Picture frames.

[Hamster]

I was surprised how difficult it was to find picture frames, especially when I have something particular in mind.

What I was looking for was something in Art Nouveau Style.

How do you choose your picture frames? Is it important for you?

 

[Ian Grant]

My last set of frames were made specially for me, the framer cut the profile himself. Choice of frame is very important and also quite personal

Try going to a large framing suppliers as they have a far wider range of profiles than any framing shop. I get the frames made and the framer buys in the glass & backs separately which I get at cost price which helps asve money.

Ian

 

[panastasia]

I had the same problem. I've searched extensively, nationwide, for frames to fit my need and came up empty. I prefer solid mahogany and Peruvian walnut in narrow hand cut profiles, which include what's called mini-antique profiles. I spent a year perfecting my production process - for my own work - starting with rough hand picked lumber and mixing my own stains, including black, or very dark colors to compliment print tones. I do extensive old photo restorations and sometimes hand color them. Some of the colored photos require a wider selection of stain colors. I don't sell the frames as separate items.

Paul

 

[Jenniferk]

I'm great at finding any frame style you can imagine - I've been custom framing for the past 10 years and think it one of my specialities to find period frames from all over the world. If you have a specific style of frame that you are having trouble finding you can contact me directly anytime, 718-947-3426 I'll always be happy to help.

Jennifer

 

[Stefan Findel]

Not just the frames, the matboard and glass are as important.
For sepia toned BW prints I only like dark wood frames, but can never settle on which ones I like best. I have built my own in the past from solid walnut, stained or not, but always handrubbed with Tung Oil. What I cannot find are mat boards in a color I like, esp. archival ones for which there are very few colors. I like cream colored ones, as long as they are not too light, too green, too yellow, too pinkish... Or I handcolor my own to match the sepia.
For glass I only use Museum Glass.
I am still not totally satisfied after doing this for 25 yrs...

 

[RalphLambrecht]

I was surprised how difficult it was to find picture frames, especially when I have something particular in mind.

What I was looking for was something in Art Nouveau Style.

How do you choose your picture frames? Is it important for you?

I'm lucky. I like the plain, black aluminum frames, Ansel Adams style. No problem to find them at all. I also like the way he mounted, matted and framed them. It's a good timeless fit for B&W photographs.

 

[Vaughn]

Simple styles. For my platinum and my carbon prints I have gone with black wood frames (16x20 for 8x10 prints, 12x16 for 4x10 prints). "Natural white" 8-ply board to match the semi-warm color of the prints.

The black frames have a 5/8 inch flat surface then bevels down to the glass at a 45 degree angle for another 1/4 inch. The 45 degree bevel of the frame mimics and works very well with the bevel of the 8-ply window. The black of the frame works well with the black rebate I leave showing around the print.

 

[jeffreyg]

I second simple frames: aluminum in black or German silver which are readily available from Light Impressions. Also custom framing but with simple moulding in black or an antique silver effect. 8-ply board also sets the prints off nicely. Bright white for silver and natural white for platinum/palladium. Be sure to use acid-free materials.

 

[papagene]

I like the simple aluminum frames, either black or a gun-metal type finish. I usually use a 4-ply mat as that is all I can afford.

Now, as the person who hangs all the exhibits at the Valley Photo Center in Springfield, MA, I really like the aluminum (Nielson style) frames. Soooooooo easy to hang... a level and two nails, I use the top channel for hanging... very simple math... a real piece of cake. Whereas, frames with wires or other hanging methods are a real pain to hang a show... measure this, divide that, add this and subtract that... and each frame the wire is a different tension. It's a real drag.
Sorry for the rant!

gene

 

[Stefan Findel]

BTW: If you have a lot of money, and need frames, that allow you to easily change prints, look here:
http://halbe-rahmen.de/index.php?id=59&L=1
I purchased frames from Halbe for an exhibit I had in Germany, and the system is truly fast, the frames very nice and solid, easy to hang. I will continue use them in my own gallery. They are expensive, but of outstanding design and quality. (Think Ebony, Schneider, Leica etc.)

 

[RalphLambrecht]

BTW: If you have a lot of money, and need frames, that allow you to easily change prints, look here:
http://halbe-rahmen.de/index.php?id=59&L=1
I purchased frames from Halbe for an exhibit I had in Germany, and the system is truly fast, the frames very nice and solid, easy to hang. I will continue use them in my own gallery. They are expensive, but of outstanding design and quality. (Think Ebony, Schneider, Leica etc.)

That's my favorite frame for exhibitions. For everything else, I use Nielsen.