Just curious - what is your preferred method of displaying your work. I guess i come from an "old school" of gallery presentation - white mattes with basic brushed chrome frames (although my mattes are a bit larger than normal - 14 x 18 for an 9 x 12 print - I like to separate the image from the surrounding environment as much as possible. the pure white also (and this is strictly personal opinion) does not lean the viewer to see the photograph one way or another - it is what it is). Now, if it's a case of displaying a piece of work in my own house, that's a completely different story - i tend to use oversized white mattes in a brushed chrome frame...now that's different, isn't it? (I think I'm in need of some ideas...?)

As a follow up - what IS the correct way to spell "matte"...or "matt"...or "mat".....or "hypersensitivecallousifiedbreakable-ish-high-speedwomannamed"alice-docious"?)

8x10 prints.....11X14 or sometimes 16x20 matte/border/cardboard/white thing....ALWAYS white. 11x14 prints.....16x20 matte 16x20 prints....don't remember, since it's been so long since I've enjoyed the use of a dark room. Always white mattes and bottom weighted (slightly more space at the bottom than the top) I prefer plain black frames...wooden or metal.....UV coated glass....acid free mattes. I prefer white because it tends to add just a bit more contrast to prints..+....I think the print should be able to stand on its own and not rely on some fancy colored mattes and frames to try and help it be somehow interesting......If I want to look at frames, I'll go to a frame shop.

I tend to lean towards the matte color matching the mood/tone of the photo. Yes, I'm one of those rule breaking Gen X'ers stomping all over tradition. :) -=>Donald

The Internet. Simply because I have yet to have my work seen anywhere else. Although I would have to save if you pressed, I would use a Black or White matt. For a dark scene of night scene I would use white and for a snow scene i would use black. Contrasting but neutral colors. Magick Michael PS Mat-Matt-Matte (from Websters Dictionary) mat: a border going around a picture between picture and frame or serving as the frame Matt: name, abbreviation for Matthew matte: a motion-picture effect in which part of a scene is blocked out and later replaced by footage containing other material (as a background painting)

Attached Link: mikepanic.com v3.0

ive grown really fond of the glass display's, the have no "frames", just a heavy cardboard backing and a piece of glass w/ the matte and photo sandwitched between, held in place by clips around the photo... lately ive also been really fond of dual tone mattes, black w/ a stark white undermat, so when it's cut for the opening, there is a small white trim around the photos

Chrome frames? I say, old chap, it simply HAS to be Black!!! Thick, black frames, a bold statement on any wall.... (sounds better if spoken with thick Etonian accent. If you're American, never mind, just imagine an English Butler the way you always portray them in films.....badly.......lol) Eh, Zhounder, your dictionary not got Mat as being a woven item to be walked on ie, small carpet, domineered male etc etc......? (",)

Mostly the Internet... But for prints, for my classy, rich, lakeshore-condo friends, those wide, thick-beveled, white museum board mats seem to work well. For color or B&W. I usually (in photoshop) run a black line around the actual photo. Then sign with Sharpie permanent marker on the print paper. Whole thing fits with a slight border inside the hole in the mat. Back-board should also be archieval. Print held only at upper two corners by archieval cloth library tape. Behind glass or plastic; don't like the non-glare textured stuff. Mat is wide enough that they can pick frame without too much distraction to match their furniture... Jordy is right aboyt black being classy, but brushed bronse or pewter also looks nice. Have tried colored mats, but have a worse time with that than with picking socks. For "general use passing around" Epson ink-jet prints, I've tried sandwitching between two pieces of plexiglass, edges taped with attractive duct-tape. Keeps fingerprints off the paper, and should help keeping out contaminants. But jury still out on long term permanence.

Misha - Nice point about the mounting of the piece. I've never been a big fan of "dry-mounting" (however THAt can be accomplished" of a Cibachrome - just two tags of archival adhesive in the top corners is plenty (and spares the inevitable scorching of something like a Ciba - mmmmm, but I DO love the smell of melting plastic!!!

Jordy: Yup - I'm a starving "artist" (never really considered myself as an 'artist', but it seems like every venture I get into is 'art' based...?) - the thing being, when i've got 40 of so prints to mat (and thank you for the definition, zhounder!) and frame, chrome came in at a very low expense compared to black frames. (Now, I'm going to date myself - my last exibition was eight years ago - who knows what the trend is now...?). You may be right - as i really like black frames - BUT - they are a lot harder to keep fingerprints and general smudge off of - the chrome was really easy to work with...and now, I'll have a couple more Michs and probably post some other - ermmm - weird post....just to get people thinking. (that's what it's all about anyway, isn't it?) (In hindsight - I think my displays would have really looked good in black)

Damn you all to a lifetime of excessive perspiration!!! Is there anyone apart from me who hasn't displayed their work on walls in public?!? Jeez, I'm getting left behind. Oh, and Wolfie, when I do display mine there'll be an armed response unit ready to kick the ass of anyone who even breathes near my masterpieces, let alone leave fingermarks........lol The 'cheap' option of frames that I liked (after an hour's discussion in a friendly frame shop) came out at 45 each..... dunno about you guys, but I can't afford near that for a gallery display.... shame - it made the pics look ******* brilliant..... (",)

frame shops are very expensive. Go with the extruded al-u-min-e-um (for you Brits), in any color, and buy mail order. [And remember to charge A LOT for a framed print...] Not to offend frame shop owners; if you need something custom, an odd size mat, a frame that matches some furniture; then the frame shops are wonderful, and do a brilliant job. Worth every penny. Usually they can help pick out something that looks nice, and they do a professional job using top quality materials.

What a friggin' late reply. Lost my internet connection. Arrgh. I do most of my presentations electronically, either on CD or via the web, as I do not want to be bothered lugging around all my work and running the risk of loss or damage. (Or I may be just too lazy heh heh.) This method works most for me because I do a number of other things as well and my site covers at least 60% of my shyte. That way I give my clients an idea of what else I can do other than what they are hiring me for. As for framing, I've only had non-photography stuff framed, and I dunno how much it costs because mostly other people do the spending for that hehehe... A plain black frame without matting works for me best, I guess. (*