Aspect Ratio and Frames for prints

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

02/18/2008 07:57:52 AM · #1

Ok, maybe it's just me, but beyond 4x6, I never seem to see frames in ratios other than 4:3 or the odd 1:1 in most places I see frames for sale. It's pretty much just 4x6, 5x7, 8x10. I suppose 6x9 would be nice, but I don't see those very often, and my general goal is to make my prints printable at 8x12 or larger.

I recently did some portraits of my grandparents and of course they are 3:2. I can crop them of course, but this may not be the best answer for the pics themselves (there are quite a number of them) and I will probably send the prints without frames to my parents who are a bit more mobile and could get them framed much more easily. My goal is always to make something printable in 5x7 or larger.

This all got me thinking a bit. Maybe it might be worth trawling for some general thoughts...

What's your opinion of displaying larger prints in 3:2?

Does it look weird? Portrait orientation or landscape?

Do you own/use such frames?

What sizes?

Where do you find your larger 3:2 frames?

Do you make your own mattes/frames for custom ratios? (the only tricky thing I can see would be getting the glass cut - which may be more of an inconvenience once you learn how)

thanks for the input.

Edited: gotta remember, people can't read my mind...

Message edited by author 2008-02-18 08:04:13.

glad2badad

Apple iPhone 16 Pro

Lensbaby Sweet 35 Optic

02/18/2008 08:18:02 AM · #2

I agree with you. It's difficult to find frames, mats, etc... for 1.50:1 ratio. My camera shoots at this ratio and freqently I find it challenging to crop from 8x12 to 8x10 without altering the feel/composition of the photo.

8x12 and 10x15 would be nice to find on a regular basis (12x18 once in awhile too).

Good post. I look forward to seeing solutions others' may have found.

TonyT

Fujifilm X-T5

02/18/2008 08:25:29 AM · #3

MPIX offers some neat products.

MPIX Standouts

I just checked their products and they have some different frame sizes as well.

I just ran into this. My wife wanted to frame a 12 x 18 print of my recent 'abandoned buildings' entry (a b&w version) and paid a fortune for a custom frame.

I would be interested also in hearing some other solutions.

ralph

Nikon Z9

02/18/2008 08:29:07 AM · #4

make your own & they can be any aspect ratio you desire !!
fit the frame to the picture not vice versa...

i was just passing through a office building wher they ahd a bunch of panoramas (small 4x12 or so in 14x17 frame ..looked very strange ...

my panoramas are in ~22x42 (end up being limited by 40" wide matte & glass)

ErikV

Nikon D7000

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR DG IF-ED

02/18/2008 08:38:52 AM · #5

I see you are in Taiwan so the answer may not help you fully. In the US there are a number of arts/crafts and framing stores that do carry 3:2 frames (eg. Michaels) but as a general rule there are far fewer styles to choose from and in some instances they are more expensive than the traditional sizes. Regarding matting, finding those in 3:2 is very difficult -- so get yourself a matting cutter, which will also prove useful when you have photos with even less traditional dimensions, or if you want a different thickness border around your photo than is usually provided by precut matting.

Custom framing offered by arts/crafts and framing stores is always an option, but that is generally beastly expensive -- but does give you lots of options for both frame style and matting color.

Regarding how they look, 3:2 horizontal in larger sizes looks good -- have not done any vertical yet.

Finally, Mpix has lots of frame sizes but I believe they do not have glass.

02/18/2008 01:26:25 PM · #6

Standouts look interesting, but they are not specifically 'framed'. As such, they are open to a great deal more exposure to air. I've been testing my prints and so far, it looks like they are fine with several months without fading, but I do want them to last years and they always say to keep the air off of them.

Standouts aren't really what I think of when I think of framing for hanging on the wall long-term.

Mpix does appear to have frames in many sizes at the bottom of this page.

I could make them fairly easily though I suppose. Finding the foam core in those thicknesses might be a bit tricky.

Matting isn't tooooo hard to cut, especially if you have a t-square. Glass worries me though. And glass is not generally very cheap for the end consumer such as myself.

