Should You Frame Your Photographs?
Tuesday, July 29, 2008 @ 23:13
Depending on how you plan to use your photographs, you may want to consider framing as a nice addition to your services.
By doing your own framing, you can control how the photographs will display and also make more revenue for the business.
If your primary portfolio is in photographs that will be used for display purposes, such as an alternative to fine art adorning the wall of someone's studio apartment or estate house, then you want to make sure the frame complements the work, not detracts from it.
You need to consider framing materials that will show off the photograph to its best; this will be affected by the specific type of photograph and can sometimes be a difficult choice. For example, a simple still life may have a contrasting matting color. You want something that will set the photograph off, but not overpower it, so choose your color wisely. Then with the frame, you may wish to consider stark, plain materials, such as polymers. The color will be muted so as to direct all attention to the photograph within the frame.
If you are going to display your photos, such as in a gallery setting, you want to also give some consideration to lighting issues. You don't want a relatively dark photograph sitting in shadows, but would rather have it lit up from above, so that people can admire the individual attributes of the shot from a short distance away or up close.
The difference between a good and a great photographer, be they amateur or professional, is that the truly great ones can bring together all elements to create one great photograph. They also remember that display issues, such as framing and lighting, have to be considered in achieving the desired effect, and in attracting the most dollars for each piece of photo artwork created.
