How I'm Turning my Photography in to Works of Art

[@1958zed]

Great video. It took me back to my days of working in a frame shop framing art way back in 1994/1995. It was perhaps one of the most fun and interesting jobs I had, as every piece that walked through the door was a different challenge. We would typically dry mount the image to a backing board (if the process didn't ever have to be reversed), and then put a mat over it. Two suggestions: 1. At 9:40 in the video, you taped down all four sides of the image to the back of the mat. When you do that, you aren't allowing the print to expand or contract with changes in temperature and humidity, and it can buckle showing slight waves in the paper. It's best to simply tape the image down only at the top and let it hang freely within the mat's window, that way it can expand and contract without buckling. 2. I know these were inexpensive projects and it's not readily apparent to me, but you may want to use archival mounting tape to mount the print to the mat. The adhesive on non-archival tape could damage the print over time.

[@MurrayLivingston]

Noticed the same things when I was watching; I would also suggest people take these steps. Also printing the images with a generous white border (he had heaps of space left on that a3 sheet) helps with keeping the prints flat in the mounts, as well as not having to crop in to the image. You then also have the option to leave a white border around the image before the mount. I didn't include any of this in my original comment because as you say its more of a fun inexpensive project, but no harm in doing things to the best quality whenever possible.

[@kathyjurgens7153]

These are very helpful suggestions to those of us who might like to try this with our own prints. thank you : )

[@PMcDonnell]

For anyone not yet confident with their mount/matt cutting I'd suggest they make the print first then cut the matt overlay to fit.

[@MrMonikerjay]

Right. I learned when doing my own show and printing, mounting and framing them all myself because one, I wanted to learn, and two, I wanted to make it as "handmade" and authentic as possible. I would make a hinge at the top of the matting then apply tape to the underside of the print and fasten with a piece across those pieces forming a "T" shape. Then closing the mat over the print and fastening the corners with adhesive tape gun. All kinds of ways to do it but this one looked best to me.

[@wpotrebkaphotography]

A tip for frameless prints. Print it with a small white border, cut the foam board oversized. Then trim the print and the foam board at the same time, after you have stuck the print to the board.

[@amalieemmynoether992]

Good tip!

[@juanQuedo]

Glad to see someone doing it the right way 😆

[@garyverstick1620]

Was going to say the same. One add-on - use an xacto knife to trim. Its essentially a scalpel, so be careful.

[@HarneyPhoto]

Best way to make sure its a perfect edge.

[@_thomaslemke_]

I would do it the same. Print the picture with bleed and cutting marks. Trim it. Cut it. BAM!

[@tbillington]

I really like the offset mat idea

[@BalnarringMusos]

What a great idea and how to make it all work and sell. Well done Thomas.

[@Jeff-jg7jh]

I am inspired. I know that my immediate family loves my photos. I like theirs's too.

[@mattnaylor5994]

Really good stuff Thomas

[@INSOLESandLACES]

On form with this video Thomas.

[@MurrayLivingston]

Hey Tom: on your mount cutter, theres a line/indent on the opposite side to the blade which you line up at your beginning and end points. Hope that helps! Murray

[@droeder2836]

I was going to say the same thing

[@Mark-qn9xl]

You beat me to it. I use the same cutter

[@havocproltd]

@@droeder2836 I did!

[@philippr8600]

Great ideas, thanks for sharing!

[@koenpijpersphotography]

Who needs diamond earrings 🤣!! Great content Thomas, really interesting!

[@samdensleyphotography]

You’ve got some KZbin content range Tom! Love these little gems along the way!

[@themisfire1]

SUCH A GREAT VIDEO!

[@kathyjurgens7153]

Really enjoyed this change of pace segment. Especially love the charming little thumbnail on the easel. Love the idea of creating these as holiday gifts. I've a few suitable thumbnail type photos in my own files. If I can't find ready-made easels, I'll bet I can make some with popsicle sticks. : )

[@axlent123]

I have been interested in doing microprints, when I decide to do a miniature diorama of a house..say, a living room or whatever.. your small picture reminded me of that.. although my microprints would be, maybe an 8th of that.. so the images would be super small..

