After Antoonio talked about Slynky's frames it got me thinking, when is it good time to use(or not) frames on an image? I'll post an example I was working on recently...I'd appreciate some opinions.

Here is the same image without the frame...Hope everyone is well & happy!

Frames or mats are the way most photography is displayed when is hung. The use is subjective, in the case above I agree with Alpha, though not about his own posting. Using as he does a black mat is fine for some work. The mounting and matting is generally important to display work. I for one would like an artist's opinion on this subject. Note: After a trip to the photo shop and art supply to purchase the physical frames, I find them expensive in quantity. I will invest a little more in my son's shop and make some.

Frames or mats are the way most photography is displayed when is hung. The use is subjective, in the case above I agree with Alpha, though not about his own posting. Using as he does a black mat is fine for some work. The mounting and matting is generally important to display work. I for one would like an artist's opinion on this subject. Note: After a trip to the photo shop and art supply to purchase the physical frames, I find them expensive in quantity. I will invest a little more in my son's shop and make some.

Thanks Alpha and Billglaw, I appreciate the feedback. By the way, Alpha your 'one person's opinion' is a very experienced one from what I can see from your work! Loving woodworking and having just discovered the marvels of using a router, I wish you luck with your frame making Billglaw...Happy mitreing!

When I put frams in my photography, usually it's not for asthetics at all. Most of the time it's to show that the person in question did not crop any of the pictur in order to enhance an image. This is very good when handing stuff like portfolios into schools where the emphasis isn't as much on the printing but rather the shooting itself. It can show a school that you can capture an image as is without having to take away from the picture to take the focal point somewhere else where it might've been in another place in the actual shot. I don't have frames in all my work. The bleeding frames that sometimes come through when i post is because I've sanded down the negative carrier. I like the effect, but it's not for everything. Frames shouldn't be used for aesthetics ever because they can easily take away from the actual print itself, but sometimes it's good to have'em anyways. Sometimes it isn't. frames help to "hold in" images of where there are bright white skies, or anything where its very light on the edges. Without them, an image can easily seem to blend in with th rest of the picture which can mess with the eyes sometimes. It's all subjective, and the use of them falls on the printer. Either way, it's good to try a picture with and without them to see what the effective result is with both so you can make your choice aferwards. ry

Gee after reading everyone elses comment. I'm afraid to comment. Actually I thopught the first picture with the frame was fine. I'm not sure if it is actually better. But it is different than the bottom picture. To be honest I thought the frane in the top picture was part of the picture itself when I first looked at it. In fact it serves to focus the viewer upon the object. Particurly upon the right side of the picture. I do agree though that the frame softens the impact of the picture. Bsteph

The frame in the top picture was originally part of another piece of rusty machinery that I thought would lend itself to that use (as a frame)I defocussed it a bit to reduce the distraction factor and make it seem to be part of the original image...I guess that worked in your case Bsteph!Thanks everyone...I think (after much debate and consideration) that the sans frame picture actually has a greater impact for me.

Frames, at least big ones, draws attention and bonds gaze. In some pics, frames work, and with others, does not. Usually I use frames as part of the pic, as framing purposes, but, kind of slip the frames in secretly. In actual framing, I have found 1 pixel line quite good. I'll post few examples and you'll see what I mean... .n

..there are strong frames in this one.

...soft framing done in postwork. Dark&blue areas (wich works as frames) softened with airbrush and white 1 pixel white line.

..could there be more strong framing than those white bars and brick walls.

...ugly, messy frames as part of the pic.

shadows offers good fraiming possibilities.

Oh, this got out of my hands. ;oD

Thanks Antoonio, I really liked your examples and it's given me a lot of good ideas. (now lets see if I can use these ideas creatively and originally!!)