Digital BW, The Print

Paul Roark wrote:
> 
> Aesthetically, I have never really liked a white border or 
> mat around the print.  I think it pulls the eye away from the 
> image.  I fully expect the "fine art" types to be horrified 
> by the lack of glass and traditional matting.  But, to me the 
> image just looks better this way.  The most appropriate type 
> of frame -- natural wood, black, or whatever -- and the whole 
> approach is still a work in progress and very subjective, of course.
> But as I sit here looking at a traditional matte under glass 
> photo on the wall to my right and a Semimatte print with no 
> glass on my left, the unglazed Semimatte simply blows away 
> the glazed print due mostly to the lack of reflections. 

That's interesting, Paul. I like the look of framed and matted prints,
provided the choice of materials is restrained. 

And yet, I agree with you that the glass can get in the way visually --
unless the print is properly lit (as for gallery display). For prints
framed with glass, I like the look of low-voltage halogen lighting from
overhead tracks, angled so there's no glare (unless you sit on the floor
& look up). But without proper lighting, reflections can be a big
distraction.

Richard Wolfson