[@emanuelschimpfossl5919]

Amazing video! A nice breath of fresh air :)

[@swirly_magnolia]

Thanks Tom. Very useful little video. Foam board ordered let’s give it a bash

[@kbruff2010]

Cool stuff ---

[@christianwetzel1862]

That was fun! Great ideas.

[@jurgiebaby]

Hey Tom, another great video, really enjoyed watching this would you be able to tell me what paper trimmer \ guillotine you use pleasse as I am looking to purchase one, many thanks and keep the great video's coming

[@henrywilliam8506]

Have you considered using your infrared camera on astrophotography? The results may surprise you (in a good way.)

[@idophotography4611]

😍 Love your videos Thomas

[@berniepat1]

Great video but to avoid the messy edges on the foam centre board you need to make sure your blades are really sharp, just my observation from working in the print presentation industry for 30 years.

[@chrisogrady28]

I really love float framing, but this isn't a safe way to do it, especially if you go bigger. As you need spacers to go around the edges under the glazing, otherwise you're applying a bending force to the glazing. With perspex that means it'll just bend and smush the corners of your print, and with glass that could smash it. I've soent ages trying to find good quality spacers and it's very annoying and difficult. Also, really you don't want the print touching the glazing (especially if it's plastic), so you need spacers that are slightly thicker than your foamboard to give the air gap, that's a truly 'floating' print.

[@jcarol87]

Very inspiring to start mounting my own prints. Currently I buy them pre-mounted so will have a look at having a go of it myself. What brand print cutter do you recommend ? I will be sure to check out Logan for the mat cutter after reading through the comments

[@Chris391971]

Sorry I’m late but I was watching the apple event.

[@charliethebubbles]

Excellent video, something I’ve always wanted to try. However I don’t know what the borders should be. Any tips?

[@back2lay]

Your wife is such a lucky lady 😂😂😂😂

[@arturoking577]

norman is that you

[@Daddy4rime]

Just bought myself at Canon Pro 100, and very excited to start doing this. Great idea, suggestions and insights Thomas!

[@fpcomparini]

too I made like s on garage band and thought it be easier in softsoft. nope

[@joepayne5697]

Don't usually comment on videos like this, but this is one of my favourite videos from you in a while (not to say recent content has been lacking, but this is certainly unique and interesting)

[@nomadcompany]

agreed

[@SteveP_2426]

Agree too

[@henrywilliam8506]

Have you considered using your infrared camera on astrophotography? The results may surprise you (in a good way.)

[@nickbailey9038]

charity shops are a great cheap source of frames.

[@lottesimonsphotography8675]

The micro print is obscenely cute! Thanks for reminding us that it's not all about going big to make a statement piece. Great video.

[@havocproltd]

Right!?! Now I know what to do with all of the mat board scraps!

[@aderixon]

From chastened experience, it's wiser to use a steel craft ruler with a grip for ordinary (not mat window) line cutting. The mat ruler is only aluminium and is easily damaged by a knife. Also, you neglected to highlight the no. 1 gotcha with the mat cutter: make sure the bevelled edge will face the right way (i.e. ensure the ruler is the right side of your line)! I think we've all carefully measured and trimmed a mount, only to then cut the window out back to front. Some of us (ahem) may even have done this more than once.

[@openroadfootprint]

or done it, and found one or two of the cuts was the wrong way ;) hahaha i remember my first one and i kept moving the mat to have the closest side to the cut, not realising i was therefore creating the bevel differently! :D actually took me a couple to realise I never kept it to the right each time!

[@havocproltd]

that's why I just went ahead and bought the whole mat cutting "thing". Just safer for me. The bigger stuff obviously needs different tools....

[@NickVenture1]

Now you can still learn and make your own analogue photo paper to skip the digital printer for good.

[@sebxiou-creatbus1927]

Great to see you teaching, again, Tom (as opposed to travelling / camping / feeding). Teaching is what brought me to your channel some years ago and I think it is when you are at your best. I love it when you are out in the field explaining how to photograph or at your desk, showing post-production. This is slightly different and great. Thanks.

