Digital Matting
Apr 9, 2019 08:22:35 #
newriverpaddler
Loc: West Virginia
Do many of you use digital mats? I find that if I save the photo after pp that I can change color, size, shape, or anything else by adding the mats in photoshop. I have all but given up on paper mats totally.
One I took 3-4 years ago at my son's wedding:
One I took 3-4 years ago at my son's wedding:
Apr 9, 2019 08:34:52 #
No, but I think I’m headed that way because of the cost of matting. I’m doing a lot of my prints full-sized (eg. 16x20) without matting for some shows I enter. I’m seeing more and more of this style.
Apr 9, 2019 08:36:00 #
If you use digital mats, you lose all the benefits of a standard mat. Just my opinion, but I think the standard mat is the way to go for hanging. Digital may be ok for digital viewing.
IMHO
IMHO
Apr 9, 2019 08:47:51 #
Several folks have recently posted digital matting and framing ideas to PP Forum. I'll point them to this discussion. Thanks for the timely topic and for sharing your stunning image!
One valuable use is when you have cropped to a non-standard size and want to fit the pic into a standard frame. See below and note that the white "mat" is not equal width on all sides. The exterior dimensions fit an 8x12 frame.
Here is how I extended the canvas (white area) in PS Elements:
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-552404-1.html
.
One valuable use is when you have cropped to a non-standard size and want to fit the pic into a standard frame. See below and note that the white "mat" is not equal width on all sides. The exterior dimensions fit an 8x12 frame.
Here is how I extended the canvas (white area) in PS Elements:
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-552404-1.html
.
Apr 9, 2019 08:48:55 #
I have used digital matting to experiment with the effects of border size and mat color on a handful of my images. Very helpful and revealing. Unfortunately, I have lost touch with my notes and tutorials on how to do this in Photoshop and I'm wondering if anyone might have a handy link to such things. Thanks in advance for posting.
From the moderator:
There is a video in this series:
https://www.youtube.com/user/langellphotography/videos
If someone would like to post a written tutorial, please start a new topic and provide a link within this topic. Thanks everyone!
From the moderator:
There is a video in this series:
https://www.youtube.com/user/langellphotography/videos
If someone would like to post a written tutorial, please start a new topic and provide a link within this topic. Thanks everyone!
Apr 9, 2019 09:06:05 #
Although a lot of things are capable of being done in processing, some things are just flat out not a good choice. Matting is one of them.
--Bob
--Bob
Apr 9, 2019 09:32:52 #
Like Linda, I crop "artistically" and sometimes the print needs the extra border/mat to print full size, but I can't find the correct process in Affinity Photo. If anyone can provide guidance for that software, I would be MOST appreciative! Thanks, Sam
Apr 9, 2019 10:06:56 #
rmalarz wrote:
Although a lot of things are capable of being done in processing, some things are just flat out not a good choice. Matting is one of them.
--Bob
--Bob
👍
Apr 9, 2019 14:11:56 #
SafetySam wrote:
Here is a new topic for Affinity Photo that will get you going:I have been struggling with the same topic in Affinity Photo ...
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-586778-1.html
.
Apr 9, 2019 14:20:20 #
I have employed "Virtual Mattes" for certain purposes but not in FORMAL or TRADITIONAL framing presentations.
Once I am doing serious TRADITIONAL framing of an image and go into the selection of an appropriate molding, matte, glass, and possible archival considerations, I prefer to go to conventional physical mattes. There are a number of reasons.
If the job requires archival framing, I need the actual matte to help suspend the print in the frame and keep it from direct contact with the glass. Aesthetically, the real matte adds depth to the aesthetics of the total piece. This does not mean to say that it adds "depth" to an otherwise flat image, it's just, in my opinion, a superior and more effective presentation. It is possible to somewhat simulate the "look" in a virtual matte but in close-up and personal viewing, I like the real McCoy.
Virtual matts have their place too. Obviously, for screen images that would benefit from various borders and likewise for images that are to be lithographically reproduced in a certain publications or advertising piece. If I want to create an oval or circular composition, an off-center presentation, or a different aspect ratio or image size on a "competition" print, where physical mattes are prohibited for handling during judging purposes and a uniform outside dimension is required, I may create a virtual matte in post-processing.
In many commercial display prints and large display transparencies, if a border or matte is useful, it has to be printed in. If special effects are required or desired, like a picture within a picture or where the border consists of an out of focus section of the main image, of course these are post-processing methods. There are many commercial, informal, fun and decorative images that can benefit from a border, a thin kinda pinstripe line or graphics that can be added in post-processing.
Even on photographs posted on social media, made into gifts and greeting cards, a border or special PIP effect adds a nice touch. Virtual mattes and borders are fun!
Once I am doing serious TRADITIONAL framing of an image and go into the selection of an appropriate molding, matte, glass, and possible archival considerations, I prefer to go to conventional physical mattes. There are a number of reasons.
If the job requires archival framing, I need the actual matte to help suspend the print in the frame and keep it from direct contact with the glass. Aesthetically, the real matte adds depth to the aesthetics of the total piece. This does not mean to say that it adds "depth" to an otherwise flat image, it's just, in my opinion, a superior and more effective presentation. It is possible to somewhat simulate the "look" in a virtual matte but in close-up and personal viewing, I like the real McCoy.
Virtual matts have their place too. Obviously, for screen images that would benefit from various borders and likewise for images that are to be lithographically reproduced in a certain publications or advertising piece. If I want to create an oval or circular composition, an off-center presentation, or a different aspect ratio or image size on a "competition" print, where physical mattes are prohibited for handling during judging purposes and a uniform outside dimension is required, I may create a virtual matte in post-processing.
In many commercial display prints and large display transparencies, if a border or matte is useful, it has to be printed in. If special effects are required or desired, like a picture within a picture or where the border consists of an out of focus section of the main image, of course these are post-processing methods. There are many commercial, informal, fun and decorative images that can benefit from a border, a thin kinda pinstripe line or graphics that can be added in post-processing.
Even on photographs posted on social media, made into gifts and greeting cards, a border or special PIP effect adds a nice touch. Virtual mattes and borders are fun!
Apr 9, 2019 16:06:56 #
I have done digital matting a few times but only for images on the computer. If I am printing one to frame then I make my own matting so I can get the colour to tone in with the picture...
Apr 9, 2019 20:19:41 #
I do occasionally use digital frames and have always enjoyed the effect this one has to offer. It's offered in the photo editing program PicMonkey. At one point and time PicMonkey use to be offered free, and you were allowed to upgrade for a fee. I'm not sure if this is the case any more, but I still enjoy using the program for things such as frames, signatures, and cloning to just name a few. Here is one of my favorite uses of their frames
Apr 11, 2019 13:33:45 #
I still prefer the three dimensional values that physical matting brings. I agree the cost is getting out of hand but with practice and professional grade mat cutting tool the results ate best.
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