How To Frame Fine Art Photography
My goal as an artist is to make the art-buying process easy for you, but also allow flexibility if you have specific needs that require custom framing. Fine art print clients and prospective clients sometimes have questions about framing choices and styles so I'll do my best here to address common framing questions.
Questions to Ask Yourself Before Researching Framing Options
How to frame fine art photography is a broad question so it's important to narrow down the criteria first before trying to answer that question. I would suggest that the most important consideration is what photograph are you interesting in hanging on the wall? What I mean by this is, is it a colorful scenic landscape, subtle abstract nature details or a photograph of modern architecture?
The photograph itself can either be enhanced or detracted from based on your framing decisions. One example that comes to mind occurred when I was judging the California State Fair photography contest, when my juror's award selection was a black & white tree photograph of a dying tree. One aspect of the piece that stood out to me was that it was a ChromaLuxe metal print which typically is printed on a glossy surface. However, the artist chose to frame this piece using a matte surface which was the most appropriate choice given the photograph was not a "loud" photograph but asked the viewers to linger over the piece. A glossy presentation would have been the opposite of subtle.
Another aspect to consider is what type of interior design you're going for. If you intend to hang the artwork within a cabin in the mountains then a more rustic presentation style like a barn wood frame might be the way to go, or if you have a modern interior then you'll likely opt for a ready-to-hang TruLife Acrylic face mount.
Choosing a Frame Style
The ideal frame style for you really comes down to the type of look you're aiming for. The question to ask yourself is do you prefer modern, traditional, ornate, minimalist or rustic? If you prefer a minimalist, contemporary style then opting for a "frameless" TruLife Acrylic face mount or ChromaLuxe Edge Mount might be your best bet. These are two of my core print offerings and 60% of my clients will opt for one of these two options, sometimes both. This is doubles as an all-purpose framing style as there is no external frame so it blends well with any interior design and art subject.
If you want a traditional frame style then I can ship a loose paper print to a local framer of your choice. More luxurious options include custom Italian ROMA frames paired with TruLife Acrylic Face Mounts or ChromaLuxe metal prints framed within a wooden or metal floater frame. I personally have several ROMA framed TruLife Acrylic prints in my home office and a framed ChromaLuxe metal print hanging over my fireplace mantel. Traditional framing is bit boring for my tastes so I only have one in my personal collection. This is all subjective however so I'm happy to work with you to make the right choice for your needs and desires.
Selection of Frame Material
Your choices for frame material include wood, stainless steel and composites such as Gatorboard and styrene. Factors to consider during your decision-making process include budget, where the print will hang, size of the print, the artwork itself and aesthetic style. As an example, while you could choose a barn wood frame material for a modern architecture print, that would likely result in a clash of opposite styles thus detract from the artwork. Meanwhile Gatorboard and styrene are generally low-cost options for display typically used in commercial signage. If you have a multi-million dollar home like many of my clients do that likely wouldn't be appropriate. Traditional wooden framing is a timeless look and arguably the most versatile in my opinion.
Type and Color of Matting
Recommended matting options range from traditional mat board to luxury linen liners on custom floater frames. If going with the traditional matting option then I highly suggest seeking out acid-free cotton mat for the longevity of your artwork. There are cheaper materials out there that will degrade over time and damage your artwork if not handled carefully. Unless you're looking to frame cheap artwork or posters, I would always recommend using museum-grade archival materials in your framing.
As for mat colors, you can find just about any color imaginable. Since I work in the fine art photography space, I would recommend sticking with either white or black. The objective of matting is to lead the viewer's eye into the art, not be the center of attention. It should accentuate the artwork.
Determination of Mat Borders
Calculating the appropriate size for mat borders requires attention to the artwork and frame size. The width of the border will affect perception of the artwork; a border that is too narrow may appear cramped, whereas a wide border can provide a generous visual space that enhances the image. Too large of a mat size however and you might run the risk of over-powering the photography print especially if the print dimensions are on the smaller side. Some museums do this for small prints to make the presentation look substantial but I find this style distracting as it draws more attention to the framing than the actual artwork.
Mat border colors hold the power to complement or detract from the image. A neutral color palette often proves effective in showcasing fine art photography without competing for attention. Contrasting mat colors can serve to highlight certain tones within the image, though they must be chosen with discernment to avoid overwhelming the artwork.
A wide mat border can turn the frame into a statement piece while honoring the photograph.
Selecting a mat color in harmony with the photograph's palette will ensure the image remains focal.
The exercise of defining mat borders goes beyond mere measurement; it involves aesthetic judgement and a nuanced approach to the photograph's presentation within its frame.
