Framing for Prints

zguyach wrote in post #16704443
Ah. I really need a proper framing jig to make it worthwhile. Plus a router. Haha.

Just purchase moldings from a hardware shop. All that is required is a nice chop saw and jig.

Hogloff wrote in post #16704744
Just purchase moldings from a hardware shop. All that is required is a nice chop saw and jig.

Honestly, I have debated it. I doubt I'll ever go through with it though.

I used to do framing professionally....

Suggest you find a good supplier of ready-made frames. You cannot possibly make your own for the prices at Aaron Brothers, especially when they have a 1 cent sale (first frame is full price, second one of same or lesser value is 1 cent).

Learn to cut mats, if you wish. But a proper, high volume mat cutter isn't cheap and takes up a lot of space. Plus you need to find a supplier of mat board.

I simply have worked out a series of sizes that are either 2:3 ratio (like your camera), or 4:5 ratio, or close to one or the other. I now buy mats precut in those sizes, and ready-made frames to match the mats.

I'd rather be out shooting more photos, than building frames and cutting mats!

It doesn't always work out perfectly... Sometimes I have to do a bit of Photoshop work to make an image fit. Had that happen with a pair of 16x20s for a friend, portraits of her horses. One image was perfect for the 3:4 ratio, the other absolutely wouldn't fit.... it was 2:3. But she wanted them printed as a matched set and there was no way to reshoot (one of the horses had passed away). So I had to "extend" the one image... just the background mostly, an inch or so on each side. Those are the times when I'm really glad I used a large aperture and the background was fairly blurred with minimal detail!

=amfoto1;16705314]I used to do framing professionally....

Suggest you find a good supplier of ready-made frames. You cannot possibly make your own for the prices at Aaron Brothers, especially when they have a 1 cent sale (first frame is full price, second one of same or lesser value is 1 cent).

Learn to cut mats, if you wish. But a proper, high volume mat cutter isn't cheap and takes up a lot of space. Plus you need to find a supplier of mat board.

I simply have worked out a series of sizes that are either 2:3 ratio (like your camera), or 4:5 ratio, or close to one or the other. I now buy mats precut in those sizes, and ready-made frames to match the mats.

I'd rather be out shooting more photos, than building frames and cutting mats!

It doesn't always work out perfectly... Sometimes I have to do a bit of Photoshop work to make an image fit. Had that happen with a pair of 16x20s for a friend, portraits of her horses. One image was perfect for the 3:4 ratio, the other absolutely wouldn't fit.... it was 2:3. But she wanted them printed as a matched set and there was no way to reshoot (one of the horses had passed away). So I had to "extend" the one image... just the background mostly, an inch or so on each side. Those are the times when I'm really glad I used a large aperture and the background was fairly blurred with minimal detail![/QUOTE]

Sounds like you really had it down. Do you Have any pictures of your framed work? It's funny to ask for a picture of a framed picture. Hah.

Let me first say I am not a fan of 8x10 images.
We always had to assume what the 4x5 shape was in a 2x3 viewfinder. Would not want to shoot extra wide and then crop out not only East West but also North South.
The Viewfinder Grid Display on the 7D, 5D Mark III, 1Dx etc outer vertical lines are basically the crop size for 4:5 8x10 image. I learned this from a Canon rep a few years back. It would be nice if in the menu system it would gray out the view finder if say shooting 5x7, 8x10 etc. certainly come in handy.
For most of my work, I offer 2x3 format. More and more local shops, Michael's for example are stocking frames to allow for the 8x12, 12x18 images. for matted images the frames 12x16 and 18x24 are also available. I usually have no problem in not offering the 8x10 as an option as more affordable framing is more easily available.

If I print for framing I always have the frame made. I like to pick my styles, so sizing is not an issue. Price however...