Source for Squares?

B-3 · May 27, 2005

A question for those of you exhibiting images that are square (either because you shoot MF 6cmx6cm or crop them square) - have you found a good source for frames and mats? I'm looking in local stores, on the 'net, not having much luck. I'd like to find frames (and mats) in the range of 12"x12" (for an 8"x8" image) and 16"x16" (for a 10"x10", or 11"x11" or 12"x12" image).

oriecat · May 27, 2005

I've been getting my frames from American Frame http://www.americanframe.com/
You can order them in any size you want.

Gerald Koch · May 27, 2005

Square prints are usually displayed in a rectangular frame hung vertically. Square frames look funny.

winger · May 27, 2005

I have a square photo in a square frame and I don't think it looks weird. I think it looks weird to have a square shot in a rectangular frame. And then you still need to have a square opening, which are always going to be custom or cut yourself.
www.lightimpressionsdirect.com will do mats with any opening and size you want, same with frames.

Flotsam · May 27, 2005

I have standardized on Square frames for everythig. I like the uniform shape and orientation of the frame with the horizontal, vertical and square images matted within them.

I've been buying frame sections from American Frame too. They are a good deal, great if you wait for one of their sales.

gchpaco · May 27, 2005

I started printing 10x10 in quantity because I found out one of the Aaron Brothers' locally sells prefab 14x14 frames; before that it was always a pain (and expensive) to get the glass and frame pieces and put it together.

B-3 · May 27, 2005

thanks

Thank you very much. Those were both very helpful sites.

I was asked to be part of a multi-person show at a local gallery - I agreed and THEN was told that the deadline was next Wednesday. No problem for traditional sizes (I have those in my own inventory), but then the gallery owner picked some square images - ones I had not yet framed - and I quickly figured out that square frames would be a custom job.

I'm going with square in square because my choice of that aspect ratio was intentional when I took the photographs. A square framed within a rectangle, imho, looks like an afterthought, a misfit. (And it would still be a custom matting job - so might as well go all the way.)

Again - thanks for chiming in, and so quickly! Worth the price of admission, right there.

Magnus · May 27, 2005

I use 40x40 cm frames for all my work, ranging from 15x15, 20x20 and 30x30, I don't think it's the frame that makes the difference, it's the passepartout (don't know if this is the right word, but I mean the cardoard between the edge of the photo to the beginning of the frame)

MattKing · May 27, 2005

Magnus said:
I use 40x40 cm frames for all my work, ranging from 15x15, 20x20 and 30x30, I don't think it's the frame that makes the difference, it's the passepartout (don't know if this is the right word, but I mean the cardoard between the edge of the photo to the beginning of the frame)

Given my name, I feel I must help with this question - the word in English is:

... "Matte"

Ironically, this may have french language roots

brent8927 · May 28, 2005

I think a square photograph in a recangular frame looks much nicer, at least for the sizer I work in (approx 7x7 image in 11x14 frame). I mount the image equidistant from the sides and the top, so it's square to the top, with a large space underneath on the bottom. Perhaps it's just the size I work in, which is a bit small for medium format, but I have never heard anyone, including my many photography professors who certainly know how to critique, say that they thought my framing looked funny. I have had a number of viewers tell me that my framing was very nice.

However, if I were going to print very large then I would almost definetely use a square; I think my preferred method of framing might look a bit odd with a large rectangular frame.

KevinR · May 28, 2005

You can also buy rails to what ever size you need thru Light Impressions. They have an express delivery if you need it. Probably a little more expensive, but they run deals pretty often.

smieglitz · May 28, 2005

I have a couple square images shot diagonally that I've framed in square frames rotated 45-degrees from vertical to form a diamond shape on the wall. Try that with a rectangular frame! I know. I'm out-of-control...

Joe

c6h6o3 · May 30, 2005

Flotsam said:
I've been buying frame sections from American Frame too. They are a good deal, great if you wait for one of their sales.

Do they come with assembly hardware? It doesn't mention that anywhere on the website.

gr82bart · May 30, 2005

I use Bainbridge mats.

Art.

Flotsam · May 30, 2005

c6h6o3 said:
Do they come with assembly hardware? It doesn't mention that anywhere on the website.

Yes. I buy the Neilson aluminum frames and each set of two pairs comes with a complete package of hardware for assembly

Jon Shiu · May 30, 2005

c6h6o3 said:
Do they come with assembly hardware? It doesn't mention that anywhere on the website.

Re: American Frame, comes with standard hardware kit (buy wire separately).

Jon

celeborn · Sep 12, 2005

passe-partout

Magnus said:
I use 40x40 cm frames for all my work, ranging from 15x15, 20x20 and 30x30, I don't think it's the frame that makes the difference, it's the passepartout (don't know if this is the right word, but I mean the cardoard between the edge of the photo to the beginning of the frame)

I love adding new words to my vocabulary so I looked this one up.
Passe-partout
(pas-p&r-'tü)
1 : MASTER KEY
2 a : 5MAT b : a method of framing in which a picture, a mat, a glass, and a back (as of cardboard) are held together by strips of paper or cloth pasted over the edges
3 : a strong paper gummed on one side and used especially for mounting pictures

Thanks to all who have responded to this thread, I always learn something at APUG.ORG.

Source for Squares?

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