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

[@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!

[@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! 🙏

[@tombekistan]

The Bob Ross of photography. Every bit whispers the love for the craft. And, in doing so, the joy of being alive.

[@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.

[@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

[@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!

[@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.

[@garrymacdonald5576]

I have that mat cutter and it's great. There is a line already engraved on the head at the back. This is what you line up for the start and finish off the cut. It can be seen in the video. It's a great video by the way, thanks for the great ideas

[@davidaylsworth8964]

Your point about printing photographs is well made. I’ve been printing and displaying my astrophotography for a while now. I saw a video of yours going back a few years and you opined then on the value of putting our work on a wall. Great message. Enjoyed the arts and crafts time with Tom. Thanks Sir.

[@yashanbasnayake4338]

Tom, your enthusiasm in this video is priceless!

[@heathersheldrick9751]

Thanks for doing this video - very helpful. I also agree that MPB is the Go-To place for trading gear. Their customer service is second to none.

[@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.

[@fotticelli]

In the US mounting is gluing the print to a mounting board which is a thick, stiff cardboard. It's done using, hopefully, archival materials both the boards and the adhesive. Most high end prints are mounted using hot mounting press and the adhesive which comes in thin sheets that melt and when heated and create a strong bond after cooling. The process is repeated for the mat. You can look up the exact numbers but the heat is within the range compared to an iron set to low heat (before it starts steaming), the pressure is 10-30 lb, and the time about 5 minutes. I don't think hot press mounting is used much anymore but that is where the vocabulary comes from. It was necessary for gallery work using old style photo sensitive paper which was coated with gelatin. Gelatin absorbed moisture and expanded at a different rate than the paper and caused the photograph to bulge or swell and required to be attached to a more sturdy medium. Modern high end inkjet papers don't have that problem and smaller sizes can be "floated" when framed. They are thick and stay flat.

[@Stone1108]

We’ll Done Thomas, I thoroughly enjoyed this video, a lovely twist on the Heaton format. What I also like is how it’s provoked so much input from your subscribers and viewers, it’s really engaged a lot of people from whom there is also some great advice on this aspect of photography which, let’s face it, we all to often forsake which is such a waste of terabytes, and some…, of images globally. Thank you Thomas and all. 👏

[@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

[@davidthomas670]

Best video you've ever done, Just brilliant.

[@johndub6543]

You know the difference between an amateur vs professional artist by the tool they use to sign their prints/mats. Good job.

[@coastalartistlivingonislan8395]

Nice to see the younger generation cutting matts by hand. It’s an important skill set to mat and frame your work. Many of us older artists were doing this back in the 1970s. Cutting mats with and exacto knife and metal ruler was a fun part of printing silver gelatin prints in the darkroom and completing a finished piece of artwork!

[@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.

[@scotty4418]

That was a pleasure to watch Thomas and it was fantastic to see another additional side to your craftsmanship

[@denisesavage2382]

Who needs diamond earrings - definitely an over rated gift alongside these ideas! Great ideas.

[@OllyHitchen]

I made 12 individual mini easels, one for each table at our wedding evening do by printing onto canvas inkjet paper and gluing them on thin foam board. Each pic was from a different place from our travels and the guests loved them. 😀

[@hankfoto]

Thank you! I like this idea print them up in different sizes, mount and price them. Once again thank you.

[@georgemacdonald5282]

Ive started to like the way the mount is a lot bigger at the bottom than the top, really nice, thankyou.

[@DJPixelList]

Super tutorial..especially the bit about cutting the bevel on the matt. Very informative video..thank you. David.

[@vincentkeith5259]

It's mounting in the US also. Mount board (the board(s) you mount the photo to - Matboard - the boards with the holes cut in them so you can see the image. I used to do all dry mount (a holdover from my darkroom days) - Then I switched to hinged & matted. Then I switched to frameless mounted on Di-Bond and laminated (most of these are 2x4 - 2x5 feet). The nice thing about DiBond is it's very thin, stiff, and absolutely smooth. The downside is finding a place that can trim it with smooth edges. And you really want to laminate the image for UV & dust protection - so it gets pretty expensive. Then I changed to floating in a frame (the largest was a 20x28 inch image). Where I finally landed was - floating is great for small stuff (say up to 16x20) - when you hit sizes measured in feet, frameless has some real advantages - but it's definitely a different, more "modern" look. In my floating images, I always left at least 1/2 inch free around the edges of the mounting board. Sometimes you get a tiny bit of wave to the paper- which I kind of like.

[@brianmckeever5280]

You just seem to be very relaxed and enjoying yourself. It's enjoyable to be taken along for the fun.

