; Photonics.
To reply, remove spaces: n o lindan at ix . netcom . com
Fstop timer - http://www.nolindan.com/da/fstop/index.htm

Ken Hart

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Oct 26, 2005, 2:20:04 PM10/26/05

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"lew" <l...@speakeasy.net> wrote in message
news:LtidnUG5Law...@speakeasy.net...

My personnal preference is the frame should be the next standard size up:
11x14 print-->16x20 frame, 16x20 print-->20x24 frame. As for mat borders, I
like same width all around. My former photography teacher (back in the
'70's!) taught that the top and sides widths should be the same, the bottom
larger.

A technique that I like is to mount the photo on a piece of colored stock
approximitely 1/8" larger than the print all around, then mount that on a
larger mount board, and framing all that without glass.

If you are using a thick over-mat, (perhaps cut from a piece of 1/4" thick
foamcore) you can carefully color the cut edge of the mat with a marker or
paint.

For a cheap source of color mats, buy a supply of white mat board and get
some spray paint. If you practice, you can get a nice effect by applying the
spray paint solidly at the outside edge and lighter as you get to where the
print will be (basically, a bad spray paint job!)

I also check the flea markets and tractor-trailer truck sales for cheap
"art" (velvet Elvis, etc) frames. Throw away the "art", reuse the frame. I
got a half-dozen nice 24x30 art frames at a going-out-of-business sale last
week for $2 each (the art was pretty bland!).

You're right, it is a can of worms; mostly it's personnal tastes and how it
fits into the room decor.

--
Ken Hart
kwh...@aec.nu

Ray

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Oct 27, 2005, 8:25:42 AM10/27/05

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"Ken Hart" <kwh...@aec.nu> wrote in
news:c47be$43602c85$3febc508$28...@DIALUPUSA.NET:

Re: "cheap art"... That is a great idea!!!

Thanks

Nicholas O. Lindan

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Oct 27, 2005, 1:23:20 PM10/27/05

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"Ray" <sp...@spam.invalid> wrote

> Re: "cheap art"... That is a great idea!!!

http://www.museumofbadart.org/