There are quite a few considerations when you start with a show.
For instance:
are you going to try to sell? are you going to frame? how much mat space should each image have? will you offer matted prints as well as framed pieces? how will you protect the matted pieces if you offer them? how will you display the matted pieces?
So if you're intending to offer the prints for sale off the wall then you need to consider:
will people prefer to buy a little something to tuck in a corner of their office, bathroom or study?
or will they prefer to buy something of substance to place over their fireplace or sideboard?
will they prefer to frame the pieces in their own taste?
do you want your pieces framed according to your concept, is the framing part of the presentation?
So now some answers from my perspective:
if you're not going to try to sell, then how you frame is completely up to you.
if you're going to frame then how much money do you have?
mat width goes up with print size but a mat smaller than 2" (~5cm) looks stingy on a 8c12 print and it has to go up to 3.5" for a 12x18.
35mm film has a ratio of 2:3 which does not go with a frame for an 8x10
In the US many discount stores sell frames in standard sizes and they mostly don't go with a ratio of 2:3
archival mat materials are essential, because there's no point in matting if the mat is going to destroy the print
shrink wrapping is expensive in the US so we use clear plastic bags which come with a foldover flap that has glue on it, like an envelope
a well designed bin is essential to sell prints
bigger pieces are much harder to sell littler pieces don't make much of an impression
--
Emily L. Ferguson
mailto:elf@xxxxxxxx
508-563-6822
New England landscapes, wooden boats and races, press photography http://www.vsu.cape.com/~elf/