[@tduke91]

I was only thinking the other day that I don't have enough of my work on my walls and then...BAM!! your vid comes along. Inspirational to say the least I have just purchased all the cutting kit and will be off to the shops today. Thank you once again !!!

[@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....

[@michelleanntolentino163]

Just bought soft soft! So excited to get started!!

[@alanevans9246]

Thomas, Great suggestions! I know I get caught up in the frenzy of looking for one great image to print big which is expensive and more importantly, i never seem to find…. Years ago, when I first got started in photography, i did exactly what you spoke about today and your reminder as to how much fun it is to be that creative on a budget brought back lots of memories and has re-inspired me to start down this path once again! Thanks and as always, keep snapping!

[@stevemcguinness2646]

Great Video Tom, something completely different 👍

[@TomStrazulla]

Great tutorial. Addresses one of the hardest issues for me, moving the image from the computer to the print without compromising the image. Thanks.

[@royottaway9434]

Excellent Thomas , I like the small one on the easel and the emboss one .

[@rushl.workman7138]

Great idea and video. I've been framing my own prints for years. Some I give as gifts (birthdays, Christmas, etc) and other I do sell. I use Logan mat cutting equipment. They have excellent KZbin tutorials. I shop at Hobby Lobby, and get many items off eBay. What I do is buy frames at auctions (and yard sales) my wife attends for her antiques business. The frames range in all sizes and often sell for $3-$5 dollars US. Some even have interesting art or mats that can be reused. I've been very surprised at what I found. Sometimes I strike gold and the art in the frame is valuable and sells for many times the cost. The frames can be used as is, recut, and painted. The glass alone is often worth 2 or 3 times the $3-$5 frame cost (glass is expensive), but it is often easy, as you demonstrated, to cut a mat to fit the frame. For a man with your carpentry skills also re-cutting a frame to fit is easy for you. Logan also makes glass cutting tools, so you can recut the glass too. It is not as daunting as you might think. After a few practices you'll have it. Outside framing is expensive and adds a lot to the cost of the print you are trying to sell, and is often a deal breaker. I'm working on a couple of pieces now. It gives "you" a lot of creative freedom, and it might be a good form of recycling. As you say, "I waffle on on", but you are clearly on the right trail. YOUR GREAT WORK DESERVES FRAMING. UPWARD AND ONWARD.

[@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

[@nelehoremans2546]

great push towards printing and enjoying our own work Thomas! And the whole video made me instantly smile because of your enthusiasm!

[@Jeff-jg7jh]

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

[@heikoharders]

Hello Thomas, I enjoyed this video very much! A couple of years ago I invested in a printer and mat cutting tools. It adds so much more to the process! Nice to see a video showing this. I'd like to see more of this every now and then.

[@pauln44]

I finally picked up a printer a few months back and I've been thinking about mounting and framing. So thanks for this.

[@eileenconragan1064]

Thomas you are a riot and informative, too. So psyched cause I have been putting my time into printing and framing lately and I am so excited about it and I really enjoyed your ideas, etc. Cutting my own mats has given me such independence. When I had two simple mats cut at the store, I walked out paying $90. That was my motivation. I also purchased board but instead of self adhesive board (didnt know it existed) I bought a spray which is a bit tricky to use. My ultimate goal is to create frameless prints and mount them onto the board and then a stand-out frame that I would have to make from scratch. So many projects, so little time. Better buy her a diamond "something" - sorry that is a cute photo on the stand but doesnt quite cut it. 😃

[@daniscally770]

One of your best. I just sat here grinning the whole time. Thanks .

[@philipsutton8921]

It's funny how biggest is not always best. I liked the little one the most - it really stood out!

[@BalnarringMusos]

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

[@junerobinson8169]

What a brilliant video, I have learnt so much. Thank you for taking the time to show me how to do them.

[@JoshMainka]

Great video and kudos to mpb for reaching out to you. I've used them many times and they're an excellengt company to deal with.

[@zeballos5757]

Great video! Thanks. Love the one on the small easel.

[@user-oo5ik7jn1n]

Nice video again! For frameless mounting i use kapa fix. It ist also foam board with adhesive on one side. I cut them a bit lager than the photograph the put to the potograph on it and cut away the foamboard. Never tried to add a cardboard around the image. Willl try it.

[@Vaibhav_Shah]

I could watch this all day!

[@Boatzerama]

Excellent, I really like the floating photo in the box frame.📷👍🏼

[@davidskinner274]

Thomas, what a great idea, yes, I will be having a go at this

[@itaylorm]

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

[@bruce-le-smith]

Thank you for your service Hammy

[@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.😀🤣

[@debbscustomengravings5226]

MPB is very good. I have used them several times, mainly to buy lenses but also once to sell a lens. Great video, and some great ideas.

