How to Mat Your Photos

[@trose7979]

sir , i just want to say thank you so much , it is 9pm right now and there is a blizzard outside and i have a presentation at 11am tomorrow , i barely remember how to mat as my professor taught me weeks ago but i was having a very rough day. you helped me out so much. thank you thank you thank you sir , you are a blessing

[@carlhale5405]

Still a relevant instruction in 2024. Thank you. ❤

[@sisforsharp]

Thanks to Laura Sergeant and Prof. Agar for this great set of videos. As someone who hasn't been in a darkroom in a couple of decades, this series has been an invaluable refresher. Excellent work.

[@Trangent]

Thank you very much for your kind words S Is For Sharp!! We enjoy making these videos and are thrilled to hear that you and many others find them so helpful!!! Good luck to you! :)

[@prestond]

This guy was born to teach! Great video.

[@Trangent]

Thanks-glad you like our videos!! Good luck to you!!

[@borzica]

On behalf of KZbin thank you so much for your videos. You are an awesome teacher! And an awesome presence on cyber space.

[@Trangent]

Thank you!!!!!

[@darleencope6883]

Thank you Laura Sargent and Professor Agar for these invaluable videos. I love processing my own film and making my own prints, but it's been years since I've done so. These videos have rekindled my desire to get back into the world of film photography. Now if only I could find a studio and darkroom to use. Guess I'll be checking out my local Community College this Fall.

[@Trangent]

Darleen Cope A community college is a great place to start! The professor's assignments will inspire and motivate you to be very creative, especially since you already love traditional photography. Depending on the college, you can probably use the darkroom even after you graduate. Thanks for watching--good luck to you Darleen!!

[@Trangent]

+Darleen Cope Hi Darleen :) How is your film photography coming along? Hope you were able to take a community college class and be even more inspired!

[@peterv4270]

World class teacher. Great lesson. Thanks a million.

[@Trangent]

Thank you for your kind words Peter!! We are delighted our video helps you! :) Have you seen any of our newer videos? We're having a contest and encourage you to enter: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f4HFhGqBZbygnNk, kzbin.info/www/bejne/h6vcl5qwZdOfZrM, and kzbin.info/www/bejne/nomtiniod5dljLs. Hurry-entries are due soon: Nov. 30. This is a perfect time to try out something new or enter something you've shot during the quarantine! Good luck!! -L

[@skyfrostthunderrock]

this series was really helpful. took photo some years ago at college.. getting ready for an art show, and this is just the refresher i needed. thanks for sharing! xx

[@Trangent]

Thanks for your kind words Sky Frost! Hope your show was terrific!!! Hope you have many more! :))

[@expertvillageidiot]

Thanks for these videos Prof Agar and Laura. I am doing a part-time 8 week course (2hours per week) B&W course and these videos are a very useful tool for helping me remember and also prepare me each week!

[@Trangent]

Thank you Jeff! Glad to hear how the videos are helpful to you. We wish you great success with your photography course!! :)

[@expertvillageidiot]

Trangent Do you know what is the model that the Prof uses for his mat cutter? Is it the alto ez mat cutter?

[@Trangent]

Yes--it is AWESOME to use!! It leaves a perfect edge and is very easy to use! I've used different cutters and I prefer this one :)

[@Trangent]

Jeff Haynes 4501 Mat Cutting System www.altosezmat.com/

[@expertvillageidiot]

Fantastic! I wonder if they ship to the UK :-)

[@jasonhorejs208]

Great tutorials, well done. I have now been inspired! Thanks!

[@Trangent]

Thank you Jason!!! Good luck to you!

[@markharris5771]

Has anyone ever failed any of his classes? He must have his students attention from the beginning to the end of each class. I can imagine he’s also the first teacher students often turn to for help in their daily lives.

[@Trangent]

Awwwe!! Thank you Mark!! We are all blushing on this end!! Thank you so much for your kind words. Good luck to you in your photography!!

[@johnblunt1834]

Well. He made that look easy didn't he!! Very enjoyable.

[@Trangent]

Thank you John!! Glad you liked our video! Hope you are getting lots of matting and other photo-related things done during this virus quarantine time!! Good luck to you!

[@johnblunt1834]

I'm trying to. Thanks for the nice reply. John 66yrs UK.

[@Trangent]

@@johnblunt1834 Awesome! :)

[@amosk24]

Yes, been waiting for more of these!!

[@Trangent]

amosk24 Thanks for hanging in there!! Another one coming hopefully very soon about Aperture and Shutter Settings and Aesthetics (or something...). You are the first to know!!

