Finding the right picture
Art is an experience.
Fine art photography belongs on a wall – For every wall, there is a picture that is just right.
Finding the right one, in the right size and framed just right, makes all the difference in the world.
Maybe you are in two minds about just WHICH wall you want to hang a picture on?
To enable you to decide on which of my pictures are just right for you, you can send me the following:
- Photos of all the walls you consider for one or more of my pictures.
- Measurements for at least one item (preferably rectangular) on each wall.
I will then be able to simulate how the various pictures will look on these walls, in different sizes.
For a typical wall, I will simulate the following:
- Longest dimension of picture ranging from 40 to 150 cm.
- Traditional framing with matted picture in wooden frame.
- Frameless mounting – representing canvas, acrylic, aluminium, etc.
For wall art I will simulate 5 pieces in the 4 standard sizes.
For tiled walls or wallpaper, I cover the requested area with the picture. Any requested tile gap for tiled walls will be simulated.
In reality, there is no limit to how big I can make a picture – Using tiled walls or wallpaper, the sky is the limit.
Here is a comparison between a simulated wall and the end result. I simulated 3 different pictures for 2 different walls, and it helped my customer select the picture “3 Little Rocks” in a size of 40 x 60 cm, as shown here.
The picture ended up on the wall to the right in the simulation, but it illustrates how close in size and appearance the simulation gets. I have not compensated for the ambient lighting, so the simulated picture appears brighter and whiter than what it looks like in real life.
Production of an edition of “3 Little Rocks”
The picture got printed by Bjarte Hoff (who assists me with this assembly), on 350 g Hahnemühle Museum Etching. This is a structured, non-glossy paper I find well suited for presenting landscape photography.
It is important to let the print rest for a period of time before mounting it. Hanging it for a week ensures that any outgassing from the ink has evaporated. If the print is mounted too soon, these gases will stain the glass.
The customer opted for bying the picture as a 60 x 40 cm matted print in protective plastic bag, and got it framed locally.
To ensure no bending, puncturing or other damage to the picture in transit, I use multi-layered cardboard, for a total
package thickness of over 2 inches (see picture below).
Paper, window mat, mounting mat and all other mounting material is acid-free, to make sure there is no yellowing over time.
It is important that the picture is allowed to move independently of the matting, since different materials can and will react different to changes in humidity, etc.
By using T-hinges (2 for this size picture), the picture hangs freely without any risk of stretching (should the mounting mat eg. warp at any point). Using water activated hinging tape for these hinges makes the the mounting reversable – the hinges can be removed, and the picture re-matted.
By using mounting corners for the two lower corners, the picture will not drop in the unlikely event that any of the T-hinges should fail. The picture is not attached to these corners, just slipped into them.
The process from print to experience:
- Pick a clean work surface of suffient size. A fresh layer of paper on a table is convenient.
- Add product label to back of mounting mat.
- Hinge the window mat to the mounting mat using linen hinging tape.
- Position the picture in the opening of the window mat. Keep it in place using e.g. clean glasses.
- Hinge the picture to the mounting mat with T-hinges.
- Secure the lower corners with plastic mounting corners.
- Sign the picture and add edition number and title, in the picture margin and/or on the matting.
- Seal the picture in a plastic bag.
- Package and ship.
- The customer experiences the picture.