[@jasonbevan6275]

Thank you. I thoroughly enjoyed that video. I always try to finish my best photography with a print and those were really creative ideas for something new!

[@theohembury7249]

Very nice and different video. Pleased to see another print/framing video of yours

[@gonzphotographymusicchanne2855]

Brilliant, simply putting the fun back into photography, thank you Thomas we need more of this and less of the latest gear channels that are getting out of hand, love your vids always

[@havocproltd]

The fun!! darn tootin'! first I was just getting a kick out of giving friends prints! Then it was matting and framing. My son said NO MORE 17 x 22 prints of my granddaughter! Now, with retirement looming momma and i are thinking of loading up the RV and trying our hand at the farts and craps circuit!

[@stephenjuk8910]

I recently just got my Classic Collection set off prints from you. They look amazing!

[@danielwheeler423]

Great video Tom. One thing I think you missed about your 45° mount cutter - there is a marked line on the side of the cutter that is in line with the blade. If you position the cutter's marked line in line with your mount lines, that is where the blade will cut. Then you run the cutter along until the marked line hits the end of the mount line.

[@MrKrupp42]

They are superb mate , the floating one is spot on , looks so good !!

[@pjg1309]

I love that floating photo idea!! I will be doing this! Great job as well!

[@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.

[@samdensleyphotography]

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

[@liamivarsson]

got me so inspired to start doing this myself

[@LarryManiccia]

Good stuff! Love the floating print. Somethinng a little different for sure.

[@peterbuitelaar8543]

Nice work. I still use my Rotring 600 that I bought in the 1980’s but also some later models I bought are fine.

[@matesberka1697]

Thank you. TNice tutorials is really helpful. Much respect

[@tbillington]

I really like the offset mat idea

[@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

[@BradMangas]

Very enjoyable video Thomas. Thanks for the great ideas. Take care fella.

[@victor-ferreira]

Absolutely fantastic ideas!!! Thanks 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!

[@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 😂

[@neilcole3406]

Brilliant Thomas, some fantastic ideas for framing your prints at a reasonable affordable price!

[@tduke91]

Just a note re the tool if you look at the cutting tool there is a marker which lines up with the blade so you dont have to mark your channel guide. Look at your vid at 3.31 on the very right hand side and you can see it 😀

[@heiser_bill]

I’ve gotten pre-cut self-adhesive gator board, which I like because it’s rigid and can work well for frameless display. I’ve found foam board to warp if not secured in a frame. The only thing is isn’t not acid-free, so probably not suitable for using on work to be sold.

[@gary.kenyon]

Really enjoyed that Thomas. Great watch and lovely frames you made.

[@corydhmiller]

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

[@DavidHarrisGRI]

I enjoyed this more than I expected to. 😄

[@BILLYBADBACKTOO]

ha ha, who needs diamond earrings. Love it. Love the video too!

[@stevemeier7876]

Thomas ...looks so excited to be doing this....so funny to watch...lol

[@HydrateOften]

Great video! Thank you for sharing these ideas.

[@danielrossi6122]

HI Thomas thanks for the inspiration well done daniel

[@dannyhead5287]

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

[@venturebounty]

cool, I wouldn't mind more video like this.

[@andyallard5990]

That was excellent really enjoyable it’s good to see your skill set.

[@rogerdunn5988]

Top video. Makes a change from the usual excellent fare.

[@bobmayphotography]

My tips: Bin the perspex/glass you get with bought frames, and either used extra thick mounts or buy anti-glare perspex/acrylic cut-to-size. For large prints/photos eg 30" x 20" stick to the mount with 3M's Spray Mount.

[@georgecannon151]

This video is so great! I would ,I’ve more of these types of fun videos from you. Keep up the good work!

[@charlenenagel7962]

Wonderful video - I really appreciated the ideas! Thank you!

[@llewdis]

One of my favorites, thank you!

[@paulduckworth1121]

Great video Tom - really enjoyed it and it had some great tips, thanks.

[@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..

[@swirly_magnolia]

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

[@aslater4385]

That is so helpful, my assistant (Head of tripod carrying, framing and moral support) will be delighted to have more to do😊

[@justinta1607]

thanks for inspiring me to mat(mount) more of my work! it is something i've lost in touch with if i'm being honest

[@brianstark3578]

Thanks Thomas.

[@outdoorsinontario3037]

Very cool! Different and a good change up. Well done!

[@SebastianPastry]

Wasn’t expecting this and thoroughly enjoyed it!