[@ItsEzlan]

word of warning when selling stuff to MPB if they have LOTS of what you are selling you will get a very low price this has happened to me twice

[@dannyhead5287]

For the floating image, try doing a reverse bevel and the float-edge will not show.

[@littletodger7008]

I wonder if it is possible to gently chamfer the rough edges?

[@totoroutes5389]

When is going to be your next photography continent van trip?

[@andrewroland]

I thought I was watching Blue Peter.

[@neilt]

I would have mounted the print onto a larger piece of foamboard, and then cut it back to the edges of the print. That way you don't need to worry about accuracy in measurement. I think you might need to visit a jeweller before Christmas though 😁😁

[@MrAlexander1955]

Hi Thomas. I might not be saying your grandfather, but certainly a father. I have been following in silence for years all the videos that I love very much. Also I am a photographer, and also a dreamer painter. I have always framed, made the passepartout, and the frames by myself . Start with a Logan. You are a great artist, now you make fine art prints. I recommend acid free passepartout, as well as the supports where you paste the photos. All acid free. Since I really follow you all the time, in my small way I took the liberty of giving advice.Don't take offense.A warm greeting from a small island in Italy.Capri.

[@corydhmiller]

This was dope! Lots of creative ideas flowing. Thanks Thomas, you're the best.

[@MadsPeterIversen]

For your new years video, you could make a "My wife reacts to my home made fine art prints christmas gift" :D

[@stevemcguinness2646]

Great Video Tom, something completely different 👍

[@toeinthewater28]

Good tip about asking framers for offcuts. I had a crossstitch sampler to stretch and frame and was given 2 acid-free mounting board pieces, cut roughly to size, for a donation to their charity box! For fellow UK-ers, for that project I got a black box frame from ASDA. About £3 for a 10x8 inch approx picture. Thanks for the timely video, Thomas! Laura

[@Colinpowellphotography]

Wow!! Three pound from Wilco. Man, you must make a good living 🤣. I guess that's the mother in-law sorted for Christmas for the next three years. Seriously good one Tom.

[@fototripper]

I like those little mini prints. It would be utterly shameful of me to steal this idea...

[@Kate39813]

Really enjoyed this thank you, though I have to say I’m glad I’m not your wife 😂

[@daniel.lopresti]

Bit picky are we? 😜 (re. the diamond quip I take it)

[@Voyageurhorsdutemps]

Thank you so much for all your tips ✨✨✨✨ Great video an great photos✨✨✨

[@Autorange888]

You should not use adhesive foam board as you don't know the ultimate effects on the print. Digital prints are perhaps archival for 100 years, after that the image will disintegrate, lost forever. If you want archival prints use alternative processes, or baryt paper, fixed and washed, then toned with selenium. Chemists know these images will last for thousands of years. That's what archival means. Don't use glue when framing, you don't know what the long time effects are of the glue on the print.

[@mhc2b]

FYI - In the US, "mount" & "mat" are two different parts of the finished framed print. The "mount" is the backing board - that which the print lies on. The "mat" is the top portion, where you literally cut a beveled hole for the print to show thru.

[@robslusarphotography]

Ok. So much to unpack. Obviously I watched the whole thing and took many great ideas away..... But sliders and socks? in public?C'mon Tom!

[@jasonmach6548]

I really liked this video, I’ve been thinking more lately about what to do with the photos I’ve taken and it was helpful and interesting. Also, “you want to place the hamster down to keep it there” is the best instruction I’ve ever heard in a video 😂

[@itaylorm]

I really like the frameless technique. Really helpful demo thank you

[@xessytrooshie4732]

HELP 🤔how do you put own artwork that you drawed or painted and put it on top of a photo so its all unified USING COMPUTER AND PRINTER?

[@nickfanzo]

It’s even more special, if you print one of a kind prints…in the DARK. There’s a reason why galleries, achieves, and collectors want silver

[@SAQIBSAHI08]

THANK YOU!!! You have no idea how much tNice tutorials video helps!

[@kaneclements7761]

Thomas. Pencils. You might like the Faber-Castel TK-Fine Vario L 0.7. Very tasty. Also live the vid. Juts what I needed as I want to mount some prints soon.

