Recently in both For Your Consideration and Landscape Forum, two photographers posted photos with fairly large mats/frames around their images. Much of the feedback involved the like/dislike of those mats.

Obviously, it's up to the photographer how to present his/her image to an online forum. My questions:

- If you are the photographer, is it reasonable to assume that respondents will make observations about the size/color/style of your choices, or should they comment only on the photo?

- If you are the viewer, do you assume that the photographer expects you to comment on the mat/frame as part of your feedback?

My opinion is that the mat and/or frame is part of the whole and appropriate to be included in feedback. Some sites offer frames for you to add as a final step in posting (fredmiranda.com is one). I went through a period where everything I posted to UHH had double-mats, similar to how you might select at a print shop. A lot of other people here were doing same at the time. It was fun attempting to choose a combination of size and colors that would (hopefully) enhance the image.

Your thoughts, experience, advice? Feel free to post photo examples!

I can certainly understand this philosophy and won't argue against it. Signed works, however, oftentimes add value to works of art. Even a print, not an original, of a painting that is signed by the artist has more value and prestige than an unsigned version. Certain graphics such as etchings are often signed and numbered as to the number of prints produced- limited editions are more valuable. Signatures authenticate the original work of artists and photographers.

For photographers who earn their livelihood from their work, it is important that there work be identified to folks who may admire it in passing and may wish to commission a portrait or purchase some existing work. If all the information is on the back of the frame or display, of course it is obscured from sight. In many communities the signed work of a prominent, well known or respected photgraher is added prestige.

All of this and excellent craftsmanship and presentation is important to the business of photography. Of course, I am referring to a elegant, well scribed conservative signature, NOT a mechanically engraved or imprinted stamp or logo- no commercial information, no address or telephone number! Just the signature.

Admittedly, this IS commercialism, business stuff, but in the business of art and photography we all have to promote our "name"- Sometimes our good name is our most valuable asset.