Mounting
and framing a photograph has a tremendous effect on the image. It
reinforces the visual impact that was always there--but subdued.
Mount even a casual snapshot and it takes on a vitality that grabs
your attention. A good photograph is worth the effort and doing
it yourself is fun and a lot less costly than having it done by
a framing store--especially if it gets to be a habit.
Mounting and framing
does not have to be difficult or time consuming. I guess it takes
no more than 20 minutes to accomplish it. And while a mounting press
does the best job adhesives work well, also. And you don't have
to spend hours in your woodworking shop constructing frames.
You can find really good
ones at your local art supply store or in mail order catalogs. And
while I like ready-made wood frames there are systems that allow
you to construct them to fit you needs-from panorama to standard
proportions. You choose the bits and pieces you need and bolt them
together with the supplied hardware. It takes about 10 minutes to
make a frame in any size you choose. They are usually made of lightweight
metals and come in a variety of colors. My own choice is black since
I usually mount my images on white board. Black and white photographs
should be mounted on buffered board and non-buffered board is usually
used for color. Prices range according to quality, weight (number
of ply), and size. Light Impressions advises a two-ply back and
four-ply front. The heavier board provides better separation from
glass fronts (if you use glass). When you start mounting your prints
you'll work out a system that is best for you.
What size matte should
I use? Usually a matte that's one size up from the print seems to
work best-11x14 for an 8x10 print, for example.
Matte cutters start at
slightly under a hundred dollars and go as high as a thousand or
more. Most of them do a good job. What you pay for is the cutter's
ability to handle the matte size you plan to use. Also the larger
units allow greater flexibility in making window cuts.
You can cut matte windows
by hand. Manual cutters are okay for two-ply boards but four ply
can be a bit difficult. You can adjust a manual cutter for a straight
or beveled cut. But there's no doubt that a regular matte cutter
is more efficient and much more accurate. There are also matte cutters
that create circular windows that are great for snapshots. You may
want one that makes a beveled cut window since they look better
than straight cuts. A straight cutter is great for cutting large
mattes down to the size you want.
Do you have to mount
on matte boards? I've mounted photographs on old barn siding, for
example. It's fun to experiment but I would stick with adhesive
mounting for odd size material rather than a mounting press. Will
adhesives eventually damage a print? Make sure that the adhesive
is formulated for photography. Cold mounting presses using sheets
of an adhesive material do a good, safe job and are slightly less
expensive than a hot mounting press. Reading various catalogs from
distributors and manufacturers will provide insights into alternate
mounting systems. For example, Light Impressions (PO Box 22708,
Rochester, NY 14603) and Porter's Camera Store (Box 628, Cedar Falls,
IA 50613) have interesting catalogs that contain considerable mounting
information. Check Shutterbug advertisers like B&H and Adorama.
Your local art supply dealer is a good place to find mounting material
and frames. Any frame you buy should have room for backing as well
as glass. Non glare glass cuts down on visibility somewhat but regular
glass is less expensive. A piece of 16x20 glass can cost as little
as $3 or $4.
Mounting is actually
a two-stage operation-mounting the photograph on the board and then
making a cutout window. The window protects the photograph from
direct contact with a glass front and also provides a border that
makes the image look terrific.
3. Setting
the right temperature for the mounting press is very important.
Check with the manufacturer or the manual. The temperature for
color and black and white prints are different and not paying
attention can cause damage. Use a sheet of craft paper to prevent
direct contact of platen with print.
5. With
most matte cutters cutting the window is almost automatic. Line
up the window outline with the matte cutter retaining system and
insert the guides of the bevel cutter in the guide track. Line
up the cutter indicator with the 90 mark and make the cut until
the cutter is lined up with the opposite side. Continue until
the cutout is complete.
8. The Relegate
system is acid free and non-toxic. The applicator applies the
adhesive coating quickly and with little fuss. Use a sheet under
it to allow for complete edge to edge coating.
10. It's
a good idea to use two-ply board backing behind mounted prints
when framing. Mounting points can be pushed in with a screwdriver
although a point driver makes it easier.
12.
Components for making your own frame shape from panorama to standard
sizes are available in wood or metal. Metal frames use spring-like
pieces to hold the matte boards securely.
2.
Determine where you want to position the print on the mounting
board and mark each corner with small, light dots. Line up the
print at the dots and use a T-square to keep the print lined up.
Tack the open mounting tissue at each dot.
4. It can
be done freehand using a ruler but a T-square makes it a lot easier
and much more accurate. Measure the size of the print and then
decide how much overlap you want. A safe bet is 1/8" but it can
be virtually any dimension that works for you. You may find that
the window provides a way to crop the image without actually making
the crop permanent.
6. Instruments
like the Dexter matte cutter work well with two-ply boards and
can be adjusted for straight or beveled cuts. The one I have is
right-handed. I'm a lefty but manage somehow with the aid of a
T-square.
9.
The coating is nonstick and allows time for repositioning the
print. The roller burnishes the print for an overall even mounting.
11.
The image on the left is in a store bought wooden frame. With
photographs simple framing works best. Black contrasts well with
a white matte. The frame on the right is a combination of components
from an art supply store. The pieces may be as small as 6" or
as large as 40" or more.