Printing, Mounting and Framing?

[Winnie]

As rare as it now seems in this age of digital, I have decided to print, mount and frame some prints for family and friends. However, all the frames in the shops are based on a 4:3 format instead of the 3:2 format of DSLR's. So what is the solution?

Some of the images work fine being cropped but others require the full perspective that 3:2 offers. I could get a mount cut to size to fit in a bigger frame but then the mount will look awkward, with uneven distances between the frame and the aperture. The closest I have found are the A4 frames that very nearly fit a 12"x8" print.

So what is the answer? Crop everything to 4:3 and lose the perspective, not print and frame anything or have frames custom made/make my own?

Help would be great if you have any experience with this dilema.

Thanks in advance.

Alex

[dc2]

Alex can you and would it suit you to put a small boarder on your pics?
Like so . Then they will fit A4 ok

[Winnie]

Yep that would work but you still have more border at the top and bottom than you do at the sides. Is that considered OK in the pro world? I want my shots, especially as they will be sales, to look the best they can.

Alex

[dc2]

That was not a good example but could still be cropped equal
What software are you useing?

[Paul Shields]

Originally Posted by Winnie

As rare as it now seems in this age of digital, I have decided to print, mount and frame some prints for family and friends. However, all the frames in the shops are based on a 4:3 format instead of the 3:2 format of DSLR's. So what is the solution?

Not quite true. The Olympus DSLRs are in a naturally 4:3 format . It's a common problem with 3:2 (whether film or digital) being the most common format, but frames more likely to be available in a 4:3 format. Of course, you can always make your own matte frames in 3:2. Probably quite a rewarding thing to do.

[Winnie]

I am using PS CS2.

I would prefer to have them in proper frames rather than just matte frames. Unfortunately I am not too handy at stuff like that.

I can't undterstand why they don't make more 3:2 ratio frames. Especially considering the boom in the DSLR market (Oly's being the exception with their 4:3 format).

Alex

[Paul Shields]

Originally Posted by Winnie

I can't undterstand why they don't make more 3:2 ratio frames. Especially considering the boom in the DSLR market (Oly's being the exception with their 4:3 format).

I think that's just been the way for a long long time as 35mm film format was a historical accident derived from the film world.

35mm fits perfectly for something like 4x6, which is easy to print with most current printers and will be destined for a photo album. Larger prints seem to follow a 'fine art' tradition when it comes to aspect ratio. If you're reluctant to making your own, then I'm sure there are some enterprising people out there who have spotted the gap in the market and are making 3:2 frames at larger sizes.

[edit]
Sorry, one thing I forgot to say. I've had frames made for prints I've done from 35mm film. I used a local frame maker who did a great job as it's no big deal for them to make a frame to fit the print (with matte if needed). I forget the cost, but I remember it wasn't that expensive. I guess most larger towns in the UK would have a shop that could do this.

[Blinky]

Originally Posted by Winnie

As rare as it now seems in this age of digital, I have decided to print, mount and frame some prints for family and friends.

I like prints and and print fairly often. I spend too much time looking at a computer already.

Originally Posted by Winnie

However, all the frames in the shops are based on a 4:3 format instead of the 3:2 format of DSLR's. So what is the solution?

I always thought it was strange too.

Originally Posted by Winnie

Some of the images work fine being cropped but others require the full perspective that 3:2 offers. I could get a mount cut to size to fit in a bigger frame but then the mount will look awkward, with uneven distances between the frame and the aperture. The closest I have found are the A4 frames that very nearly fit a 12"x8" print.

So what is the answer? Crop everything to 4:3 and lose the perspective, not print and frame anything or have frames custom made/make my own?

I don't know the solution other than 'make it up as you go along'. I prefer unconventional materials to frames and crop to suit the composition I want. My portfolio is 12"x9" though so my default crop is 3:2.
When I shoot I compose based on the short dimension and plan to crop a little off each end in post. It was tricky to remember at first but now it just happens subconsciously.

Lately I've been mounting on 3/4" gatorboard, you can get it in black, white and Kraft brown (natural). Sometimes I face the gatorboard with a sheet of brushed aluminum (actually just flat aluminum flashing material from the hardware store) or colored paper and then stick the prints to that. For exhibits I sandwich the prints between the gatorboard and a piece of clear, 3/16" Lexan. I almost never use mattes for the very reasons you describe... plus, they just look too conventional for my taste.

Good luck,
Chip

[Dale Sallans]

Winnie
I've had the same concern about crop ratios and frame/matting as have many others. My own solution was to stop shooting my pics so tight as to allow cropping to a different ratio at printing time. I realize that this doesn't help with pictures you've already taken, but a little extra space around your subject will help at cropping time. I don't think that this is a problem that will go away any time soon but hopefully frame manufactures will slowly come around to reality.


Dale

[Rense]

Alex,
You can learn to frame pictures by yourself, that way you can frame a picture in anyway you want,
I never put a nice image on a standard frame.
Rense