When displaying your cherished photographs and artwork, the difference between amateur and professional presentation often comes down to one crucial element: the mount. A well-chosen mount can transform an ordinary picture into a stunning focal point, while poor mounting choices can diminish even the most beautiful images.
Understanding the relationship between pictures, mounts, and frames is essential for anyone looking to showcase their memories or artwork with style and sophistication. Whether you're decorating your home, preparing a gallery exhibition, or creating meaningful gifts, mastering the art of mounted framing will elevate your presentation game significantly.
Understanding Picture Mounts and Their Purpose
A picture mount, also known as a mat or matting, serves as the bridge between your image and the frame itself. This carefully cut piece of board creates a border around your photograph or artwork, providing both aesthetic appeal and practical protection. The mount prevents your picture from touching the glass directly, reducing the risk of moisture damage, sticking, and color transfer over time.
Beyond protection, mounts offer tremendous creative flexibility. They allow you to adjust the visual weight of your image, create breathing room around busy compositions, and coordinate colors throughout your space. A thoughtfully selected mount can make a small photograph appear more substantial or help a large image feel more intimate and approachable.
Choosing the Right Mount for Your Pictures
The selection process for picture mounts involves considering several key factors that work together to enhance your image's impact. Color choice remains one of the most critical decisions, as it can either complement your photograph's tones or provide striking contrast that makes certain elements pop.
White and cream mounts offer timeless elegance and work beautifully with most images, particularly black and white photographs or those with lighter tones. These neutral options won't compete with your picture for attention while providing clean, professional presentation. For photographs with warmer tones or vintage appeal, cream and off-white mounts often prove more harmonious than stark white alternatives.
Colored mounts open up exciting creative possibilities but require careful consideration. Deep blues can enhance landscape photographs featuring sky and water, while rich grays provide sophisticated backgrounds for architectural images. Black mounts create dramatic impact and work particularly well with high-contrast images or photographs featuring predominantly light subjects.
Mount Width and Proportions
The width of your mount significantly affects how viewers perceive your framed picture. Narrow mounts, typically ranging from one to two inches, work well for smaller images or when you want the photograph to dominate the presentation. These subtle borders provide necessary protection without overwhelming delicate subjects or detailed compositions.
Wider mounts, extending three to five inches or more, create commanding presence and work beautifully with larger photographs or when you want to make a bold statement. These generous borders can transform modest-sized images into impressive wall features while providing ample space for signatures, titles, or gallery information when appropriate.
Frame Selection to Complement Your Mounted Pictures
Once you've selected the perfect mount, choosing a compatible frame becomes the next crucial step. The frame should complement both your image and mount while harmonizing with your intended display environment. Consider the overall style you're trying to achieve – contemporary, traditional, rustic, or minimalist – and select frames that support this vision.
Thin, sleek frames work beautifully with modern photography and contemporary spaces, allowing the mounted image to take center stage. Wider, more ornate frames suit traditional or classical images and can add gravitas to formal portraits or landscapes. Natural wood frames bring warmth and organic appeal, particularly effective with outdoor photography or casual family pictures.
Personal Experience: Learning Through Trial and Error
Several years ago, I made the mistake of framing a series of family vacation photos without proper mounts, thinking I could save money and time. The results were disappointing – the images looked flat against the glass, colors appeared muted, and the overall presentation felt cheap despite using quality frames. After remounting the same photographs with carefully chosen cream-colored mats, the transformation was remarkable. The pictures suddenly had depth, the colors appeared more vibrant, and guests consistently commented on how professional the display looked.
This experience taught me that investing in proper mounting isn't just about aesthetics – it's about honoring the memories and moments captured in our photographs. The small additional cost and effort required for quality mounting pays dividends in both visual impact and long-term preservation.
Professional Tips for DIY Mounting
For those interested in creating their own mounted displays, several techniques can help achieve professional results. Always use acid-free mounting materials to prevent deterioration over time. Measure twice and cut once – precision in cutting mount openings makes the difference between amateur and professional appearance.
Consider double-mounting for added sophistication, where a thin inner mount in a contrasting color creates subtle layering effects. This technique works particularly well with formal portraits or artwork where you want to add visual interest without overwhelming the subject.
When positioning your image within the mount opening, remember that slightly higher placement often appears more balanced to the human eye than perfect centering. This technique, known as "museum mounting," creates subtle visual weight that enhances the overall composition.
Maintenance and Care
Proper care of your mounted and framed pictures ensures they remain beautiful for years to come. Avoid hanging framed pieces in direct sunlight, which can fade both photographs and mounts over time. Dust frames and glass regularly with appropriate cleaning materials, and inspect mounting materials periodically for signs of deterioration or pest damage.
Quality mounting materials and proper framing techniques create lasting presentations that protect your valuable photographs while showcasing them beautifully. The investment in professional-quality mounts and frames pays dividends in both immediate visual impact and long-term preservation of your cherished images.