Selecting The Best Picture Frames
For Your Treasured Photos
Table of Contents
Pictures as Words
History of Photography
Selecting the Right Picture Frame
Tips for Buying The Right Frame For Your Photo
Memorabilia
Collage Picture Frames
Magnetic
Digital Picture Frames
Making The Most of Your Picture Frames
Selecting The Right Styles
Pictures as Words
They say a picture is worth a thousands words. Actually, the true Chinese proverb translates as “a picture's meaning can express ten thousand words.” Most people interpret this to mean a picture and the words one uses to express it combine to produce harmony of mind and spirit. That may seem a bit strange, but think about it. When you look at a picture that is well framed and displayed, a thousand different thoughts and feelings come to mind. You can interpret these easily and translate them into thousands of different words.
Some photos make us feel “happy” and others “sad.” Some photos bring about nostalgia while others may make us angry. Pictures are a history and record of our lives, emotions and feelings.
For many, a picture is worth its weight in gold and then some. There are many ways to display your favorite photographs. Perhaps the most well known and most recognized is the picture frame. Picture frames provide you with a convenient, easy and elegant way to display your treasured gems to all the loved ones around you. Whether you have family photos or photos of favorite vacations or pastimes, you need to select just the right picture frame to display your keepsake.
History of Photography
Before getting into a lengthy conversation about picture framing, you might be curious to know where the first photographs originated. People have been taking pictures for centuries. During ancient times instruments called “camera obscuras” were used to create shadow pictures on walls. While these instruments didn't produce true photographic images, they did provide users with a temporary image of the incumbent.
During the 16 th century "photographers" improved the image by creating a larger hole in the camera and inserting a lens. This allowed more of the image to pass through the hole used to create an image.
The first printed photo didn't emerge until later during the 1800s, when Thomas Wedgwood began creating what he termed sun photographs. He created these "photos" by placing obscure materials on leather he soaked in silver nitrate. Images produced did not last however. Later a gentleman named Henry Fox Talbot created permanent images by soaking paper in silver chloride and then fixing the images with a salt solution. People didn't start using the term photograph until the year 1839. During this time the process of creating photographic images became public knowledge.
Talbot later patented this process referring to it as a calotype. The first box camera however, didn't emerge until 1889. During this time a fellow named George Eastman created a flexible film coated in a nitrate film base. Once the first box camera was created, amateur photographers started snapping photos of people everywhere.
The first photographic films used were not permanent. The cellulose nitrate that created the image deteriorated as time passed. The film was also explosive, making it somewhat of a health hazard for users. During the 1920s, the 35 mm film roll was invented.
Early photographers transferred images onto linen paper. They then coated the paper with a gelatin substance to help it last over time. Later resin coated papers became available helping extend the life of the photograph even more.
Selecting the Right Picture Frame
One picture can say a lot about a person. The way you frame a picture can suggest how much you care. Thus, you want to be sure you select the right picture frame to display your memories. How do you do that? With one of the thousands of different picture frames to chose from right here on this website of course!
How do you know which is best for your particular photograph? When deciding on the right picture frame, you should first consider the kinds of pictures you need framed. Some pictures are better suited to certain frames than others. Here are just a few of the framing choices available:
- Cheap picture frames
- Collage picture frames
- Digital picture frames
- Discount picture frames
- Magnetic picture frames
- Shadow boxes
You can even buy wholesale picture frames if you have dozens of pictures to frame. Why pay full price when you can get your frames online for wholesale prices? Wholesale frames are a good choice for keeping wedding photographs or pictures of your family. You may also buy wholesale picture frames if you plan on giving them to friends and families as gifts.
Some people mistakenly believe that "cheap" or "discount" picture frames translates into bad. This is not the case! While some high quality picture frames are expensive, you can easily find top of the line picture frames inexpensively. "Cheap" picture frames often outlast their more expensive counterparts. Discount frames provide an exceptional means to display hundreds of your favorite photographs without breaking the bank!
Tips for Buying The Right Frame For Your Photo
So how do you know what frame is best for your photos? That depends on many factors. The most important thing to consider is what kinds of photos you plan to display. Some photographs are more casual than others. Wedding photographs for example, often fall into the more "formal" category.
For these photos you'll likely want to get a picture frame more elegant than one you might use to display last year’s vacation photos. Keep this in mind when considering the style frames you select. Let's talk some more about selecting just the right picture frame for your cherished memories.
Memorabilia
Sometimes you need a picture frame for things other than a photograph. For example, you may want to frame an award ribbon you receive, the first dollar made from your home business, a collectors item and more. For this kind of memorabilia, the best picture frame is a shadow box. Shadow box picture frames allow you to show off your treasures in a 3 dimensional format.
You can buy shadow boxes plain and elegant, or you can select shadow boxes with a theme. Shadow boxes also make unique gifts for friends and family members. They are one of the more popular keepsakes that parents give to family members say, for the birth of a baby. Some common uses for shadow boxes include:
- Keepsake wedding invitations
- Wedding corsages or flowers
- Baby's footprints
- Merit badges
- Anniversary keepsakes
- Collector's coins
- Bug collections
- Dried flower collections
- Miniature figurines
- Keepsake baby photos
Shadow box picture frames provide a unique display for gift giving. They also allow you to display treasured collections in a unique and elegant format. If you haven't tried a shadow box picture frame yet, you might consider one for your next favorite photography framing project.
Collage Picture Frames
Collage picture frames usually work best when you have a large selection of photographs you want to display. More often than not collage frames are used to display themed photographs. Let's say for example you want to display the most recent group of pictures from your last vacation to Mexico. You can do so using collages frames.
