Comments on: Dear Generic Frame Manufacturers…….

By: Evan Gearing

Evan Gearing — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 21:32:12 +0000

As Dave said.. Hear hear! It’s like the old hot dog and bun thing… When buying hot dogs, they used to come 10 in a pack and the buns were always 8 in a pack. It seems that industry has learned, so hopefully this industry will!
Evan Gearing´s last blog ..Public Of Tex

By: Josh

Josh — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 06:03:54 +0000

This has actually confused me for a long time. Back in my film days we where taught the rule of thirds and the golden ratio, but when I would print my shots my photo paper came in 5×7, 8×10, 11×14 etc.
Josh´s last blog ..Finally Some Snow

By: Richard Charpentier

Richard Charpentier — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 19:02:29 +0000

Thanks for the comment Mark. Adolfo had mentioned you in his comment as well. Just pulled your site up too, so I’ll have a look around.

By: Mark Rogers

Mark Rogers — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 18:21:45 +0000

Hi Richard, That is exactly why I founded Frame Destination, Inc. We carry all the sizes you mentioned as frame size for unmated and also as mat opening sizes for matted framing. We have over 60 frame sizes and over 80 mat sizes.
Cheers, Mark

By: Adolfo Isassi

Adolfo Isassi — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 12:17:32 +0000

Good post Richard! This has been a torn on my side for years.
I found two sources that have pre-cut mats and frames in 1.5 aspect ratio (native aspect ratio of aspc and 35mm):

- Light Impressions
- Frame Destination

I use these for smaller prints, 11″x17″ and 13″x19″ – anything bigger, usually needs to go to the custom shop.
Adolfo Isassi´s last blog ..Laptop Monitor Calibration…

By: Richard Charpentier

Richard Charpentier — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 22:16:23 +0000

Sometimes I just don’t know about “judges” Dave. Years ago I submitted an amazing image to a wildlife photography contest and got an interesting response.

I took a photo of a Loon only a few feet from my kayak. This loon swam right up to me. One judge’s response…..

I don’t know why you did a monochrome photo and left the bird with “red eye” in it.

Ummm….Not monochrome. Loons are black and white. And they have red eyes.

You just can’t please everyone, so be sure to at least enjoy it yourself!

By: Dave Wilson

Dave Wilson — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 22:00:41 +0000

Rich,

Oddly enough, that’s been my solution too (and, given the price of custom framing, they often work out cheaper than a framed paper print). Last exhibition I had canvases in, however, the judge told me that she didn’t like photography unless it was printed on paper, matted on white and framed in narrow black metal. I guess you can’t please everyone.
Dave Wilson´s last blog ..Silicon Labs Building, Austin, Texas

By: Richard Charpentier

Richard Charpentier — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 21:42:53 +0000

Too funny Jason! My suggestion? Canvas gallery wraps! I’ll print to whatever you specify!

By: Jason

Jason — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 21:07:35 +0000

Far from being alone – the bane of any photographers existence…we tend to want to shoot wider by instinct now because we know we’ll lose some edge detail when we go to print in standard frames…what to do, what do to, woe is us!

Kidding on that last part Rich!

By: Richard Charpentier

Richard Charpentier — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 19:51:36 +0000

I am so glad I’m not alone Dave! I think we should investigate further. I’ve got a feeling that this runs deeper than just keeping mat cutters in business. Where is agent Mulder when you need him?

I print for several local portrait photographers. And they always need 8×10 so they can get a generic frame. And I always show them how horrible the crop will be. The tears well up in their eyes as they say, “But I don’t want to pay for a custom frame…..”

It’s a sad state of affairs!