Framing for Prints

When you shoot an object, car, person, sports, anything, do you think about the framing for 5x7 or 8x10? By default canon cameras are 2x3 which is 4x6, 8x12 etc.
I can crop to an 8x10 or 5x7 if I have enough room, but sometimes I don't have enough room because I filled the frame in my viewfinder. So how do I know how much space to leave in my viewfinder for cropping in the future? I hope this all makes sense.
Thanks in advance.

Yes we commonly print on A3 paper with a centered 11x14 image. So that means cropping the long side or using resize software. Do the cropping/resize before you spend much time on other adjustments. You may find that you need to rethink the cropping or even the use of the image.

If you think you're going to be printing and framing at 8x10, you can shoot at the 4:3(albeit at minimally-less resolution) format, and have less to crop.

I print 8x12, it's a **** to find frames though.

I find it good to frame up a little "loose" for want of a better word. With many 15plus mp cameras now if you ate nit 100% sure ratio of print leave a little to spare

I never consider framing while shooting. If the shot is worth it, I print 16 x 12 inch and have a supply of mats to fit 19.5" x 15.5" frames. Cropping to suit from the standard Canon product is never a problem as I would never dream of composing an image that used the full width, it just seems an odd ratio.

The only exception is when I assemble panoramic shots, and these are such odd sizes that I construct special frames, matting them as a one off.

Lowner wrote in post #16700860
I never consider framing while shooting. If the shot is worth it, I print 16 x 12 inch and have a supply of mats to fit 19.5" x 15.5" frames. Cropping to suit from the standard Canon product is never a problem as I would never dream of composing an image that used the full width, it just seems an odd ratio.

Good thought, I never thought of that, thanks.

Lowner wrote in post #16700860
I never consider framing while shooting. If the shot is worth it, I print 16 x 12 inch and have a supply of mats to fit 19.5" x 15.5" frames. Cropping to suit from the standard Canon product is never a problem as I would never dream of composing an image that used the full width, it just seems an odd ratio.

The only exception is when I assemble panoramic shots, and these are such odd sizes that I construct special frames, matting them as a one off.

^^^^+1.

Yes, matting to suit is the key.

I try very hard to always frame my shots knowing that they will be cropped in some way for printing. I've even wrote a couple of short articles about this topic. See message 15 here.

http://www.rccanada.ca …hread.php?t=147​971&page=2

It's too bad frame companies are still stuck on 5x7 and 8x10 and 11x14 as the standards. Almost nothing outputs in those aspect ratios and really hasn't for 50 years. Those were large format standards we've been stuck on for almost a century.

To answer the question: Since I mainly shoot for myself and close friends/family, I shoot for composition, not potential frame size. If I find it doesn't crop to 5x7 or 8x10 then I find a mat that lets it fit in a larger standard size.. I've also had a few custom frames made and it's not as expensive as you'd think.

tkbslc wrote in post #16701685
It's too bad frame companies are still stuck on 5x7 and 8x10 and 11x14 as the standards. Almost nothing outputs in those aspect ratios and really hasn't for 50 years. Those were large format standards we've been stuck on for almost a century.

To answer the question: Since I mainly shoot for myself and close friends/family, I shoot for composition, not potential frame size. If I find it doesn't crop to 5x7 or 8x10 then I find a mat that lets it fit in a larger standard size.. I've also had a few custom frames made and it's not as expensive as you'd think.

The key is standard frame and custom mattes. Getting custom frames made is very expensive if you use quality frame material.

I toyed with making my own frames for a bit and I gave up on it. I'm sure if I had some real training, It is possible to make it worthwhile

I learned this lesson sort of the hard way with my first team portrait session. I always try to frame my shots tightly, but I was offering 8x10 prints for the team portraits... ended up having to leave borders on a couple of the shots. The parents were still very happy with them thankfully, but now I always keep it in mind when doing those types of shots. For my personal stuff though, I just matte if needed.

zguyach wrote in post #16702584
I toyed with making my own frames for a bit and I gave up on it. I'm sure if I had some real training, It is possible to make it worthwhile

Logan Graphics sells some nice frame making equipment. If you have the time and the room, it shouldn't be too hard. But I would consider it a labor of love and not so much an issue of money. If you are making them yourself you probably are not into volume, and if you are doing a lot, a frame shop might be a better idea. I do cut my own mats, but the only custom frames I have made have been from pre cut kits, available at a number of vendors online.

Ah. I really need a proper framing jig to make it worthwhile. Plus a router. Haha.