Opinions Wanted Two (2) 4x6 B&W Photos One (1) Frame

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East Side Framing

Grumbler
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Jan 18, 2007
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Metro Detroit
I'm stumped on this one. Customer wanted two (2) 4X6 B&W photos combined in the same frame and wants to display it as the "family portrait". Ok, so I attempted to create a focal point with the photos by going with a larger frame 19X18, a black linen mat 4" reverse bevel, fillet and inner mat (fiori grotto). After dry fitting it I just didn't like what I saw.:vomit: So that being said, what am I doing wrong? Your opinions and design knowledge would be of great help.

Thanks Rob
 

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IMHO, the idea is and colors appear good but the layout is just a little off. I like the frame, mats, & fillets but personally I would have put the photos with equal window centered side by side. Maybe put a little rise/space to the upper mat and float the photos. I would use a 1/2 to 1 inch black center division between the two windows and use the fillet around both windows. Also, I would narrow down the mat some, maybe an inch or so - the mat just appear to me to really be taking over and is the main theme of the project. I believe these changes would give it a more balanced look and draw your eyes more to the photos than just the heavy mat. Just my two cents.
 
Thanks Joe for the two cents! I did think about some of the items you hit on. Regarding the photo windows, I off set them because when I lined them up it just appeared to me that it looked like it was once a full group photo just cut in half. Thanks again!
 
I like your choice of materials too, but same as Joe, the layoff bugs me. By putting those two photos at an angle, you create too much dead space.

I just did a similar project with two school photos. I put the photos side by side, with about 1.5 inches between them, and 2.5 to 3 inches outside border. There was a fillet directly around each photo, then a double mat. Equally good would have been a single mat around the photos, maybe with a one inch outside border, then a fillet that went around both photos, then a second mat.
 
Why not ask the customer?

East Side Framing said:
After dry fitting it I just didn't like what I saw.:vomit: So that being said, what am I doing wrong? Your opinions and design knowledge would be of great help.

Thanks Rob
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Rob,

I like the black mat and the fillet/frame combination. My question is why did you not ask the customer about the layout ahead of time to get a feel for what they like? Or, did the customer just leave it completely up to you? I would probably have guided the customer towards a side-by-side layout and have shown them an example of multiple window mat cutout to test the water, so to speak.

Whatever I like, may not be what the customer likes. But, if I guide them along and watch their body language for approval, they will have a good pre-visualization in their mind of the finished product before they leave the counter. Finally, the beauty of the actual piece usually blows them away. Their reaction is extremely important to me. If necessary, I whip out the pre-visualization software.

Summary: find out what the customer wants and explain the best you can before they signoff. If they like vomit, it will be their vomit. This way you always CYA.

Ernesto
 
Hi Ernesto, I have done several items for this customer in the past. She has always just droped off the items and let me do what I do. I always email her an image of the final design. In this case it's not doing anything for my eye so I'll have to re-work it before I send it to Her. Thanks!
 
The design "outscales" the art making the framing too important.
Juxtaposing the silver frame with a black (dark gray, can't tell from pix) creates visual tension in the perimeter, drawing the eye outward from the photos (chiarascuro). The photos just don't have enough presence to hold their own in such a dynamic presentation.
I believe the elements of the design are well chosen but the proportional use is off.
If you have visualizatiuon software, you could try switching the inner and outer mats.
 
I would do a side by side, two opening with fillets. I do like the color combination, but would make the mat borders a bit narrower.
For one customer I did a lay out with two photos top/bottom instead of side by side. (it needed to go on a very narrow wall). It looked surprisingly good!
 
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