Glass or Acrylic Glazing Options
The debate between glass or acrylic has some important considerations. Museum-grade glass is hard to top in terms of overall quality and clarity. There are major tradeoffs however in terms of durability, weight and expense. Most print labs and framers won't ship glass larger than 36" due to the high risk of shattering. Do you want to spend your hard-earned money on something this fragile? Acrylic on the other hand has come along way over the past few decades. Previously your options were to go with regular acyrlic which is shiny and highly reflective or "non-glare" which essentially has a layer of frosting that diffuses the lighting. The downside "non-glare acrylic" is that results in a less detailed print presentation.
I opt for TruLife Acrylic face mounts because they are scratch resistant (not quite shatter-proof but much more durable than other options) and there is way less glare which results in the most detailed presentation style. The most distracting type of glazing are prints where you can see a mirror of your own face on the print surface. You will want to avoid hanging your print directly across from windows and out of direct sunlight regardless of which option you choose.
Frame Mounting Methods
I've mentioned acrylic face mounting several times in this article. This is a contemporary framing style that involves permanently bonding the print in-between two pieces of museum-grade acrylic for maximum clarity then using a strong adhesive to attach a rear-mounted frame which results in the piece standing out anywhere from 0.5" to 1.0" from the wall. ChromaLuxe metal prints are also commonly framed with rear-mounting.
Alternative options include mounting prints directly on thin sheets of aluminum DiBond, wooden plaque mounts and Gatorboard. For these options I would highly recommend ensuring that print itself has been laminated to ensure durability. You really don't want a print to be exposed to the elements without some method of encapsulation.
Then there is the traditional technique of taping of prints onto hinge-mounted matte board. For smaller prints, photo corners can be used on mat board in-lieu of tape.
Lighting and Display Considerations
Lighting fine art photography prints warrants its' own article which I will cover at some point but at a high-level, you want to ensure that your prints are well-lit in order to have the maximum visual impact. Just shining any flood light at the artwork isn't going to cut it however and may actually decrease the longevity of the artwork. You also want to avoid windows and direct sunlight as mentioned previously. Not only will windows result in excessive glare which makes it difficult to view the art, there is no amount of archival framing techniques that can combat harmful UV sunlight. At best you can delay the inevitable fading but you really want to hang the prints away from direct sunlight at all costs.
One tip I will also offer to art buyers is that while viewing photography on a website or at an art gallery, you should consider the color of the website background and gallery walls. Do those colors match what you have at home? If the prints are displayed on dark background like my website or a Peter Lik Gallery then the photo may appear to be a little bit brighter than it would appear against a white wall. This has to do with how the human eye handles color contrast. If you're interested in purchasing a darker print then you'll want to ensure you have ample lighting otherwise the print may not have it's intended effect on the viewer. Lighting and display conditions are the final piece of the puzzle when it comes to viewing artwork. Even the most incredible artwork can look lackluster when displayed in the wrong context.
Hanging Hardware and Installation
There are a multitude of options for hanging hardware and art installation techniques. The most common hanging systems are wire hanging, french cleats and D-rings. Wire hangers and D-rings can be paired with dry wall anchors or Gorilla hooks. Traditional picture frame hooks can be used for smaller and lighter-weight frames. If you use too lightweight of hanging hardware you run the risk of the print falling off the wall and/or the dry wall ripping out causing unnecessary damage. For this reason I would err on the side of caution and opt for stronger than recommended solutions.
Buy Direct From The Artist
Art buyers and collectors seeking personal service and high-quality production value are best served by contacting photographic artists directly via their personal website. Not all photographers are created equal but you can easily determine which photographers are serious about providing you with quality service just by spending a few minutes on their website.
I have been a landscape and travel photographer for 20 years and have been providing services for art buyers for much of this time. This website features dozens of curated landscape photography galleries featuring my best work created over the course of my career. My objective is to learn about your art needs and help you to fulfill those needs. Sometimes your needs call for ready to hang, large-format limited edition fine art landscape photography prints while other times you might simply need a loose print sent directly to your framer for a hospital art collection. Regardless of what the specific need is, I can help guide you in the right direction. Contact me and we will figure that out together.
Museum-Quality Fine Art Prints For Homes, Hospital & Offices
I offer limited and open edition photography prints on ready-to-hang TruLife® Acrylic face mounts and ChromaLuxe Edge Mounts. Canson Infinity cotton prints are also available if you wish to work with your own framer.
I offer personal consultations with my customers to determine which style of print is best for you and produce custom print files tailored to your needs. Printing and shipping of my landscape photos are handled by world-class professional print labs. For licensing inquiries, contact me. I’m here to help you through the process as you consider purchasing artwork for your home or office. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
