Digital BW, The Print

Greetings Digital Printmakers!  (this is a cross posted note on two forums)

OK, the forums are sleepy now...so it is time to spring another philosophical discussion on the boards....Ready?

BACKGROUND:  
I recently scanned through some magazines and websites for galleries etc..and low and behold...I saw lots of sloppiness.  More specifically, the "sloppy border" look.  

POINT OF VIEW: 
Taking a "stance" here for esthetics (which is a personal choice) I think the "trendy" "arty" looking "sloppy borders" look is...in a word....ridiculous (anyone feeling offended?)

I mean if you take a look around you will see it everywhere.  In many cases I just don't see the justification.  And with "digital" images and "digital edges" available, it just seems ludicrous (getting anybody's goat yet?).  

Just the other day I looked at a web site for professioal photographers.  This site displays and prints images for pros who then sell them to the brides and others.  The site offers a "sloppy border" look for "art proofs" that are from scanned 35mm film or digital files.  

QUESTION #1: 
What is the sense of this?  Is it so important to show that the "full frame" was used? Come on!

QUESTION # 2:
Do any of you suspect or know that you are better able to "sell" a Sloppy Border print because it has that sloppy look?  Perhaps the sloppy border look "sells" better?  If so please elaborate.  

I suspect that the desire to have the "look" of full frame..."just like those pros use with big contact prints" is what is driving this.  What gets me is that in many cases the "effect" is so noticeable that it encroaches on the image to a point where the image would probably not make it on its own...without the "effect."  

To this curmudgeon, the "big glass plate looking fake border" looks...like a cheap pastiche. 

What do you folks think about the Sloppy Borders Full Frame Effect? 

Steadman

P.S. Hope this did not offend anyone.  Just meant to stir up some opinions both for and against. 




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