Window mount sizes query

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Re: Window mount sizes query

Post by vintage frames »

I'm not sure I understand the question. Just by looking at the image, the top border is larger then the rest - or is it my imagination!
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Re: Window mount sizes query

Post by Not your average framer »

I have no knowledge about doing thngs this way. It's not something which I was ever taught. Is there any futher expaination about the principles behind this?
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Re: Window mount sizes query

Post by Steve N »

vintage frames wrote: Thu 23 Sep, 2021 12:20 pm I'm not sure I understand the question. Just by looking at the image, the top border is larger then the rest - or is it my imagination!
vintage frames wrote: Thu 23 Sep, 2021 11:31 am Apologies for bumping this thread up but I wonder if anyone has looked at the image posted and noticed that the top border is wider than the bottom and sides. Given the history and prestige of the gallery, I'm assuming that the positioning was deliberate. So although it would seem wrong in theory, it actually does look quite right.
Well then, it could be how the photo was taken, lens distortion, camera not square to the picture, or the picture has been manipulated......
Any one of the above or a mixture of the above
The whole point of bottom weighted is to make the bottom 'Appear to be the same width as the sides, Not to look different at all,

That my opinion anyway, and I'm sticking to it :giggle: :sweating: :ninja:
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Re: Window mount sizes query

Post by vintage frames »

That's fine, if that's how you visualise it.
If it's not my imagination then I'd still be interested in any other opinions.
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Re: Window mount sizes query

Post by Gesso&Bole »

Looks the same size all round to me . . . .
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Re: Window mount sizes query

Post by vintage frames »

Maybe this is an illusion.
When I enlarge the image, the top border not only still looks wider but measures 1mm larger on the image!!

So is all this just bollocks or is there a case for judicial positioning when framing high value art?
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Re: Window mount sizes query

Post by Gesso&Bole »

I never measure for positioning, I just do it by eye. Sometimes the art looks better not square in the mount. Not a subject for over-thinking in my opinion. If it looks right, it's right.
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Re: Window mount sizes query

Post by vintage frames »

OK, I'll try for my last post on the subject.
I only noticed this image because the framer had decided to reverse the usual set-up where the bottom border is weighted against the other three.
If he had followed the usual convention, then the facial area would have been positioned a bit high up in the frame. So to give more emphasis to that area with it's strong shading, he pulled it back down a bit so that the overall artwork looks more balanced in the frame.
Just one to think about.
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Re: Window mount sizes query

Post by Not your average framer »

I think that Jeremy and I are much the same here. I also work on the basis that if it looks right it is right. Also in my case the amount that I bottom weight mounts is not always necessarily a linear relationship, compared the width of the other sides. Where the centre of interest in an image for the eye and the brain might be is not always in a mathematically obvious place either.

We can easily try to rethink some things too much! Like both Jeremy and I have already said "what looks right is right" and it's also easier that way. Why do we want formulas for somethings which is largely subjective and much more something which is visually discerned. I'm all for keeping these things simple and know what looks right instead.
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Re: Window mount sizes query

Post by fitz »

I find it quite hard to discern whether any border is wider than the other in this image although it does look like the top and bottom are wider than the sides? The question may be “does the framer want you to notice the mount and frame or does the framer want you to only see the artwork’. The perfect framing job occurs when only the art is noticed? Can’t remember who said that……might have been Pete Bingham……
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Re: Window mount sizes query

Post by Not your average framer »

You do develop an eye for this after a while. It's a bit of an experience thing, but it's not something to beat yourself over the head about, it's something that comes very naturally and to any really new framers, I would say don't get too worried about it, it will come and it's easy and instinctive when you've got it. It's not so big intelectual thing, that only a very few can get. We all have an instinct for what look's right, we just need to become used to using it and exercising it in ways that are creative. You will get there!
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Re: Window mount sizes query

Post by prospero »

Just to throw a bit more wood on the fire.....

When you have a print with sigs/numbers on the lower border the image is shoved upwards a bit anyway, unless you
do it with an equal border around the image. I typically do say a 12mm area of 'white' on the top/sides and 20mm at the bottom.
I still weight the mat lower border about 6mm. BUT.... Some prints have an extreme area of signature panel - maybe 50mm+.
Sometimes it's good to have a double mount with a dark reveal to visually tie the image/sigs together.
One print I did a few of years ago had a 12-sig panel extending maybe 70mm and in that case I did equal mat borders top/bottom
and wider side borders. Sometimes you have to think outside the 'rules'. :P
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