Displaying your images

[John]

Do any of you folks frame your images? I was just wondering if many of you were displaying your images around the home, or office.

http://www.picturetrail.com/pa-paw

[Jim Victory]

I have prints both in frames around the house and in portfolios. I also frame them om my website for display.

[John]

Originally Posted by Jim Victory

I have prints both in frames around the house and in portfolios. I also frame them om my website for display.

Thanks for your reply, Jim. Though I don't need a portfolio, I do frame some on my webhost, as well. I was actually making frames for pictures before taking up photography, so I too have some displayed around the house. I brought the subject up after thinking about all of the images being kept on people's harddrives and CD’s. I guess that after using a digital camera for ten years or so, there will be many folks with several thousand images. Even though the images will be fairly safe, it just doesn't sound very permanent, does it?

http://www.picturetrail.com/pa-paw

[Steelsun]

Have a few framed around the house and am working on a collection of framed ones for the office (reception area and hallways).

Also our (wife & I) big gift givings this year were framed images we took of the recipiant in the past 12 months or so. Some people liked them enough they ordered additional copies.

I am still working on a portfolio though.

[Entrelac]

Does my computer monitor count as a frame? ;) Honestly, no, I don't have any of my photos framed anywhere. But that's mostly because I've only been casually taking photographs and never thought about any of them being worthy of a frame. :)

[lucian]

I have several framed and on the walls in my work office as well as my home office. Additionally some are printed for inclusion in my portfolio.

[Aoide]

I'm kind of in the same boat as Entrelac. Up until a few months ago all of my pictures were more casual in nature. I'm hoping to have a few this year that will be worthy of framing. I've also thought of sharing some of my photos next Christmas with friends and family.

[John]

Thanks to all who have replied to the post. This forum will only be successful if we keep it interesting. Here are my thoughts.

I'm just an average amateur photographer, yet I've hung a few on the wall. I think that out of every hundred or so they'll be one or two of mine that could be framed. You must remember that the image isn't completely finished until it's framed in some manner. Just take a frame and put it around an image that you sort of like. You'll be amazed at the difference. Now then match your image with different frames, until you find one that gives your image impact, that you want.

[Entrelac]

Heh, very true. But then my sister and I would have to aruge over limited wall space. Currently all of her paintings and pencil/charcoal drawings take up the majority of the walls in this house.

Hm...maybe if I worked with her on the photos...let her select the subject and composition and I snap the photo...

[Steelsun]

Also as a helpful hint to getting frames and matts in physical stores (not via the net), here are some:

1) Michaels/Hobby Lobby: Great selections of frames and they often have good sales. Also a great source of matts.
2) Wal Mart: Belive it or not, they have some good prices on matts that are of good (archival/acid-free) quality. SOmetimes you have to hunt: they are in the photoalbum section and the crafts/scrapbooking sections.
3) 99cents Only / Dollar Tree: Occassionally you can find frames here for a buck that are great, many prematted. I often grab some with tacky or crappy pictures inside, pop out the pic, and voila: A pre matted frame. I've even found shadow box styled ones with triple matts.

[John]

Good stuff, Steelsun. You can also custom paint a wooded frame to enhance your image. At one time I was painting mine with cheap acrylic paint and then spraying them with a clear gloss. This one is a bit crude, but you get the idea.
http://pic13.picturetrail.com/VOL487...9/81703948.jpg

[wedeking]

Yep, every so often I'll print some shots up and frame and hang them around my apartment.

I actually went out this weekend and purchased a bevel mat cutter. I've wanted to be able to cut my own mats for quite a while. But recently I wanted a put up a group of shots up in one frame that would require a custom mat. It had a 2 vertical 4x6 shots and one horizontal 4x10 panorama. Didn't think I'd find a premade mat in that layout. Anyway, I got the cutter and mat board and it worked like a champ.

Greg

[jeffkohn]

I like to make prints, though I confess I don't have too many of my pictures framed and on the wall, simply because I haven't gotten to the quality level where I want to be for stuff like landscapes, etc. I do have some of those in photo albums though. I have taken some family portraits and candids that have been framed for people who were quite happy with them. Also I have some prints on a bulletin board in my office as well as on the fridge.

I have to say, for me there's a certain satisfaction in actually making prints that just isn't the same when viewing them on-screen. That's also why I enjoy printing myself instead of using a photolab.

[Steelsun]

Originally Posted by wedeking

I actually went out this weekend and purchased a bevel mat cutter. I've wanted to be able to cut my own mats for quite a while. But recently I wanted a put up a group of shots up in one frame that would require a custom mat. It had a 2 vertical 4x6 shots and one horizontal 4x10 panorama. Didn't think I'd find a premade mat in that layout. Anyway, I got the cutter and mat board and it worked like a champ.

What type/model did you get and where?

The wife and I have been considering getting one and have seen them going anywhere from $20-200.
Also, how easy was it to use?

[wedeking]

What type/model did you get and where?

The wife and I have been considering getting one and have seen them going anywhere from $20-200.
Also, how easy was it to use?

I bought the Logan Graphics 4000 handheld cutter:
http://www.logangraphics.com/product...d/deluxe.shtml


It cost me $40 at Hobby Lobby here in Austin.

I found it pretty easy to use. My first attempt worked, so that says something. :)

It has a mark on it that you line up to show you where to start and stop cutting. You just hold it against a straight edge, (a T-square in my case), push in the blade, make the cut, then pull the blade back out. My major concern using it was making sure my straight edge stayed put.

The marker tool that is on the 4000 model is a useful tool for marking your lines on the mat, but not a necessity.

I'm sure the board mounted cutters are alot easier to use, but the prices were too high for the amount I'll be using it.

Greg