One of the nicest features of collage picture frames is their diversity. You can select a collage frame with a few cutouts or one with many cutouts for dozens of pictures. A collage frame can be as large or as small as you need it to be. Here are some other examples of good occasions to use collage picture frames:
- Graduations
- Annual vacations
- Family reunions
- Weddings
- Anniversaries
- Baby births
- Birthdays
- Holiday Photographs
- Pet memorial
You can even make a collage for each of your children. Why not document each year of their life until marriage or graduation using a collage picture frame? Scrap booking is popular, but collage picture frames provide an even more unique way to say you care. No matter what your personality or style preferences, you can find a collage to match your personal needs. Collage frames are among the most stylish and elegant. They provide a wonderful way to display photos that take place over a certain period of time.
Most collage frames have several cutouts of varying sizes for multiple pictures. These frames are the best choice for someone looking for a multipurpose frame.
Magnetic
One of the most interesting frames is the magnetic frame. Magnetic frames are the best choice for parents wanting to display their children's artwork or birthdays on the fridge or anywhere else in the house. Most magnetic frames come in multiple sizes. You can post a picture of your partner or family on the filing cabinet at work or anywhere else for that matter using these frames.
Magnetic frames often are cheap picture frames. Don't let that fool you into believing they aren't high quality however. Most manufactures build magnetic frames using sturdy materials including acrylic, metal or wood. They are just as useful and diverse as traditional frames. The only difference is they have a magnet attached to the back so you can take them with you wherever you go!
The refrigerator is the most popular place for displaying magnetic images. Whether you want to show off family photographs or you child's best art, the fridge provides a lot of space to display your handywork. Children love magnetic frames on the fridge.
Digital Picture Frames
If you prefer something more stylistic and elegant, you should select a digital frame. Digital picture frames provide you with a video image of your favorite photo. A digital frame projects your image onto a flat display or screen. While these images don't have a protective covering, they are decorative. Digital frames allow you to share your digital photos with friends and family members that may not have a computer or LCD display.
Digital imaging and photos are literally the wave of the future. More and more people are buying digital cameras. These cameras allow you to snap photos of your favorite moments and download them immediately to your computer. You can even use digital picture frames to rotate a series of photos. It's almost like a modern twist on the traditional collage frame.
One of the best things about digital picture frames is that you can send pictures to loved ones even if they don’t have a computer. A digital picture frame allows the receiver to plug in the frame and receive your pictures. Digital picture frames are more expensive than traditional ones, but are well worth it. They are a novel and unique gift idea for someone you love and want to share your life with.
Making The Most of Your Picture Frames
You don't have to be a professional photographer to set your photos apart from the crowd. There are certain steps you can take to ensure your photos are displayed elegantly and professionally. When picture framing, the first thing you need to do is make sure you have the right picture framing supplies. The more accessories and supplies you have on hand, the more likely you are to frame your pictures right the first time, every time.
If you plan to frame a bunch of pictures over an extended period of time, you'll need to get a stock of supplies started. Here are some of the more common picture supplies you'll need before you start:
- Moldings for your pictures.
- Picture adhesives.
- Picture borders.
- Self-adhesive picture mounting supplies.
- Scissors, razors or other cutting tools.
- Boards to mount your pictures on.
- Clamps to join your frames.
This list of course may change and grow as you add more photos to your collection. Consider setting aside a separate space in the house to keep your photo supplies organized. Then you won't have to search next time you need something in a hurry.
Selecting The Right Styles
When it comes to picture frames, your style choices are endless. Perhaps the biggest decision you need to make is the type of style frame you want to buy for your photographs. There are literally dozens of styles to choose from. Some of the more common include:
- Gold
- Leather
- Wood
- Metal
- Plastic
- Silver
- Stone
- Jeweled
- Engraved
- Antique
- Pewter
- Canvas
This list barely touches the surface of the many styles available today. When selecting the style of picture frame you want, consider the type of picture you plan to place in the frame. A baby picture for example, might look best in a wood, baby themed, engraved or metal frame.
This may vary depending on your personal preferences and on whether the picture is a gift for someone. If you plan to use picture frames as gifts for multiple people, consider selecting several styles instead of one. This will help make each recipient feel their gift is more unique and personalized.
The style picture frame you select may also depend on the sizes of pictures that you have. Here are some of the more common and popular sizes that most frames come in:
This list is not exhaustive however. You can get a picture made in just about any size you want. Thanks to modern technology, you can even scan your photographs and manipulate them using Photoshop or other photography software editing packages.
Here are some selection tips to follow next time you shop for a picture frame:
- Sort all the pictures you have to frame.
- Pick out any duplicate photos and set them aside in a spare storage box. (Unless of course you want to frame duplicate photos as gifts for friends and family members).
- Separate them into categories based on their size.
- Decide if you need to trim or crop any of the photos you have. If you do, make sure you do this before deciding what size frames you need for your pictures.
- Next decide what type of themes you would like to organize your pictures in. For example, separate holiday photos from wedding photos.
- Decide what area of your house you want to display photos in. This will help you decide the best style frame for your photographs.
- Create a list of possible themed frames or styles of frames you might use to display each category of photos.
- Decide what types of picture frames might best display your photographs. For example, you may select metal frames for one set of photos and collage frames to display others.
- Create a list of the number of different size frames you need.
- If interested in collage photo frames, include the number of size cutouts you need to look for in your collage frame.
- Write down any additional supplies you might need to mount your picture frames.
Taking care of each of these steps ahead of time will ensure that you don't forget any last minute supplies. It will also help prevent you from buying the wrong size picture frame. Nothing is more frustrating than buying the wrong picture frame for your photographs.
Photo framing is as exciting if not a more exciting way of displaying your treasured memories than scrap booking. Most people have dozens of photographs stored away in closets or boxes. Why not consider a photo framing party? Revive any old photographs you have, share some treasured memories with a few friends and decorate your house all at the same time.
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