[@ianlaker9161]

I don't use the sticky corners. Just more of the archival tape as 't' hinges, First two strips vertically behind the image protruding at the top of the print and then two strips horizontally to secure the vertical tapes to the backing matt board. To my knowledge that's how professional framers would do it.

[@Trangent]

That's a great way to do it. He has taught his students that method as well. I use linen archival tape when I mat photos. Thanks for watching our videos and contributing good information! Good luck to you :)

[@fanjan7527]

Would love to see Prof. Will Agar chatting about some other aspects of photography, film or digital. Though, I'd prefer film base as I am slightly bias :-)

[@Trangent]

+Fanjan Combrink What would you like to see?? We aim to please :))

[@mapjon]

He is really is great... more videos! ( :

[@ihbihvbpb1ppbv]

Great information, well presented, thanks.

[@Trangent]

Neil Macdonald Thanks, Neil!! Glad you liked it!

[@katarinakositzki9225]

I love these videos & I'd love to have a photography tutor like this - I've learnt things more effectively from these videos than from some of my photography professors in real life. I keep missing names of the equipment he's using though - what's the name of the cutting measurement thing he uses, and would it be possible to publish a list of the equipment he's used in the video description? Awesome videos though, thanks for the inspirational info!

[@Trangent]

That's a great suggestion Katarina!! Thank you!! Do you mean the mat cutter? If you do, it is an Alto-EZ brand. Very amazing and precise piece of equipment. Unfortunately, they are no longer in business after many years. You can buy them used on eBay, etc. I Googled the brand and I got results for a different one. I don't know how they compare, but the Alto's mat cutter was perfect!!

[@BlueSquid1001]

Love this guy. when's the next one coming?

[@Trangent]

Phil Hodges Hi Phil--Thanks for watching!! Just putting the finishing touches on the next one... It will be up tonight or tomorrow :)

[@Trangent]

A new one for you -- Aperture and Shutter Settings: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eILccnqhodukgNk :)

[@whoshotthephotographer7006]

Thanks so much, found this super useful!

[@Trangent]

:)) Thank you!! Glad you enjoyed the video! Best of luck to you!

[@kaushikbiswas28]

Thank you, for the video. This is really helpful. Is there a video on how to frame?

[@Trangent]

Professor Agar says, "I take a rudimentary approach through the use of simple frame kits sold widely from different sources. It is really just a matter of assembling: frame kit, glass, photo matted or dry mounted." Best of luck to you!!

[@kaushikbiswas28]

@@Trangent Thank you Professor 😊

[@Trangent]

@@kaushikbiswas28 I will add Framing to the video wish list :) -L

[@lpaltageek]

I am 79 and have some craft things I want to frame. I purchased a Logan 4000 pull bevel mat cutter. No matter how hard I press I cannot cut through the last layer of paper (4 ply uncut mat board). I don't see 2 ply in my go to craft stores. Is there card stock heavy enough to use as an alternative to the 4 ply mat board? Thank you for looking...Lucie

[@Trangent]

Here's what the Professor said: "2 ply mat board is a little thin but can be found if you Google it-Amazon for example has it at a reasonable cost. 4 ply looks better than 2 ply which looks too thin in my opinion. Consider a local frame shop who can cut a mat with a senior discount for around $5.00. Consider a bribe of oatmeal raisin cookies. This would be good for one or two images but if you are doing a show I bet there is a splendid young man or woman at the local art school who might put the blade for you once you train them." Good luck Lucie!! Thanks for watching!!

[@photozen8398]

Though late to the video, is there any visual appearance to the over cut? like if some one looks closer would they still see it? if so what is the remedy?

[@Trangent]

Late to replying to your comment, Professor Agar says, "Use of a burnisher would help flatten and hide the over-cut. Hopefully the over-cut does not run halfway across the mat!" Thanks for watching PhotoZen :) Hope you've perfected matting your photos!! L

[@TRAVISxAARON]

love these videos! what is the name of the mat cutter that he is using??

[@Trangent]

TRAVISxAARON Thanks, Travis!! He uses the Alto EZ 4501 Mat Cutting System www.altosezmat.com/. It is an AWESOME mat cutter--practically goof proof!! Good luck to you :)

[@tamiam1999]

What was the backing material used for the matted sandwich?

[@Trangent]

Tammy Walla Professor Agar generally uses the same type of mat board (usually 4-ply) for the front and the back of the "sandwich." :)

[@trishgunther]

After looking online, I see that mat cutter is no longer available. Do you have any other recommendations?

