Blog | 63 - You've Been Framed
| Freelance Photographer in St Ives Cambridgeshire: Food & Drink Photography; Commercial Photography, Product Photography & Packshot Photography; Event Photography; Portrait Photography; Corporate Photography & PR Photography; Engagement Photography & Wedding Photography and Photography Training Courses in Cambridge, Huntingdon, Peterborough, Bedford, Ely, St Neots, St Ives and London. Professional Photography Services in St Ives, St Neots, Huntingdon, Bedford, Peterborough, Ely & Cambridge. | |||
 
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Alistair Grant Freelance Photographer Cambridge & London |
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bokeh photographic: Blog No: 63 → TIP: Click any image to view in LightBox |
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You've Been Framed As most of you are no doubt aware I’m a great advocate of printed photographs. That is so long as (professionally-taken) images are properly printed i.e. avoid high street kiosks, most mail order laboratories and home instant print machines. Apart from the fact having a photograph printed means something has been done with an image, as opposed it being hidden away on smartphone or PC memory, I equate a print with the experience of being prescribed glasses that suddenly reveal all the detail. I’ve not yet met anyone who hasn’t commented on how they have noticed so much more when comparing viewing a photographic print to viewing a screen. However, photographic paper, like any other type of paper, is sensitive to environmental conditions. Although higher quality archival materials are perhaps slightly less susceptible, all photographic papers are adversely affected by moisture, temperature, light and too much or too little movement. Apart from further enhancing the presentation of a photograph having an image framed is the best solution to protecting a photographic print. Nonetheless certain framing techniques and materials may themselves cause damage. In preparing a new limited edition range I’ve looked into laboratories that offer mounting, matting and framing (explained below) other than those high-end labs I have historically partnered with†. Rather than concentrate on aesthetics (e.g. matching colour) I want to draw attention to framing technique. As with most things terminology can be confusing. Most are aware of the term ‘mounted & framed print’ where mount is taken to mean the material that creates a window around the photograph within the frame. However, in archival or conservation framing a mount is a rigid backing that protects the photograph from bending, wrinkling or slipping out of position. A photographic print is physically attached to the mount. This may involve: i) dry-mounting (at its most basic gluing the print to the mount although a far superior method is to sandwich the print to the mount using heat activated adhesive tissue – both techniques are irreversible); ii) corner-mounting (fixing the print to the mount using triangular pockets which allow the print to be easily removed if necessary); or iii) hinge-mounting (using folded linen tabs tucked behind the print that fix to the mount via neutral ‘glue’ made out of cooked starch paste which also allows the print to be removed if necessary). A photographic mat is what most erroneously refer to as the mount. It provides the window through which the photograph is viewed and is generally secured to the mount with archival tape. In addition to providing a clean field that visually isolates the photograph for optimal viewing a mat prevents photographic paper from adhering to the glass by means of physical separation. Although I have never encountered anyone who has actually done this one theoretical advantage is that mats with varying size/shape cut-outs can be substituted to achieve differing aspect ratios without cropping the actual print. In terms of glass, regular glass is cheaper than non-reflective glass (which reduces glare but softens the image due to surface texture) although both are heavier than Plexiglas plastic which is more easily scratched than glass. Conservation-grade UV glass filters sunlight that can damage prints but is expensive. pH neutral materials are the best option for preventing print damage from mounts, mats and fixings transferring environmental acidity but are more pricey. Alkaline buffered materials prevent acid damage but can result in the deterioration of photographic prints in other ways. What should now be obvious is that there is no one size fits all option and there are important trade-offs between quality and cost. I'm nearly done reviewing what's currently available on the market. I’ll probably end up offering a premium archival option in addition to a standard professional (note not budget quality!) range of mounted, matted & framed photographic prints. Watch this space. †I generally don’t frame my own pictures. I leave it to experts who frame up day in day out. After all, I wouldn’t necessarily expect framers to expertly take photographs. It’s not that I don’t know how to frame. My father was an artist and a large part of my childhood was spent in his studio helping frame pictures. I can still recall the smell of gesso as if it was yesterday! |
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Call Alistair Grant on 07775 365507, Email [email protected] or click Booking Enquiries if you have any questions or would like to make a booking. |
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bokeh: "the aesthetic quality of the blur produced in the out-of-focus parts of an image produced by a lens" Freelance Photographer offering Food & Drink Photography Cambridge; Commercial Photography Cambridge, Product Photography Cambridge & Packshot Photography Cambridge; Event Photography Cambridge; Portrait Photography Cambridge; Corporate Photography Cambridge & PR Photography Cambridge; Engagement Photography Cambridge & Wedding Photography Cambridge and Photography Training Courses in Cambridge. Also covering: Huntingdon, St. Ives, Ramsey, St. Neots, Peterborough, Bedford, Stamford, Newmarket, Sawtry, Alconbury Weston, Brampton, Hartford, Warboys, Houghton, Wyton, Godmanchester, Hilton, Hemingford Grey, Hemingford Abbots, Fenstanton, Whittesley, Yaxley, Needingworth, Somersham, Chatteris, Ely, Bar Hill, Grafham and Buckden. |
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bokeh photographic - Alistair Grant | Freelance Photographer | Cambridge, London, UK - Creative Natural Photography And Outstanding Customer Service At Competitive Prices - Food & Drink Photography | Commercial Photography & Product Photography | Corporate Photography & PR Photography | Portrait Photography (inc. 'Active Portraiture', 'Naturally You' & 'Poptraits') | Event Photography | Engagement & Wedding Photography | Photography Training Courses & Camera Tuition | Videography & Film Production Tel: 07775 365507 | Email: [email protected] |
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