I am dealing with many more photographers now than I ever have and I am on a quest to convert all photographers from the "refrigerator" white mats with black frames to a combination of grey mats with some kind of dark grey frame.
For example, a combination of Artique A4840 Gulf over an Artique A4814 Jetty looks so much better and is so much easier on the viewing eyes than a stark white. I always show with these mats or similar grey combinations either a Pewter or an Iron frame of appropriate size in the LJ Ferrosa line. These frames have a very cool hammered look to them and are also very good compliments to a B/W photo.
And you have the option of upselling some nice fillets to accompany these mats with the Ferrosa line of moulding. I only have one photographer that is adamant about sticking with double stark white mats and a flat profile matte black frame.
(I am still working on him, though.)
The next time you get a chance, lay out some grey combinations on a B/W photo and play around with different combinations of grey's. Try some profile of the Ferrosa line with matching fillet and see how much cleaner and easier to look at the photo becomes. Compare it with a stark white mat/black frame combination and see if the photo doesn't have a softer viewing capacity.
Framerguy
Edit:
If Pete would shake the moths out of his wallet, I could set him up with his girlfriend in such an enjoyable manner that he would thank me forever!

Just kiddin' with ya, Pete. I know that we are expensive but there are some of us who actually give the customer a really good finished package for the money spent. Just shop around in your area and look at the quality of work done in the frameshops around you. You can judge for yourself who is doing top quality work.
BTW, I was born and raised in Rockville, PA and spent many enjoyable Saturday evenings in Nazareth watching a young dirt track rookie by the name of Mario Andretti tear up the track in his old Henry J stock car. Now, ......... question is, do you know where Rockville is located??
[ 02-19-2004, 11:41 AM: Message edited by: Framerguy ]