[@Trangent]

That is too bad!!! Love the 4501! You can get used Alto's EZ mat cutters on eBay. A name I've seen pop up with good reviews is Logan, although neither of us have tried it. They have a few different models and you can get one of those on Amazon, B&H Photo, Dick Blick... I hope you find something you like. Good luck to you! :)

[@drakemallard150]

Talking about traditional darkroom techniques: I've been trying to figure out how the white writing you often see *on* all kinds of old prints was done. I think it is an interesting way to caption prints but it seems all but died out?! Would love to hear back on this from anyone! Cheers

[@photozen8398]

Thank you for the video, just I felt those board pins pinning the gorgeous image to the wall putting in it 4 holes kinda tacky, but I understand it is a presentation and am sure a one of a kind image is treated with more courtesy.

[@Trangent]

Yes PhotoZen-one of a kinds do not suffer the same fate. Thank you for your concern and your kind words about the image :)) Best of luck to you!!

[@tamiam1999]

never mind I got it. doyou always use mat board as your backing?

[@Trangent]

Tammy Walla Hi Tammy--you don't have to use mat board, but it's best to use a material that won't deteriorate and is acid-free. The best type of mat board to use is 100% cotton rag board, available in 2, 4, and 8 ply. It is acid free and often lignin free, archival, fade and bleed resistant (and pricey). A good brand is Crescent or Bainbridge. Another type that is acid free is alpha cellulose mat board and is slightly less expensive. An alternative is to use a wood pulp mat board--inexpensive, but not acid free. Non-archival material will yellow with age and fox (get rusty stains). I've used different types and colors, but I really prefer the look of white or black cotton rag. Good luck to you!!!

[@chadashton7029]

Trangent Can you use the cheaper stuff for the backing and the nicer stuff for the window since that's what is going to be seen? Will that cause bad things to happen to the picture?

[@Trangent]

Chad Ashton Hi Chad :) It would be okay to do that, but it might depend on what you want to do with your work. Are you going to sell it? Then you should use high quality mat board. Are you going to show your work? Then it doesn't matter as much, especially if the mat is temporary. A lower quality mat board could last five years, but over time it discolors the photo or artwork, even if the cheaper mat is only on the back. Hope this helps :) Thanks for watching!!

[@chadashton7029]

Trangent Thanks and that does help. Eventually I'd like to be at a point where I'm good enough to think about selling and even showing but anything even now that I print I want it to last a very long time so I guess it would pay to go ahead and get the nicer mat even for the backing. Thanks.

[@Trangent]

Chad Ashton :) I think you should treat your work like you are the artist you want to be!! You'll be glad you did, and you will be proud to look back at your work and see how much you care about what you do and how good you really were. I think you will create amazing things!!

[@JudiChristopher]

... at 2:43 .... "A lovely Pencil... with a dull blade." ...??? .... I don't think I have one of those!! ;)

[@Trangent]

:) Thanks Judi! Glad you like the videos!!

[@notthere83]

More spacing at the bottom... this reminds me of FroKnowsPhoto (who at least IMO doesn't actually know photo...) asking one guy why the matte isn't perfectly centered in a quite combative tone of voice. ;)

[@Trangent]

Well now we all know :)) There is such a difference in that little extra amount at the bottom! Without it, the matted photo just looks off. Thanks for watching!!

[@Maxime-ho9iv]

Let's position the picture precisely where we want. Yes, right, right there. Perfect. "Nirvana". And now, we need to open the mat and secure the picture in this perfect place. So let's use those sticky corners, they are great. So next step is to grab the picture out of its perfect position, put those sticky corners on, and let's put the picture back randomly on the mat. That's ok, the picture remembers where she needs to be. Yeah, right. Perfect.

[@Trangent]

It might not be easy the first few times, but the more you do it, the easier it becomes. Hope you have great results matting your photos! Thanks for watching Maxime :)

[@kzed0]

Otherworldly whispering at 10:51. *spooky*

[@Trangent]

+kzed0 Lol!! You are very imaginative and have great hearing!!! It was probably ancient photography masters bestowing well wishes of photographic genius upon those who watch... :))

[@FUBAR956]

EVP.... I listened to it three times trying to figure what it was saying.

[@Trangent]

:)) Now you've got me curious! I'll have to go back to the original footage-if I can-to figure out what it was! Thanks for watching (and listening) Nathan!!

[@notthere83]

Sounds kind of like "See me"

[@Trangent]

Yes it does!! Good deciphering skills! I still haven't gone back to the original footage to figure that out :) It might not even be words-maybe it's the mat board sliding on the table. But that's not as interesting! ;)) Thanks for watching!!

[@wildyala3143]

🖤🖤🖤🇱🇰

[@fotosaurier35]

10:46 :-)

[@Trangent]

Were you talking about the ominous whisper? lol :))