[@RobSkovellPhotography]

Thomas, I thought I had a reasonably good workstation at home. My laptop & (2009) I Mac is well maintained and connected to my canon printer by wifi. However, try as I may the print is heavily banded and not very clear (slightly fuzzy) despite my cleaning the heads repeatedly. The inks I use a standard canon 570 ink cartridges from my stationary store and I’m using Ilford pearl A4 paper semi gloss. What should I do to improve the prints? Btw, many years ago I had an Epson 1270 printer and that produced amazing results. But I can’t buy epson printers in Melbourne anymore. Cheers. Rob.

[@ronboe6325]

Well done! And good luck living in the van after your wife gets her print........ :poke: Seriously; thanks for the good ideas. I think I can make use of them.

[@jeffholland7385]

Thomas, I am sure you will be glad to know, that for 50 of my 65 years, I have been mounting prints here in Oregon, USA. But do we on the Pacific know!

[@Stefan-oc9bo]

At first, very inspiring video thx Thomas. Could anybody (I couldn’t) find a link where to buy the used embosser?

[@paultrunfull3324]

One word of caution Thomas, when you give the misses that print either Duck or Run !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! hehe

[@havocproltd]

bravo! the floating print is genius! I've been screwing two tiny eyelets into a length of square dowel, adhering it to the back ( and another without eyelets towards the bottom ) and running some wire thru it - which hangs cool but does nothing to preserve the print. Now, I want anyone who lives in southeast wisconsin to pass over this part: 2nd hand shops are great places to find CHEAP used frames! next: i'm concerned about the suicidal manner in which you PUSH that Logan mat cutter! Much greater control and smoothness of operation PULLING it toward you. Also, the cutter has a "notch" to indicate where the blade is when it's pressed down into the mat. i have that same Logan handtool, I change blades on it as often as i do the mat cutter to avoid that nasty edge on the foamboard. I've had some success using a fine sandpaper to clean up that edge... some. But THANKS AGAIN for the floating print! Oh! is it me or would that wonderful Pro-1000 be better utilized with canon's Professional Print and Layout? I love that printer! Not the 4100 I really wanted but....

[@StephenMilner]

You don’t need to mark your Logan matte board cutter. It’s has an engraved mark on right hand side of it to show the cutting point.

[@samswift1718]

I do really like your work, but I think your devaluing your work by mounting them in in these ‘cheaper’ ways.

[@chrisogrady28]

Nice to see your pro1000 is still working, mine has taken a shit and there's no canon support anymore to come fix it. I dont know what I'm meant to do, it's a 35kg paperweight holding £500 of ink hostage

[@cruikshank]

I truly enjoyed this whole video. I need to refill the carts in my Canon Pro-10 and start making some art. Thank You

[@pathogan4854]

Great video Thomas you have my creative cogs turning ! I think IL photo a pair of Diamond earings and print and mount it for "her indoors " sorted.😀🤣

[@whitefootimages]

I create jigsaw puzzles, greeting cards, postcards, bookmarks, three sizes of calendar, tea towels, fridge magnets, key rings, canvas prints and books ... come on use those images

[@chinmoymurung7667]

I have watched most of your videos and they inspire me a lot in photography. I have a Canon 6D-2 and a 50mm lens; can you advise me, can I do landscape photography with this set up?

[@christiankirkenes5922]

Socks and sandals....I think our friendly limey might be a kraut XD

[@dummatube]

Crickey Tom that seems like a lot of work! Surely the usual and easiest way to get your photographic work classified as ‘Fine Art’ and become famous is to take passport style ‘head shots’ in front of a hung bed sheet using an 8” x 10” camera?

[@XtianApi]

Love the video, but that crap frame still looks like a crap frame, just with a great mount in it I like how he explains a mechanical pencil like it's something we don't know about, lol. I love my rotring, but if you want a mechanical pencil that really always has sharp look at kura toga pencils. The lead rotates as your writing

[@georgemacdonald5282]

Good video but could you ditch that annoying background music, please.

[@pjh2599]

yeagh right- rolling! Yes!! a video of difference, a video of creation, a video of arts and crafts. Yes sure and also a video of shite daft background 'music'.