Ralph, I'd guess that if an office building had a bunch of panoramas displayed, they'd probably have the budget to get that custom done. I agree that pano's always look sweet.

I love the responses. Keep em coming!

Message edited by author 2008-02-18 13:30:15.

ralph

Nikon Z9

02/18/2008 01:38:50 PM · #7

Originally posted by eschelar:

Matting isn't tooooo hard to cut, especially if you have a t-square. Glass worries me though. And glass is not generally very cheap for the end consumer such as myself.

glass is not as expensive as you might think
i pay 150CND for 6 'lites' of 32"x40"
(that makes 12 16x40 pano's at 25$ of glass each )
& that is TruVue UV glass (brown)
not flint or window glass (the green stuff)
conservatory/optical glass is much more $$$

to cut the glass is easy with a Logan matte cutter & glass cutting accessory
(i have model 720) .. don't use a hand held mate cutter .. (gave mine away )
you !need! the track to
A) hold down / steady the matte\glass
B) get a straight line
C) a controlled stop

02/18/2008 01:53:58 PM · #8

great info ralph!

got any links as to supply?

Also looking for other 'ready made' suggestions.

ralph

Nikon Z9

02/18/2008 02:54:52 PM · #9

Originally posted by eschelar:

great info ralph!

got any links as to supply?

Also looking for other 'ready made' suggestions.

hmmm... besides //www.logangraphic.com/products/boardmounted/
(mine is closest to the 750 but i also have a 300'ish model )
as far as glass i get mine from a local framer who sells on the side (box at a time so it does take commitment )
all my wood now come as raw wood & i do all the shaping /sanding /staining / painting myself
though it is possible to buy premade moldings
(roughly 1-3$ /foot depending on the shape/size/color/ & whats it actually made of .. )
i find that the uniqueness of the piece is extended by the handmade frame (and it keeps the cost down)
in general for a do it yourself two matte 22x44 pano framing costs are
~8(wood/paint)+25(glass)+8(matte)+4(acid free backing)
and 2$ for tape/picture nails/hangers wire/double sided tape/dust cover
47$ my guess at taking out for framing is 150++

takes 2 hours not including routering(shaping the wood stock)/ glue drying / paint drying

i try to do two at a time
i guess i should take some pictures the next time i do one & write a tutorial ;)

strangeghost

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

02/18/2008 02:57:29 PM · #10

I do all my printing in 3:2. My personal fav print size is 10x15, and I occasionally go to 16x24. Sweet sizes.

02/18/2008 08:23:10 PM · #11

Originally posted by strangeghost:

I do all my printing in 3:2. My personal fav print size is 10x15, and I occasionally go to 16x24. Sweet sizes.

Agreed. How do you present them? Frames? With glass? Without?

Ralph - fantastic info. A tutorial would be pretty cool. I'm fairly handy, although I will say that I don't have the room to have a router or chop saw kicking around my little dorm apartment, I do have ways of getting some stuff done like quick cuts... There are also some very, very nice frame makers here that do a great job on the wooden parts that I could never approach with my own skillset (ornate oriental carvings in the frame) that could be used if suited to the pic...

I'd say it's a fairly local option though and does not translate at all well to remote needs (say for example - making up a batch of 10 or so wall prints for someone in another country). MPix is another option, but I would prefer to see the quality of the print rather than just having them print it with zero control/knowledge on the print quality.

strangeghost

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

02/18/2008 08:54:57 PM · #12

Originally posted by eschelar:

Originally posted by strangeghost:
I do all my printing in 3:2. My personal fav print size is 10x15, and I occasionally go to 16x24. Sweet sizes.

Agreed. How do you present them? Frames? With glass? Without?

Frames, large, colorful mats, and very low reflectivity glass (more expensive, but worth it).

02/18/2008 09:01:38 PM · #13

Do you have any pictures? Any links to places to buy such?

Do you make it yourself or buy?

The low reflectivity glass sounds cool. Is that a coating? Can you buy a product to coat glass this way?

I remember when I had glasses that it was a coating...

strangeghost