jerrypoller Loc: Huntington, NY

I line the walls of my small home office with family candid portraits, mostly my grandchildren. I was watching a video tutorial the other day which included a segment on displaying printed photos. The expert recommended museum glass for the best, non glare results, but did caution that museum glass is very expensive.
I print on a Canon Pixma 970 dye based inkjet printer - I don't worry about the archival quality of my photos because I update them a few times a year (the grandchildren grow like weeds). I use glossy paper (currently RR Arctic Polar Gloss) to help make the colors pop. And I've always hated the glare I'd get on my photos from the various viewing angles/light sources in my office. So, I had the thought, non-glare and museum glass weren't practical - why not take the glass out of the frames altogether and just display the photos in the frames without any glass. I tried it and am quite satisfied - the colors come through dramatically, and if I don't update the photo before it gets worn/damaged, I can always just reprint it. I think I found a winning solution to my dilemma. I would appreciate your thoughts and suggestions for, perhaps, a better, cost effective way to display my work for my personal enjoyment.

Bill_de Loc: US

Nothing wrong with that. It used to be somewhat common to hang photos with no frames.

http://www.posterjack.ca/frameless.php

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Szalajj Loc: Salem, NH

Think dust, dirt, grease, & grime.

I work in an old converted factory building, and the sheer volume of dust & grime in my office is uncontrollable.

At home, I live just off of a commuter and shopper route, in addition to having a cat with a litter box in a one bedroom condo.

The dust and grime are just too heavy at either location to allow for glassless display of any pictures.

Bill_de Loc: US

You should see about getting into a Swiffer commercial. :thumbup:

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Dick Z. Loc: Downers Grove IL

You have the right Idea jerrypoller. A big problem with any glass over glossy prints is a thing called "newton rings". It's caused by the inside glossy surface of the glass contacting the glossy surface of the print. Mat finished prints don't have that problem. In the future you might want to display canvas or other texture prints and be able to enjoy the texture of the print. You can, mount glass over glossy prints by sprinkling a light coat of talcum powder on the print and dusting it lightly before placing the glass over it, and eliminate newton rings, if you decide to use antiglare glass.
I hope this helps your problem.

jerrypoller Loc: Huntington, NY

I'm using the frames, just without the glass. And I run a small air/dust filter periodically to help keep the dust down.

jerrypoller Loc: Huntington, NY

I think the dust is pretty well under control. Of course, I'm only a week into glassless display. But I can always just reprint the photos if they start to look too dingy.

jerrypoller Loc: Huntington, NY

I tried Mat paper a couple of times, but miss the pop of color I get with glossy paper. I had never heard of the light dusting of talcum though - I will definitely give it a try. Thanks.

orrie smith Loc: Kansas

you can buy a spray finish to protect from UV rays for a couple of dollars and finish the glass yourself. the glass looks funny by itself, but once you put it in a frame with a photo behind it, it looks fine. also, unless you are displaying the photos in a sunny room, you should not have any problems for about a hundred years or so.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

This product protects as well as glass:

http://www.freestylephoto.biz/882008-Hahnemuhle-Protective-Spray-14-oz.-Can

Edit: Drat, it's discontinued! Try this one, I used it some time ago:

http://www.lightimpressionsdirect.com/desert-varnish-lacquer-spray-135-oz/moab-digital-entrada-paper/

jerrypoller Loc: Huntington, NY

Thanks for the resource suggestion - but preservation of the photos isn't really a problem - I swap them out for new pics as the grandkids get older - about 2-3 times a year - I don't notice any deterioration of the prints during that little time. I will keep a can of the lacquer around though for the couple of prints I hang permanently - thanks.

Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA

Or use a mat to keep the print off of the glass

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

I was thinking mostly that the prints are easy to clean with a soft damp cloth. Two thin coats are better than one thick coat. :)

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

[quote=Szalajj] in addition to having a cat with a litter box in a one bedroom condo.

Like you, my friend, everything in our house is covered with Cat Hair.

UXOEOD

I simply dry mount my prints to foam core board, and 3M Command No Damage Products to stick them to the walls. Looks great!

Will the prints last for ever, don't know, but I won't either. Inexpensive, easy, looks good, no damage to the house. Seems like a win-win so far!