Framing preference

[jenn]

Hi all,

So I need to frame some images for a show at the end of June. This is where I always get stuck! I am used to the typical rectangular black frame, white mat, etc. But lately I get a little bored with it and so I look into framing a square image in a rectangular frame and so on. Anyway, these images will be rectangular, and I am considering putting them in a square frame (almost like looking at them in a square book or something). Most images will be in landscape orientation, but there will be a couple vertical images. But I want to know what people think to help me decide!

Here are some images:
standard black rectangular frame:


Rectangular image in square frame (black)


Rectangular image in square frame (white)


Vertical rectangular image in a square frame to show you how the vertical images would look inside this frame:



Any thoughts?!?!?

[Lorraine]

I always look for a balanced composition, the first is almost the best for me, but I would prefer to see more white space before the image. : )

[Kelly]

I like the second frame - it really draws the eye to the image and is not as conventional as the first.

[MaryBeth Dailey]

second one

[Steve Hollingsworth]

Each frame is good depends on the image I think

[paula goff]

i like the second one too! good luck!

[Sabrina G]

I agree with Steve that it would probably depend on the image, but in general I think the 2nd option is more appealing for display at an exposition. Not to mention the vertical photos would have the -exact- frame as the horizontal ones, thus more uniformity.

[m9f9l]

I like the square frames.

[Michelle]

I really like the square frame on the vertical picture.

[Sharon Lee]

I like number two also… but I hate the square frame on the last image.

[Kendra]

I think I am the only one like likes #1 :)

[jenn]

@lorraineb @kellc @espyetta @steveh @piratemuffin @paulaag @m9f9l @mstipe @sugarmuser @kendra84

thanks all! it is even more hard to decide. i love the square, but also am not crazy how the vertical images look in the square frame (e.g., the last one) and there will be at least one or 2 of those. hmmmm....!

[paula goff]

@jennverr , i agree with you. #4 doesn't work as well as 2. Maybe it's because of the colors?

[🍁April 🍁]

I like #1...Could be because I use to frame artwork and images and I like even balance. You could also have even amount of space around the top and sides and drop the bottom by a 1/2 of inch if you choose to use #1.
You could also use a white mat with a black core or double mat it to give it depth. #2 is good too.

[Kelly]

I think it is the size of the white mat in the last one - the white mat needs to be larger - but then that might not work as you might want uniform frame sizes??

[jenn]

@kellc yes I agree, I think it is something with having less mat on the top and bottom of the vertical image, but then yes it would change the uniformity of all the frames being the same if i changed that particular mat size. so confusing. i was looking at #1 again.... with just more mat space around it. it doesn't look too bad either. for example:

[Kathryn Marshall]

I like Jenn's idea the best.

[Kathy A]

I like the ones @jennverr contributed best.

[Ruth Greene]

@jennverr Her suggestion is aesthetically pleasing to both images.

[Mags ッ]

I like the first too :)

[Kathrin]

I printed my Photos on canvans for a show :)