[@satyajitdeb5661]

Hey Tom! any plans on getting your hands on the new "Hasselblad x2d 100C" ? 😃

[@Allthemusicmaking]

Mr Heaton, I want to thank you. You know, for years I struggled learning to drive. My instructors had no passion, then I met Rob. Like you, he was calm, clear and concise in his teaching. You remind me of him in so many ways. I've been a photographer for years and always wanted to make a living from it. I had zero comfidence. You're the first person I've found who exudes passion, which can't be trained. I'm on fire after watching this video. I'm actually excited again and my own passion has been ignited. Sincerely, thank you! Subscribed to you! 🙏

[@erkko69]

You have been stydying how to make more money on utube. This is the way to go. Not allways same same. You can do this so why not. Good job!

[@lorenzomariasantini]

This smells a lot like: " have to make gifts for my family, how can I mark it as a buisness expense?" Great videos and great ideas, I'll definetely use some of those!!!

[@PhouFoo]

as much as i like small prints, the standard digital print quality i get from my print shop is really nothing special. I doubt they are even able to print 300dpi even though they advertise it. I have some conact prints from large format that are almost 100years old and have much finer details, looks like 600dpi vs 150 if i compare to my typical digital print. I have not found a digital print service that advertises 300/600dpi and also achieves it.

[@debbiewitt7028]

Hi Thomas, I would love to see an updated video on your printing process are you still happy with the Canon 1000 and the baryta fine art paper? Do you buy the frame and do the install or do you outsource the framing? Thanks

[@dannyhead5287]

As the President of a matboard company, I find that my North American customers call them matboards and my UK and Australian customers call them mountboards.

[@jamesss1953]

Good to watch. Do you think you could produce a video purely on the Lightroom side ~ setting up to print. I already have my paper profiles and have printed out some images; but still get a bit lost at times 🥴

[@robertlavers1121]

Those acrylic sheets in cheap frames are dust magnets, and the bare mdf inside the frame just sheds tiny particles! So frustrating. If you need to replace scratched acrylic then the best way is to replace with glass from frameless clip mounts of the same size of the frame; just chuck away the backing board and clips. Whilst picking up mine in Hobbycraft I saw their frames have glass so I will bear them in mind in future. If you are cutting lots of mounts then a Longridge cutter is worth getting, once set up you can be dead accurate without fiddly pencil marking each mount.

[@jonathanclose618]

Well Heaton, no photography, no illegal camping, no illegal parking, no camping or cooking with Pompous Heaton, keep it up, the less photographic content the better all that's left to remove is the soap dodging. Not long to the BBQ

[@h4tim...751]

Lost like fuck ​♂️I don’t tNice tutorialnk I really got the patience for tNice tutorials I wanna punch my fuckin lap top so good rn if any producers read tNice tutorials please

[@JallenMeodia]

Make sure the easel is light weight, that way it causes less damage when thrown at you when given as a gift to your SO.

[@MichaelCortese1]

I used to use my Rotring 600 for notes in college. After 1 drop the tip was completely bent, but I bent it back. After doing this 4 more times I went to a lighter mechanical pencil lol

[@RB-yx6bc]

“Who needs diamonds”? Nobody, but that doesn’t matter. They “want” diamonds.

[@timclark6994]

All good but the ripped, ‘not pertfect’ sticky tape edges would have kept me awake at night!😊👍

[@diegaulle9143]

Logan has a brand called Foam Works. They have a foam cutter system with a dedicated ruler. Cuts come out perfect and you can trim the print together with the foam board.

[@ArthurFellig]

For anyone who is curious: In the US we say mount, but the cardstock used to frame up the work is referred to as a "mat".

[@colblimp]

MPB sold me faulty gear marked as excellent, 3 camera bodies and a lens. Avoid like the plague.

[@henrywilliam8506]

Have you considered using your infrared camera on astrophotography? The results may surprise you (in a good way.)

[@kazoosc]

mounting .. I think of Dry Mount, heat activated adhesive. but it could be done archivally with hinge tape or corners -- and either method could also include a window matte

[@sasha_in_chicago]

Long time viewer, think 1st time commenter. Thanks for the great ideas. I like the “in the field” videos but this was a great change of pace video.