Framing options

In Anita's crocus thread there was a discussion of framing options that went beyond the standard aspect ratio formats. I decided to toss this one out as an example.

It's a very old iPhone Hipstamatic shot, which is a square format, then converted to B/W and Simplified.

Attachment 160609

I haven't printed or framed it, but if I were to here's what I would do. I'd print it on a heavy mate "watercolor" paper and leave a lot of white space around it. Then I'd cut a mat that left some of the white space, to give the look of a double mat and leave room for a signature and edition* number. The mat window is indicated by the black line.

Attachment 160610

This was scaled to the aspect ratio of an 11x14 print framed to 16x19, but similar rectangular options would work. The mat is custom, with the bottom having obviously more weight and the top just a bit more (weight = width compared to the sides).

* I do open editions, where I specify the print number but don't limit the number. That was appropriate for "real" prints when printing plates wore out and the lower numbers had more value. Now it's the reverse, as subsequent digital or even darkroom prints might have more value as better technology (and just time) might allow the artist to refine the vision and interpretation. (See: Ansel Adams.)

I agree whole-heartedly. It gives the option of using standard frame sizes without having to compromise the image to fit.

I love seeing the version ready to be framed. It really finishes the image, especially since you would use an asymmetrical mat. All that surrounding white matting balances the high contrast image. I also really like the very rough edges around the image, it mimics the rough edges of the leaves. Very creative!

Thanks for the quickie tutorial, Diane. And I totally agree about letting your image dictate your matting and framing, not the other way around. BTW - I like the image, too - I like Hipstamatic and used to play around with it a lot.:S3:

This is beautiful. Dang. I keep on looking at this.

Thanks so much for mentioning about the way you edition your photos, Diane. I started looking into gallery show recently and to be completely honest I was rather overwhelmed with the entire process.

I like it a lot. Very nice B & W, with a graphic quality. The square crop works really well. I like the border, and the proposed matting works for me. It is not what I would have tried, but I like it.
I wish I had a way of deciding how to mat an image. Maybe doing something along the lines of your second image would work--creating an image that includes a mat.
Many thanks. Beautiful work.

Thanks everyone! I'm thinking now that I do need to frame this one.... It's long been a favorite that got sort of neglected.