to mask or not to mask edges

[JOSarff]

When contact printing your negative in various historic processes, do you mask the area outside the negative, or let it go black?

Secondly, do you cut your mats to hide or show the black?

 

[phaedrus]

I don't mask when contact printing, that'd be the purpose of the mat. On the second point, should the mat show the irregular black border and the film margins, I'm in two minds about it. On the one hand, why shouldn't something of the process be visible? On the other hand, it's kind of an in-joke, isn't it. Lots of civilians will think: "He didn't clean up the borders well." Best to let the process show up only in that way that it enhances the image, therefore mat cutout at the intended image edges.

Best regards, Christoph

 

[keithwms]

My opinion varies from image to image. But I think more and more people are showing their edges these days.

I can see a few reasons for this:

(1) to show that the print is not a crop, in the sprit of HCB;
(2) to give two options for framing: one with the mat right up to the image edge and the other showing the film edge;
(3) to show that the print originated from a traditional neg, and perhaps as a statement that some people feel compelled to make, "this is not a digital print."

Mind you, I have seen various attempts by digital shooters to add polaroidy edges and film sprockets etc., which is sort of amusing.

And quite a few cyano,Pt/Pd or other alt printers also like to show rough brush edges to sort of emphasize the craftsmanship.

 

[JBrunner]

I leave the brush marks. The buyer can decide to mat them out or not. Some do, some don't. Everyone is happy.

 

[boyooso]

In general I believe the clean borders on a handcoated image is more refined, more professional...

That isn't to say it is better, it is more difficult though.

I do like to show the edges of the paper in a frame, it is a quite nice look in my opinion...

I think photographers use many things to distract from content.. IE. fall color, sunsets, sunrise, sloppy borders, wet plate,brush strokes... etc... just trying to provoke thought.....

Corey