Framing A Photo: What is the best type of frame for photos? Wood or metal? Black

artlover Loc: NM

What is the best type of frame for photos?

Wood or metal? Black - gold or silver?

Malcolm B Loc: Leicester (UK)

I do framing and to my mind you cannot say that every photo or picture can have the same frame. The one exception for me would be when you are doing a series for exhibition then you can mount and frame identically because all the pictures are part of the whole.

Otherwise you need to look at each picture and think what will add to it, - colour of matt(s) (single or double matt), colour of frame, thickness of frame. For me one size does fit all.

If you have a really good picture the mounting and framing should add something and enhance the picture.

busted_shutter

Personally, I always like wood. Have spent hours looking for that "right" frame for any one particular photo.

Bruce with a Canon Loc: Islip

The image will take on various 'persona" depending on the frame selected.
Informal shot like wood.
Formal shots beg for dark metal frames
That said opinions vary.
When I do sets, I prefer metal frames in a color that compliments the major color in the images.

russelray Loc: La Mesa CA

artlover wrote:

What is the best type of frame for photos?

Wood or metal? Black - gold or silver?

Depends on your own personal taste.

I like a darker frame most of the time with a matte around the picture.

Sometimes I'll do a lighter frame if the picture is dark. Many of my steam engine train pictures, with so much black in them, look good in a lighter colored frame.

photocat Loc: Atlanta, Ga

traditional photos have been mounted with metal frames, as wood gasses out and sooner or later will efffect the matt and then the photo.

Years ago there was only one color, silver. Now there is a wide variety of colors.

If one uses wood it is best to use framer archival tape and tape the rabbit of the frame .

creativ simon Loc: Coulsdon, South London

Personal choice, I like wood and black for most of my work

profpb Loc: Venice, Florida

I frame my shots before not after I press the shutter.

David Kay Loc: Arlington Heights IL

photocat wrote:

traditional photos have been mounted with metal frames, as wood gasses out and sooner or later will efffect the matt and then the photo.

Years ago there was only one color, silver. Now there is a wide variety of colors.

If one uses wood it is best to use framer archival tape and tape the rabbit of the frame .

Question for you as I am confused. You said wood gases out. What do you mean? I have never heard of this and wonder where you found that information. Also, how would taping the rabbit, control it? The mat for the photo is against the wood in the rabbit.

Thanks for your help.

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

On photos of wildlife or outdoor scene I like rustic barn-board frames. On portraits I prefer a more formal beautiful cherry wood frame. When I display a series of photos, or photos I hang in my office, I have Nation's Photo Labs mount them on 1/2-inch "Gator Board" (a lightweight but very hard, non-warping composite board) and I glue 1x2" wood strips on the back and attach hanging wire to some small screw eyes on the inner aspect of the two wood pieces. This makes the board stand out an inch from the wall for a very nice eye-catching effect.

russelray Loc: La Mesa CA

David Kay wrote:

Question for you as I am confused. You said wood gases out. What do you mean? I have never heard of this and wonder where you found that information. Also, how would taping the rabbit, control it? The mat for the photo is against the wood in the rabbit.

Thanks for your help.

I haven't either. Certainly makes one wonder about those museums and art galleries throughout the world that are holding on to priceless paintings and photographs that are framed in huge wooden frames.

photocat Loc: Atlanta, Ga

I was taught that many years ago, but here are a couple of links that talk about this infomration.

Paintings are usual hung with a liner which helps and the wood used years ago where hardwood which doesn't break down as easily.

http://www.loc.gov/preservation/care/mat.html

http://dlis.dos.state.fl.us/archives/preservation/matting/

separation of the mat from the rabbit just increases the life of the board. Once the board starts to "break down' , sooner or later the image will be at risk.

This is another reason many fine art photographers "hinge the image on the backboard, so it is easily removed.

A.J.R. Loc: Devon, UK

It does depend so much on the photograph, but I think you can't go far wrong with a thin black frame, Works especially well when framing black & white.

Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA

David Kay wrote:

Question for you as I am confused. You said wood gases out. What do you mean? I have never heard of this and wonder where you found that information. Also, how would taping the rabbit, control it? The mat for the photo is against the wood in the rabbit.

Thanks for your help.

Wood frames can, over time, leech out acids which can potentially damage artwork. With very expensive art or historically important documents, avoiding this is important. Archival framing practice would be to use an archival metallic tape to line the frame's rabbit in order to prevent the wood frame and the art and matting from coming into contact with each other. Of course this is meaningless unless you are also using all archival quality materials (mats, backing, etc.) for the rest of the framing.

In most cases, these archival practices, although considered "best practice", are not necessary for those framing their own images for home display.

David Kay Loc: Arlington Heights IL

photocat wrote:

I was taught that many years ago, but here are a ... (show quote)

Thanks Photocat, that was quite helpful. Appreciate the links too.