Print presentation

[gordon g]

There are 2 parts to this query. Firstly, as part of a photography course I have to put togther a selection of 10 prints for presentation. Secondly and more generally, I have been thinking of the best way to present prints for exhibiting for sale. Likely venues are local tea rooms and art/craft fairs. Previously I have produced prints on a 1:1 basis, with the size/format etc being part of the discussion.
The selection I have made is mostly landscapes, to fit with the main subject of the course, with a mix of big views and more intimate detailed shots and a coupe of macros, and the subjects fit together thematically. For the course, I have printed them at 18" by 12", or 12" square with a 1/2" border on hahnemuhle bamboo paper. This works well for the chosen images, but there seems to be at present a fashion for big borders.
I'm a little undecided about this - is a big border more appealing to a purchasing public, and if so, even borders or in the same proportions as the image? Mounted or not? What size for commercial exhibitions? (I have thought closer to A4 might be better here - the big prints look great, but when framed up they would take up a lot of wall).
I realise there isnt really a 'correct' answer to this, but I'd be interested to hear others' approaches and ideas.

[andy153]

Hi Gordon - I seem to remember that if one presented a panel of thematic prints say to the Royal Photographic Society for an LRPS or ARPS, one of the things they insisted on was that the mounts were all identical - in my day 16" x 20" - the photographs on those mounts could vary but it was recommended they all be printed on the same size paper - say 18"x12" and if square - leave the white or black paper border on. If I am mounting and framing I usually use A3 size paper and frame. I create the border in photoshop as Black or White with a 5 pixel line separating the photo from the border. Occasionally I use a pale pastel colour instead of white - dependent on photo content. Does this help? It is a very personal choice.

[gordon g]

Thanks Andy, that's very helpful. I havent put a border around the prints, just left unprinted paper. This has a pleasant warm white tone though, and is slightly textured, so it performs the same function, I think. It's useful to know about the standard mount sizes throughout the presentation.

Having recently tried my first entry to what I thought was an amateur exhibition for Amnesty (art generally, including a minority of photography) but found it mainly professional bin-emptying, I can tell you both what I did do (on Andy's signature theme) and what I should have done.

Correct orthodox & possibly what I will do for next local club comp:

mount without further bordering or even necessarily chamfer in pale cream mount around 50mm over size for A3ish, slightly bigger margin at foot. 40cmx50cm still current at local club, which means A3 really maximum.

What I did and will continue to do for home and friends:

Mounted onto 16mm board with the edge of the photograph folded down over the edges of the mounting board. A3+ - looks stunning on white background from 40ft away

The latter is not practical nor probably within rules for most places, but am convinced it is good for photos to be photos, not pretending or aspiring to be substitute paintings. Will be working on more practical compromise, but thought you might be interested in a clarification of what I think the issue is.

For selling, cute trick is to provide mounted as above in cellulose wrap in rummage canvas-on-folding-frame for folks to frame themselves

PS hope you will be coming to proposed Marbury meet on 14th June and perhaps we can bring a few examples?

[gordon g]

Thanks Chris - good suggestions. I like the sound of your board mounts, but as you say, probably not practical for exhibiting. At the moment I am favouring no mount at all, just the heavy fine art paper, which is quite stiff, with a margin round the print.
I probably wont get to Marbury, which is a shame, as I will be in Northumberland all the following week on a photography trip. I think I would be pushing my luck too far to get out on the saturday too!